What better way to celebrate World Poetry Day than listening to the literacy and poetry of one of Scotland’s most respected singer songwriters.
James Grant, throughout his long and varied career, has taken the road rarely travelled from Castlemilk to New York City. Now he is on the road from north to south, touring literally the length of Scotland, taking in venues both rural and urban as he goes. The Love and Money frontman calls on his extensive back catalogue for his gig at a hidden gem of a venue, Universal Hall in Findhorn.
Scotland isn’t short of talented singer songwriters but vanishingly few have a voice with such astonishing range and power. It has the ability to transfix and transport an audience. Add some melodies both elegantly simple and intriguingly complex, to some poetry, levity and Glaswegian Patter. The result is unmissable.
His smooth, soulful baritone is as pure, polished and beautiful as the sea glass found on these northern shores.
His songs provide an embarrassment of riches, and the show reflects this, ranging from “State of Art” from his time with Friends Again, to Love and Money classics and many of his outstanding solo works.
“I was a bit of a flibbertigibbet, flouncing from band to band.” he admits wryly. Grant’s love of collaboration continues. His latest musical adventure, hot on the heels of the highly successful BBC Quay Sessions is the Halleluiah Strings: less of a band; more of a rock and roll orchestra.
Meanwhile at Findhorn the themes of sex and death are never far away. Particularly cimmerian is the bleak and complex “My father’s Coat”. It is made less misanthropic by the light hearted banter about his nonagenarian father. The video for this much admired song stars the late and truly great literary giant William McIlvanney.
“Sometimes I want to Give Up” lifts the tempo if not the sentiment, and sets the scene for “Last Ship on the River”. Its framework of solid, Clyde-built rhythms is tempered by the soaring, silken vocals.
So, what to expect from the rest of the tour? Sublime music, finespun lyrics, laughter, tears and lots of swearing. Just your typical night out in Scotland.