Graham Coxon / Rescue Rooms / 17 May 2009Graham Coxon as a live performer always seems something of a contradiction. A man who comes across as shy, introverted and always in need of some do-me-good-soup and a cuddle isn't the man you would pick to stand on stage, soul on sleeve.
Just as well then, that despite appearances Mr Coxon really comes into his own live. And in playing The Spinning Top in full he even showed moments of confidence and his humble demeanor was spiked with wry wit.
There was a feeling of discovery about this gig. The album was released only a week before and many were unfamiliar with the pastoral background of this album. Those who were beginning to know this new turn though may have found that an extra, sometimes surprising, dimension was added from being live - Brave the Storm becoming more powerful, Feel Allright becoming danceable, Dead Bees almost claustrophobic.
Graham seems more at home with this material. His voice stronger and less prone to wandering. The technical ability, which alone would be an indulgent release, is matched by the strength of the songwriting.
To let this album stand alone allowed these songs the freedom and context needed for the haunting beauty and delicate refrain to shine and make sense. Each song was able to flourish, take on extra resonance, show a different side to that of the recorded version and as the album stacked up it began to become something bigger than it's component parts.
In places, familiar guitar freak outs verging on the discordent proved touchstones for those who came wanting the lo-fi electric Coxon. There was no Freakin' Out, no Spectacular, no Bittersweet, no Standing On My Own. Just a new album in its entirety, which most let into their hearts and went on their own journey in this sound.
(My big old whinge about disrespectful prannocks has been saved for another post)
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