Chris Helme has a career spanning almost 40 years. From busking in his home city of York, to international stardom in The Seahorses with John Squire during his sabbatical from The Stone Roses, forming The Yards and now solo. Tonight is the launch of his fourth solo album “Forest For The Trees”, a re-imagining of his back catalogue recorded acoustically. Armed with his trusty acoustic guitar, he sits on stage at the West Hampstead Arts Club, an intimate gig with almost a century of fans squeezed into the cellar to enjoy one of the finest voices on the circuit.
Chris opens the show with the Seahorses classic ( they are all classics ), “I want you to know”, his long-term collaborator, Simon Smaize, playing the Squire guitar riffs on an acoustic guitar, changing the dynamic of the songs and breathing new life. “All in our minds” from the album “World of my own” follows, a beautiful country folk ballad. The crowd appreciating the talent on display. Chris pauses to introduce “Love me and Leave me”, a song co-written by John Squire and Liam Gallagher. When on tour with Oasis, Chris asked Liam about the song and the Oasis frontman had no recollection of writing it. That’s Rock and Roll.
Chris has a wonderful voice, both powerful and fragile, he is completely comfortable with rock and folk. Light and shade. Running through his musical past he moves between solo and Seahorses and including a stripped down version of The Yards “Last High”.
After frequent re-tunings, his guitar may need to go wherever old guitars go to, which is generally called the spare room. Equipment aside, there is a warmth in the venue. The songs are well crafted and performed with real sensitivity. Chris and his acoustic band finish the set with “You can talk to me”, to great applause from the appreciative audience and whistles from one particularly excited fan.
The band soon return ( there can’t be too much room behind a curtain ) for an encore. They start with a wonderful rendition of the Soledad Brothers “ Lorali” . Chris makes this song his own and it is a real highlight of the set. Finishing the night with a song that was inspired by the lack of window dressings in his Brighton flat, “Blinded by the Sun”. It moves to other subject matter than solar glare, but a true artist can create from the prosaic and Chris Helme is truly an artist. They finally leave the stage with Chris spending time with fans post gig. He is as amiable as he is talented. If he is passing your way on his current tour, get a ticket, you will not be disappointed.
