26 September 2018 (gig)
29 September 2018
KT Tunstall’s Jazz Café set is a surprisingly rock centred showcase of her forthcoming album Wax.
The evening opens with ‘If Only’. Vocally it sounds like something out of Alanis Morissette as KT hits the high notes. In the sold-out setting, the originally midtempo tune is Jacked up to a proper rock number.
The Scottish singer is set to release her next album, Wax so, is keen to showcase its assets.
One of these new offerings is the moody ‘Human Being’. An angsty vibe is aided by the roaring throaty sound of the bass guitar and flashing lights that are reminiscent of a theme-park dark ride.
In keeping with the high-octane start fellow newbe ‘Backlash & Vinegar’ also comes ready to rock via the 80s. Tunstall appears to make a passing reference to Pat Benatar after the song and if you take a moment to listen to the acoustic version, you can really hear the Benatar-esque gravel in her voice.
At first thought, the idea of KT Tunstall embracing rock will come as a surprise to the casual observer. But, albums like 2016’s Kin have seen the ‘Suddenly I See’ singer embrace radio friendly pop and Wax looks to be the next step in her musical evolution.
The record produced by Franz Ferdinand’s Nick McCarthy, is also distinguished as the second LP in a trilogy of works. Promotion for the album reveals that the three instalments:
“explores themes of spirit, body, and mind. This album focuses on the body, and our complex relationships with physicality.”
While sonically, the new material proves to be engaging, as is often the case with live venues, instruments overpower the vocals. This makes it annoyingly difficult to appreciate the message behind the lyrics. Nevertheless, songs like ‘The River’, with its bright keyboard intro and Bob along guitar soundscape, makes the forthcoming album an intriguing prospect.
Having played the likes of the Isle of Wight, Glastonbury, and even the Wickham Festival the Brit award winner is relaxed when talking with the crowd. Tidbits include, info about the meaning and the method behind new songs, an awkward onstage German lesson, and the tale of how the Scott killed her own hit song whilst in a California karaoke bar.
The singer is a cordial host and one who the crowd are happy to be spending the evening with. As you would expect they, cheer or whoop their appreciation, and more irritatingly call out the punchline to one of the artist’s funny stories.
As we reach the midway point of the set, the backing band clears the stage to allow a short acoustic changeup, with ‘invisible Empire’. It’s a welcome rest from the raucous rock-oriented set to a gentler number. This allows strong vocals to shine through as well as the lyrics to be heard.
The gears shift again, as the audience is treated to a standout rendition of ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’. A standout, not least because the crowd favourite includes a kazoo homage to ‘Seven Nation Army’ by the White Stripes.
Other highlights from the session include, the feel-good anthem ‘Push That Knot Away’, the fiery ‘Run on Home’(complete with David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’), and the lively rework of ‘The Healer’.
Ultimately, the night proves to be an excellent appetizer for the album to come and most importantly sends the patrons home happy.
