Review By Darren McIntyre
Barry Adamson is a pop / rock musician / composer / writer / photographer / film maker who came to prominence in the late 70’s as a member of post – punk band Magazine. Barry was raised in Moss side, Manchester but found his solace in music and has been fortunate to work with the likes of The Buzzcocks, Visage, Pete Shelley & Nick Cave & The Bad seeds, Adamson has also worked on many film scores and other projects but music is his happy place. Barry has given us 10 studio albums which includes his new offering Cut To Black, to coincide with the new release Barry is out on tour atm and brings his soul train to King Tut’s in Glasgow, please join me as I take us through this fantastic night of spoken word, blues driven, guitar laden music that will certainly grab our attention for sure. The place is packed to the rafters as the house PA fades and the lights dim, enter the strapping figure of Barry Adamson and band as they get a rapturous round of applause. Barry cuts a fine figure in his velvet jacket and killer hat as he bellows out Hello Glasgow as we holler back, he plugs in chats with the band and off we go, first to hit us is –
These Would Be Blues – The backing track oozes through the speakers as Barry steps up to the mic and lets his spoken lyric take this track onwards. The sweet backing vocals add depth to this fantastic track as we just stand in awe of this towering musician as he lights up King Tut’s with his epic tale, the sweet clean guitat picks are letting the track build as we get a nice cool rhythm section that allows this track to breathe. The bass is dropping colossal funk tones all through the track as the cool arrangement builds and builds as Barry lets us feel the delicious tone wander freely through this iconic venue tonight as the place goes nuts for this ultra cool musician as he takes us through our paces with this classy opening piece, the place is buzzing and waiting to erupt as Barry takes us into
Manhattan Satin – Barry steps forward and tinkers with his keypad as this funky groove laden piece unfolds as the rhythm section brings cymbal snaps that just give this track depth. Vocals are just awesome as we feel the soulful melodies wander effortlessly through King Tut’s tonight as a deep funking bassline drops killer grooves that let the track open and really grab our attention, the place is bopping along to this charismatic seasoned musician as we just tap our feet to this dark, delicious arrangement as we get a real heavy ended tone that is dropping cool tones all through the venue tonight. The funky bass is wrapping itself around us and bringing a tasty tone that really lets us feel the funk element running at us tonight. Barry stops to chat and thanks us for coming out and showing him and his band some love as we holler and cheer as he takes us into
Demon Lover – The rhythm section enters the frey with a cool snare drum beat that has bass kicks and cymbal snaps that just allow this track to bring us a soulful beat. The bass is handing us deep full on blues filled tones that just elevate this funky foot tapping track to the next level, Barry lets his soulful vocals take this track down the road as the delicious tone grabs us and lets us feel the intensity crashing the party right here in the heart of Glasgow tonight. Vocals are just incredible as they deliver a meaty funk laden lyric that reminds us of being in a smoke filled jazz club that is presenting us with the main act as he drives his fantastic vocals through the venue tonight, the place is going mental as they just feel the groove take over King Tut’s tonight, up next is
Cut To Black – Barry brings his title track to us tonight as the deep pounding bass kicks let this soulful melodic number spring into life as we get a cool funk laden groove. The spoken lyric laden track just wraps itself around us as we just float off and feel the tone deliver a delicious number that has all the ingredients to make a foot stomping, dark, groove laden number that has us all swaying from side to side, the band are hitting us with sweet cool bass tones that work perfectly with a cool dark rhythm section that is keeping the gig on track with classy kicks and deep snare drum beats, Barry hits his keypad and brings sweet synth like tones that just let this track tell it’s own story, the place erupts in a wall of applause, whistles and hollering Glasgow dialogue that Barry mistakes for banter lol, up next
The Beaten Side Of Town – The rhythm section comes in with snare drum rolls as the cymbal snaps let this dark grooving arrangement break free. Barry’s colossal blues soaked vocals flow freely into the track as this fantastic piece really gives it to us, the tone is sweet and has swagger that is wrapped in epic basslines that just allow the groove to wrap itself around us as we feel the sultry vocals take us to another place as Barry delivers colossal vocal that work well with the band as they plough through this jazz laden groover track and just take us on that journey as Barry snaps his fingers to give this track a real edgy jazz touch as we stroll into –
