26 July 2007 (gig)
29 July 2007
When former Belle and Sebastian player Isobel Campbell teamed up with ex Screaming Trees Front man, and sometimes member of Queens of the Stone Age, Mark Lanegan more than a few industry eye brows were raised. However, Ballard of the broken seas proved to be such a hauntingly good account of dangerous love that it earned the album a Mercury Music Prize nomination and much critical acclaim to boot. Even more intriguing for me though was the prospect of the album being recreated in a live environment, especially tonight’s concert hall surrounding on London’s South Bank.
The audience for tonight’s show is arguably as eclectic as it will get at such a straight laced venue and just seems to add to the whole randomness of the evening. Lurking in the foyer before me is a strange mix of hardcore Screaming Trees grunge veterans, Queens of the Stone Age stoner followers and indie square hair-cutted Belle and Sebastian fans. Quite surreal indeed!
The show meanders between solo material from both artists as well as tracks from the aforementioned album. '(Do you wanna) come walk with me’ and 'The circus is leaving town’ are Lanegan classics, his gravel pit beaten vocal abandonment contrasts well against the innocent and sweet melodies of Campbell. The enchanting 'Saturday’s gone’ hone Campbell’s piercing voice to perfection whilst the upbeat 'Honey child what can I do?’ is equally stark and honest.
Campbell and Lanegan are clearly a little unnerved by the whole event this evening, they even seem a little awkward in each others company at times. I can not help think that this kind of album is sometimes too difficult to recreate in a live environment and to a certain extent that has been the case tonight. That said, a good gig none the less.
