Skip The Budgie

After a lovely meal at a fantastic restaurant, I arrive at the Folk House somewhat tardy to witness Roger Tarry packing up and leaving the stage. I first saw Mr Tarry back in 2004 so if you want to know what I think of him, go back and read that review!

When The Superkings start, their first song is shambolic, confusing and I wonder what I've let myself in for. It seems as though it could be a great pop song, but they think it's 'cool' to play it raggedly. I worry that arriving early was a bad decision but my fears are quickly assuaged. Within a couple of songs I am hooked, the singer has a tremendous, jazz-crooning storytelling voice and that is what this band does, they are troubadours imparting dramatic, emotional stories occasionally punctuated by more straightforward piano pop songs.

A couple of weeks ago I had the good fortune to catch Scarlatti Tilt playing a promotional gig in Virgin Megastores in town. So this is the second time I see the band as a trio, sans guitarist. I'd always thought they were a bit too over-dramatic, out of proportion but now the songs are more spacious, the listener has room to breathe and the most important part of them is now Daisy Chapman's lovely vocals.

A lot of people say that Scarlatti Tilt are 'melancholy' for some reason. It's not melancholy, it's uplifting, sometimes a little bit aggressive and highly descriptive music. Song of the night is 'The Insect Party', which remains in my head for about a week.