Writing this was a real chore. Having been won over by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's Celtic Connections appearance earlier in the year, I was desperate to see him perform again when I discovered that he had already announced a UK tour with Trembling Bells. I'm a fan of the band and would even go so far as to describe their last record 'The Constant Pageant' as a 'keeper'. The news seemed too good to be true. I vowed to review their Edinburgh date and fired off a series of calls and emails to the venue, trying to clear a guestlist place with their unresponsive marketing man. This was such a tedious and disheartening process that by the time my request was granted, my buzz had been pretty much killed. It didn't help that the concert generally fell short of my lofty expectations. I barely felt moved to write anything about the night, yet produced 300 words as a point of honour! I have a terrific work ethic.
The original review can be found here.
Trembling Bells with Bonnie 'Prince' BillyThe Queen's Hall, Edinburgh25/4/12***1/2
Will Oldham’s involvement in this show has been publicised with a degree of caution. A collaboration between him and Glaswegian psych-folk torch bearers Trembling Bells, he performs only a couple of tracks from his sprawling back catalogue and reins in his usual onstage theatrics in favour of a more subservient role. Drummer Alex Nielson is the main creative force at work tonight and if some Bonnie 'Prince' Billy fans are initially disappointed, it soon becomes clear to them that the young man's sensibilities are entirely analogous with those of their hero.
Working their way through the majority of this year’s ‘Duchess’ EP and the newly released ‘The Marble Downs’, the collective’s set hinges on the arresting interplay between vocalists Oldham and Lavinia Blackwell. ‘I Can Tell You’re Leaving’ is a jaunty duet undercut by the poignant harmonies of its chorus, while ‘Ain’t Nothing Wrong With a Little Longing’ demonstrates their range as they tackle an awkward folk-flavoured melody. Solo showcases are provided by ‘I Made a Date (With an Open Vein)’ and the traditional ‘My Husband’s Got No Courage in Him’, Oldham sounding timorous yet defiant while Blackwell is strident and otherworldly. Though unconventional, both performers are deeply expressive and prove as much by doing justice to ‘Duchess‘, one of the great Scott Walker‘s most beautiful compositions.
The band is tight and inventive, though at times struggle to recreate the symphonic grandeur of their recordings. In these moments when their playing is neither bombastic nor sparse enough to complement the singers and they abandon their archaic pomp for a fey jangle, we are reminded that the partnership is still a work in progress. Oldham has a reputation for his restless artistic spirit and myriad collaborations, but it would be shame for all concerned not to take this project further.
Lewis Porteous
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