The Cockpit is typically crowded as we enter, a few minutes before James Yorkston & The Athletes take the stage. They come on and introduce themselves, saying that they're glad to be anywhere but Fife. They are a 3-piece: guitar, double bass and a third guy playing squeeze box and slide guitar. It's gentle, country-influenced music, which, I have to say is somewhat mismatched with M&B'S soul-influenced rock.
I can't really see much audience crossover and whoever was thinking they'd be appropriate needs their musical knowledge looking at. It's not that they're bad, beacuse they're not, but they just don't fit in this environment: they need some smoky pub somewhere on the edge of town, or better still in the middle of nowhere where the audience can appreciatively clutch pints of Guinness or mild to their chests and listen to some authentic music. But, for this, they are about as well-matched as McAlmont & Butler would be at a National Front benefit gig.
The first song goes on forever; the band clearly communicating with each other, but judging by the conversations going on stage-front, not with the crowd. At the song's end, the bassist calls for the fan at the side of the stage to turned off. The second song also goes on too long, and the band are looking despondent. At the end of this song, James Yorkston calls out: "Fuck this for a game of soldiers, we're playing one more song for ourselves and then we're off!" Charming, but not unexpected if you'd looked at their body language, facing away from the audience and sulking. I was willing to give them time until this moment of petulance and had indeed been telling my wife I thought the were pretty good. However, now I think they're just spoiled brats and can't see them lasting the tour as they don't deserve it.
After a short break, McAlmont & Butler come on to rapturous applause. They both exude star quality and the band have the air of seasoned pros, out to do a good job. They open with "Theme", which, if you've not heard it, is Isaac Hayes-style funk - a mix of choppy guitar and strings. It's a great opener - and indeed it opens the new "Bring It Back" album - and the crowd go wild. Bernard and David throw rock shapes - no tantrums thrown here tonight! Next up is "Can We Make It", a classic soul-sounding track, followed by "Different Strokes"; not sadly a cover of the American sit-com theme, but a great, Motown-y, feeling song, with classic written all the way through it.
This is a seasoned performance. Generous to a fault, they are holding the audience in the palms of their hands. Bernard is a great guitarist and David has a voice that, to be honest, I've not heard the likes of live before. It puts all the other singers I've heard on stage before to shame. It's ultra-professional, rich and varied. It doesn't sound like it belongs to someone playing small venues like The Cockpit - it belongs in huge concert halls. We feel priveleged to be witness to them in such intimate surroundings - particlularly as we're at the front, under their feet.
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More excellent tracks from their two albums are worked through, before they finish off with "Falling" - a totally classic pop song with a vocal to die for. It's similar to "Yes", but sufficiently different to not cause accusations of treading water on their return. They pop off briefly to return for the encores.
If the show was a display of professionalism, then the encores are a display of uncalled for generosity. David and Bernard pop back on alone and stroll to the edge of the stage, looking for places to park their bums; David looking for a towel to protect his jeans. "There's no way I'm sitting down here, these are Gucci....it's nice being in Leeds, especially when there's a Harvey Nicks! It's been a lovely reception...we'll definitely be back," he says, by way of an introduction to what, for me, is the highlight of the night.
As they sit there, I realise I can get even better shots than I got earlier in the set and frantically start to delete images from the card on the digital camera to make space. Bernard sits right in front of me and watches me fiddle with the buttons. "Are you ready now?" he asks. I hope I've not upset him, but it seems he's genuinely waiting as he's seem what I'm up to. Thanks Bernard: once again showing what a generous pair of performers you are.
They play "Blue", a beautiful acoustic number, followed by "Zoom" by FAT LARRY'S BAND, an inspired cover, showing off David's vocal range. "If You Want" continues he gentle stuff - Bernard's playing being exquisite, matched only by the singing.
The band return for a cover of "Back For Good" ( yes - the TAKE THAT song) from the "Warchild" album and finish with "Yes". It's a fantastic night and one of the most polished performances you'll ever see. It's slick, without being too commercial and intimate without being twee. I suspect next time they'll be playing somewhere much bigger, assuming they stick together this time. Here's hoping to that. Thanks.
Set List:
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THEME/ CAN WE MAKE IT?/ DIFFERENT STROKES/ WHERE ARE YOU NOW?/ ALTHOUGH/ SUNNY BOY/ TONIGHT/ YOU DO/ WHAT'S THE EXCUSE?/ BRING IT BACK/ FALLING. Encores: BLUE/ ZOOM/ IF YOU WANT/ BACK FOR GOOD/ YES.
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