GIG REVIEW: James Yorkston [Backstage Pass]

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GIG REVIEW: James Yorkston

Posted on August 20, 2008 4:39 PM
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James Yorkston
The Roundhouse, Tuesday 19th August.

Review by Joan Losa
Photography by Marcos de Miguel

Last night, James Yorkston turned up with five musicians, something unusual for the singer/songwriter, as he told fans yesterday night. If it is exciting to see the Scottish musician accompanied only by his acoustic guitar, it goes without saying that to listen to his songs colored by a clarinet, violin, double-bass, accordion and drums in the beautiful and legendary Roundhouse, it was bound to be an unforgettable night.

In front of a cabaret seated audience, James Yorkston & The Athletes played the new tunes from his brand new album ‘When the Haar Rolls In,’ including a handful of songs in which Yorkston revived his peculiar beauty and pathos of his previous albums, but this time with balsam and a lush arrangement of all kinds.

‘It is fuckin’ brilliant’ warned Yorkston of his new album, merging an ironic tone with subtle sincerity

After a restrained start guided by Yorkston’s literary lyrics and rich arpeggios, the band took the leading role finding the climax in the version of Lal Waterson’s “Midnight Feast”, a sing-along piece and counterpoint for a quiet and passionate night.