Banks. If all banks were to be destroyed, the world would be a better place. Finding myself in an undesirable financial predicament, I sought to blur my woes in a couple of pints of Guinness (wise move, dumbass!) at The Free Candy Sessions, held at the Liquid Ship. Buy now, pay later?
I wasn't looking forward to the struggle that is as much a mental struggle as it is physical; refraining from glancing at the liquor on the shelves behind the bar. Nor was I expecting to see Washington Irving. These local lads are more than just snappy dressers. Boasting a bongocero (look that one up), the group toy with a brand of indie-folk that is just nice. I mean, the bongo is no washboard, but it's not bad. "I Love It Here" was raw and pretty; I guess it came naturally. A rendition of the lesser-known Pogues gem "Lullaby of London" almost became their own, if only for those four minutes. Washington Irving seemed to bring a fair portion on the crowd, and going by this performance, it's easily to understand why.
Neil Sturgeon had a tough act to follow as he himself acknowledged. However, this old head is no stranger to the Glasgow circuit, as this set showed. Sturgeon looked in his element as he delivered a set of emotive folk songs. "I Wish I'd Never", for one, is an intimate and clever song that many will be able to relate to. His set only got better when he invited a former bandmate - name of Deborah - to assist with vocals and percussion. While Neil is unlikely to take over the world anytime soon, performances like this exemplify what music is about. Neil may be a Partick Thistle fan, but don't let that put you off.
You really have to feel for The Salon Society. It just didn't happen for them. While songs like "Jasmine" really allow the lovely Roxanne to come into her own, it just wasn't the most interesting of sets. There's life in this act that wasn't on show tonight. Having heard many a good word about the Salon Society's live performances in the past, this wasn't the set I had anticipated. There is definite appeal in their dramatic, dark sound, but the light wasn't shining this night.
A touch of brandy later, and I was gone. There. Couldn't resist. Single measure. No pakora. Good music. Good beer. Good night.