Live Review

The Bookhouse Boys – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 1st Jun 2011

Two very different acts graced the King Tut’s stage last night, combining to create a fine night of varied music that was greatly enjoyed by a decent crowd.

Alice Gold and her band opened proceedings with an excellent set taken entirely from her forthcoming album Seven Rainbows. The London based singer/ songwriter has a powerful rock voice and was backed throughout by some good musicianship.

Opening with Season’s Change and the previous single Runaway Love, Gold set the tone immediately as she stood centre stage, belting out the lyrics in fine style. The new single Cry Cry Cry was a highlight, its deeper vocal delivery giving the song a sultry air. Basically this is a damned good up tempo pop song.

The set continued in good style, the pace rising and falling as Gold became more animated, tossing back her mane of golden hair as she sang. The final pairing of the rocker Orbiter, driven on by a ferocious drum beat, and the slower Sadness Coming demonstrated the full range of her fine voice. For the latter, Gold took off her Tele and clasped the mic stand close as she delivered an emotional set closer.

The Bookhouse Boys also played a good set to an appreciative audience. With eight band members on stage they create a big sound, their rock approach at times dark and brooding, at others creating a sort of flamenco folk carnival. But the songs are well crafted and the sound was co-ordinated and lively throughout.

The focus of their music is the twin vocals of Paul Van Oestren and Catherine Turner. They alternate the lead which gives variety to their sound, especially when you add the twin trumpets the mix.

Much of the set came from the new album Tales To Be Told. The current single Guns Like Drums saw Turner on vocals, the initial backing harmonies and synchronised handclaps being replaced by the trumpets and a blistering drum beat. To Forgive saw the two singers trade off each other, while the slower With You featured a mournful single trumpet and a slow drum beat

Van Oestren also played a new song, a slow and tender solo love song that hasn’t yet been recorded. It was a welcome change of pace and the trumpet solo fitted into the piece nicely. Then there were a couple of numbers from the band’s 2008 debut album. Dead and Luca The Brave were expertly delivered before it was back to the newer material.

I Can’t Help Myself was a crowd favourite, a solid beat set as Van Oestren’s lead vocals kicked in and the sound built to a tremendous crescendo. And the final History started slowly before rising into an extended jam before the final verse closed the set.

There was no encore, which disappointed many. But they had enjoyed a fine set comprising a very different type of music that fused rock with a Latin feel.