Watching the girls go by. Watching the scantily glad girls go by while you walk into a lamp post. Suffering a mild case of concussion from the collision, Bluesbunny decided that it was time to seek safety in a basement. When looking for basement, an alley is a good place to start. Staggering through the alley on which the Truffle Club resides (how did I get there…), Bluesbunny heard music and followed it into the basement at O'Henrys. A Break Out The Jams promotion, apparently.
Ah, Sparrahawk. A face well known to the Bluesbunny. He does songs but not tonight. Tonight it is 100% poetry. Poetry in Glasgow on a Saturday night? Clearly he is a madman but we respect that. "Feral Children" will certainly make you think even if you can't see the link between poetry and drink. He's a showman too and gets right out there amongst the audience. Maybe his insanity is infectious as people actually clap along with his rantings of which "Buckfast Bill" (aka the tale of the empty wallet) impresses the most. If you were not drinking before you went in, you will be driven to drink by Sparrahawk. He's a star but not as we know it, Jim!
Keeping it quirky - though superficially he appears a normal singer songwriter - is Edinburgh's Jym Ponter. He attacks his guitar with verve and even takes a string out during an outburst of pure emotion. No doubting his stage presence or his ability either. Half the time, you have no idea what he is singing about but he does so with conviction. His lyrical style is that of obscure metaphorical poetry that requires a fair amount of your attention to fully appreciate. Thinking he is just another drawling Dylan influenced singer songwriter does not do him justice although the casual listener may draw that very conclusion. Jym Ponter should consider himself added to the very short list of good things that have come from Edinburgh.
The Sweetheart Revue are on next. Squeezing five of them into the corner of O'Henrys is a bit of a squeeze but they make a big sound. The best thing about then is their subtlety. Their songs flow well and you are really not immediately aware of just how wee they have glued things together. Lead singer Gerard is a mellow kind of guy. So mellow that he barely seems to break sweat in fact. But there is this cello player. Barely visible from the Bluesbunny vantage point, she underpins this band's sound. Besides the whole cello playing thing, her voice intertwines with that of the one called Gerard to create something that is truly good for the soul. Bluesbunny is sold on this one.
Last on tonight is Lamens Terms . Visiting from Falkirk, this duo also have a bit of magic about them. They have a nervous energy to their performance that is balanced with some truly immaculate musicianship. The benefits of extensive practice in the Bluesbunny's opinion and that very approach makes them sound so much bigger than a duo should. Sarah's vocals are understated but it all comes together perfectly. Perhaps it does not make a lot of sense to state something like that but it is the overall effect that is important here. They also understand how to put together a good song too with "One Kiss" just jumping right out at us. You really have to hear them to appreciate just how well their sound works. Lamentably, they played to a very small crowd tonight. Might just have been the season but they deserve a much bigger audience.
Just remembered, you might not understand the reference the Truffle Club. The Truffle Club - a fantasy land where women ask you for money and then take their clothes off. As opposed to the real world where women just take your money and then make you watch them wearing furry pyjamas. Choice is a wonderful thing. Now you see why men spend their time watching football down the pub. Oh yes we do! That is where we are. Really!
Photos courtesy of Break Out the Jams