Live Review

Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo – Brel, Glasgow

• 22nd Feb 2011

Glasgow’s Brel is primarily a Belgian bar and restaurant, but it has a lovely conservatory which plays host to smaller musical events. And last night 40 or so people were treated to a fine show in this dimly lit and intimate setting.

The support act was Jo Mango, a local singer songwriter who has a sweet voice with a very pure tone. Her songs evoked vivid pictures on a variety of subjects, ranging from moths to starlings via a burnt out kitchen.

With two backing musicians, one playing bass and the other an array of instruments from ukulele to keyboards, the focus was often taken away from Mango’s voice, which for me was a mistake. The songs where she simply accompanied herself on acoustic guitar showcased her talents perfectly.

Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo trooped onto the small stage and delivered an hour long set of fine songs excellently performed. The limitations of the small stage did cause a few problems: with four musicians playing there was little free space, especially during the swapping of instruments between songs.

First up was Billowing Sea, the opening track from the new album, Almanac. Starting with a gentle flute intro, Barker’s clear, strong vocal soon took over. She is perfectly suited to singing folk songs, although there is a hint of more mainstream pop at times. And there is a hidden power to her voice too, although this was demonstrated rarely in such a small venue.

Barker’s songs are set in a variety of places, from her native Australia to various parts of Britain and her song writing paints a rich tapestry upon which the music is based. Reckless took us to the wild coasts of Cornwall and also gave the first example of the beautiful, soaring four part harmonies that are the trademark sound of the Red Clay Halo.

Dances was a highlight, portraying the claustrophobia of life in a big city, in this case London, for a country girl. Barker’s vocal was softer here, wistful and plaintive as she soared over the instrumental backing.

Nostalgia, otherwise known at the theme song of the BBC’s Wallander was perhaps the best known song of the night. And the closing Bones, a dark tale of the crimes committed against the aboriginal Australians by settlers, closed the set in some style.

Emily Barker was ably backed all through the set by the excellent playing and harmonies of Jo Silverston, Anna Jenkins and Gill Sandell. If there is to be a revival of folk music, this band deserves to be one of those to benefit from increased media attention.