What do find red wines, vintage clothing, oak aged whisky and a certain Jane Weaver all have in common? Well Andy Votel’s better half can now certainly be pinned onto that improves with age list, the former Kill Laura member on the road again following last year’s well received The Silver Globe.
Not well received enough however to merit a Mercury Prize nomination it seems as she herself notes mid way through the set.
Recreating that record’s intensely intimate, psych-fuelled productions may have proved a challenge for live jaunts, but Weaver and her four-piece band conjure just the correct dreamy, woozy synth-drenched chord as they take to the stage on a chilly Glasgow Friday night.
Indeed particular praise should be reserved for a fine band who are introduced to us a few numbers in; Brian Edward’s precisely demonic drumming and Raz Ullah’s delicate Korg contributions (referred to as ‘on sounds’ by Weaver) just as welcome as the beguiling vocals.
Even a cheeky Hawkwind sample is snuck in as a varied crowd in Tut’s marvel at the breathlessly rather riff tastic ’70s tinged ‘Electric Mountain’.
It’s clear that some of the older heads around tonight have followed Weaver from those Britpop era beginnings to the prog pop abstractions we are treated to these days; however unlike so many artists with such a back catalogue there is no need to veer much from The Silver Globe, such is the strength of this new material.
In fact only three songs outside this latest LP make the cut tonight but we don’t hear any objections as Glasgow laps up ‘Mission Desire’, a twisted cosmic disco journey that warms us all.
Prior to ‘Don’t Take My Soul’ we are challenged to dance by Weaver who is comically asked in a broad local accent “Are you askin’”.
Tambourine time has arrived for Weaver in between the usual organ/vocal duties during another set highlight, ‘Don’t Take My Soul’ manages to summon up the bopping requested, sounding fresh yet somehow classic all at once.
At this juncture we are informed to be approaching the up down erection section of proceedings (artist description not mine!) and unfortunately ‘Cells’ beautiful ballady waltz features vocals all too low in the mix to decipher.
That small niggle apart, we are treated to a performance of supreme quality from the English songstress, even the celestial motorik beats of an instrumental only ‘La Pomme D’Argent’ gaining seal of approval from those in attendance and features a third guitar from Weaver.
It is perhaps on ‘I Need a Connection’ that kraut pop opera is taken to sublime new heady heights; throbbing interstellar synths merge with a soulful acidic warmth capped to Weaver’s space-echo ethereal hums as she looks to the ceiling.
During a brief pause to proceedings Weaver enjoys a sip of wine and appears to be trying to convince herself it is OK to do so given this is Friday night, on this fine form we can only hope it was of the same excellent vintage as her good self, as surely as she continues to peak it has been earned.
Words: Andy Quigley
Photos: Warrick Beyers