Sundown County / Hot Love – A slick toe tapping groove awakens from the back of the room as snare drum punches flow from the stage as the bass kicks get us moving. The bassline is handing us meaty funk grooves as the track breaks free and lets us go along for the ride as Barry brings his soulful bluesy vocals to this groove laden arrangement as the place just watches the stage as the tempo changes pace for a bit as Barry steps forward and offloads witha sweet, crisp solo that fills the room with intense, crisp grooves that are just letting the crowd sing along and just get into the gig and let this fantastic musician deliver a phenomenal show that leaves us wanting more from this killer musician, Hot Love eases towards us as the crowd feel the track pour from the stage as the band just hit overdrive and really give us a nice rendition that sets us up well as we stroll into –
The Climber – Barry pulls up a chair and rests his weary bones as he brings a touch of blues to tonight’s gig with real melodic soulful vocals that are wrapped in a sweet snare drum beat. that just brings the place to silence as he just brings it. The soulful melodic vocals are reaching every corner of this fantastic venue as we just stand and savour the tone and sweet groove that is coming for us tonight, bass tones are wrapping themselves around this soulful track as Barry just digs deep and brings a touch of class to tonight’s fantastic show as we really get caught up in the intense, mellow show that has been nothing short of spectacular, coming up is –
Straight Til Sunrise – Dark soothing piano tones are hitting us as Barry lets his melodic blues vocals get this track off the ground as we just let this track breathe. The colossal deep bassline is dropping killer grooves all through this sweet toe tapping track as the band comes together and delivers a tight, on point beat that lets us feel the funk groove drop delicious tones all through this fantastic toe tapping classy track. The place is dancing along and just enjoying the whole experience of this real doozie of a show that is ONE OF MY GIGS OF THE YEAR for sure, the place is going bananas as Barry, Kiya & Ian deliver a well rehearsed set that is full of depth, tone and killer tracks that deserve to be heard, up next –
Midnight – Barry again hits the keys as a sweet deep snare drum beat oozes from the stage as the bassline hands us a cool funky meaty groove that is just lifting this gig to another level for sure. The vocals are smooth, deep and have bags of swagger as this punchy blues beast lets us stand back for a bit and let the groove wander freely through the venue as the band hit us with a clean epic toe tapping track that instantly puts us at easeas we clap along and really let this guy take us to somewhere else with this deep funking tone that is swirling above us tonight before we stroll into –
The Last Words Of Sam Cooke – Punchy snare drum beats let this groover come to life as the bass kicks let this awesome track give it to us as we get all funky and fresh with this awesome arrangement. The place is all funky and feeling the groove as Barry lets his melodic vocals run freely through this iconic venue tonight, we get a cool mellow bassline that drops epic neat tones all through the arrangement as Barry steps up and offloads with sweet, crisp guitar licks that are just on the money. The whole place is moving and shaking as Barry just brings it and then some, we are reaching the business end of the show as we roll into –
Civilisation – A real funky foot stomping groove wanders into the venue as we get killer snare drum punches that really take this track to another place. Basslines are hitting us with solid, meaty funk grooves that really give this track depth and attitude as the place watches the stage and really lets Barry take us down the road. The rhythm section is bringing the heat as the killer beats bring cymbal snaps that just allow this track to open and soar as the crowd join in and get all funky and feeling the groove take us along for the ride, coming at us –
Still I Rise – The rhythm section gets us underway as we get a real deep pulsing beat that lets Barry bring his spoken lyric laden track to us tonight. Gritty guitar riffs are ripping through the venue as this real thought provoking piece builds and builds as we just get into the groove of Barry Adamson, we are feeling the intensity that comes with this gritty groover that is almost beat boxing driven, the night finishes with the colossal dark melodic groover –
Jazz Devil – The sampler tones are erupting from the stage as Barry sets out his stall and lets this epic track burst into life as we get cool synth laden tones to get this track moving. The epic spoken vocals are holding all our attention as we watch this colossal musician bring this blues ravaged number to life with sweet tones that are just incredible, we are witnessing one of the best gigs you will see this year as I stand side stage and feel the energy ripple from the stage as Barry kicks in the doors and lets us wander freely with him as he takes us home with this colossal arrangement that just pops
Barry Adamson –
Barry – Vocals / Guitar / Keys
Ian – Bass / Backing Vocals
Kiya – Drums
Setlist –
These Would Be Blues
Manhattan Satin
Demon Lover
Cut To Black
The Beaten Side Of Town
Sundown County
The Climber
Straight To Sunrise
Midnight
The Last Words Of Sam Cooke
Civilisation
Still I Rise
Jazz Devil
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