I heard a song whilst walking along the streets of Glasgow. It was “When You Walk In The Room” which was a hit for The Searcher and for Jackie Shannon way back when. Talking of way back when, tonight’s final destination was Ivory Blacks and the occasion was the 20th Anniversary of Stealth Studios and providing the musical entertainment tonight were The Sound of Water, The Eisenhowers, Ruth Campbell, Ferri & The Fevers, Lemontree and Rowan J Parker.
Anyway, when you walk in the room, what do you expect to hear? Probably not a one man prog rock extravaganza burning up the frets like a man simultaneously possessed by the spirits of a keyboard player, a drummer and, way out front, a guitarist. That man was Rowan J Parker and research indicated that he is known for being good with a guitar. That might be something of an understatement.
Next up were Lemontree and, as if to inspire the adoration of the cappuccino crowd, they performed a set which featured covers of songs adapted most eloquently into the jazz style and they duly proved themselves to be tempo shifting snakes unafraid of climbing their way up a chord decorated ladder.
Another change of style next. Ruth Campbell is a Christian chanteuse of some repute to such an extent that even I had heard of her. Traditional folk influences were skilfully used to add musical seasoning to the purity of her message yet it was that unadulterated purity in her voice that would make you believe anything that she might choose to sing to you.
Yet another change of style. This time, those classic garage rock influences were once again exorcised and, with much in the way of energy, Ferri & The Fevers duly riffed and stomped their way through a set of somewhat raucous songs elevated by smarter than you might expect lyrics. Definitely a band to add to your play loud and drink beer playlist.
Shuffle the band about time next as assorted members of previous bands joined Raymond Weir to metamorphose into an ad hoc version of The Eisenhowers. Known as one of limited numbers of purveyors of intelligent pop songs in Glasgow, The Eisenhowers gave us not only songs of lyrical literacy but also a cover of an ELO hit. That’s the kind of approach that works well all over the world.
Shuffle the band about again and add Ross Alcock – formerly of H20 – and the stage was now filled with The Sound Of Water. Melody and sentiment were very much evident with Ruth Campbell turning “Pirate’s Gold” into a song that might distract you from your need for food and water (but not beer, obviously). Although apparently as ad hoc as The Eisenhowers were, The Sound of Water slickly moved forever forward and ended their set with a cover of “Mr Blue Sky”.
That a recording studio in Glasgow can last 20 years is notable and that owner and operator Eddie Macarthur has worked with all of the above musicians (and survived) is indeed something to celebrate. If I had a heart - which I don’t – I might even have become emotional. Time, therefore, to walk out of the room.