Venue:
Oran Mor, Glasgow
Date: 19/11/2017
I do like Jim White, so much so that I body-served the option of Chuck Prophet at home in sunny Edinburgh, to travel out to the weedge to see JW instead. I have to say: good choice. He was ably backed by his support band, Cicada Rhythm and took us on an extended tour of his back catalogue and new album (Waffles, Triangles and Jesus). However it wasn’t just the material, strong though it is, that made this a top gig. It was Jim White’s stage presence, hilarious yarns and general bonhomie that made it a special occasion. For all I know, he says the same stuff every night but it didn’t feel like that. It felt like the spontaneity and associated risk that makes going to a gig worthwhile. JW made several mentions of his history of mental illness, which I’d not been aware of. Good for him. Special mention for his nightly ”shirt off my back’ auction, which has enabled him to make significant donations to Doctors Without Borders (“They think I’m a millionaire!”) No Tornadoes or Still Waters though *sad face*.
The audience:
Varied but, well, I didn’t feel out of place. Warmly appreciative, though “Gaun yersel’ Jim!” was lost in translation, I fear.
It made me think..
What a nice venue Oran Mor is – must go more often.
Jim White is looking good for 60 – maybe I should give vegetarianism a try too.
I’d have loved to have seen this show, but unfortunately I’m currently handcuffed to a fence in South Gloucestershire.
I used to love Jim White – first album brilliant, second album very good, third album quite good – but have lost interest in recent years. Am I wrong not to be paying more attention or is the old stuff better?
Well, Waffles etc. doesn’t quite hit the heights of Wrong-eyed Jesus or Drill a Hole in That Substrate but it’s pretty good. It’s Jim White doing his Jim White sorta thing.
Live is a whole shift of gear though.
I mirrored you last night. Travelled through from Glasgow to see Chuck in Edinburgh. We must have passed on the M8. Absolutely no regrets. Chuck was brilliant again. I would have gone to see Jim White had they not clashed & will do if he comes back.
The massed ranks of the Embra massive (other than me) were in attendance, I believe. Was sorry to miss Chuck – did he do Shake Some Action?
He certainly did. It was in the encore with entertaing intro (which I’d heard before)…. but his last song was Mr Pharmacist by The Fall(!!!).
Glad you enjoyed JW.
Ah doubly sorry to have missed that.
I’m not up to speed with Jim’s album releases. I have a few, but of those I’ve got the first two shine brightest. Should do some catching up, I think.
Seen him play a few good UK gigs but not in recent years. Had a nice chat with him after the first one I went to. He’s a very pleasant chap with a dry sense of humour.