Live Review

Phantom Limb – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 20th Feb 2012

A large Saturday night crowd was well entertained by a fine four act bill headed by Phantom Limb, who were on top form. And Phantom Limb on top form is a quite awe inspiring sight.

Local singer/ songwriter Darren Vincent, billed under the name Yaya Club, was first onto the stage. His slow acoustic songs were delivered well in a mellow voice and his fingerpicking guitar added a good backing. A little humour was evident in many of the lyrics too, and Yaya Club was well received.

Ayrshire’s Martin McLaughlin was next, backed by a band he called The Reprobates. With a commanding, gravel-tinged voice McLaughlin played a fine set of his own songs, ranging from one with an anti-war message to the tender love song The Darkest Night. McLaughlin is a confident performer and produced the best set from amongst the support acts. And he also gave the spotlight to backing singer (for the night) Cheryl Scott to give a great rendition of her single, the powerful ballad Origins Of Love.

Baby Taylor from Stirling played several of her own compositions in a light and pleasant voice. The young woman (hence the name) was backed by a band and showed some nice interplay with guitarist Jamie. Her song writing has a maturity to it, bringing an edge to songs of love and relationships. The closing track The End, written about leaving school, was the highlight.

Phantom Limb started their set with the beautiful slow blues of Tumbling Down, delivered in tender yet passionate style. Lead singer Yolanda Quartey has a voice that has to be heard to be believed, and she is capable of delivering in a highly emotional style that sends a chill down your back. She is supported by a fine cast of musicians and the net result is a band of real quality.

The second song played was Run from the band’s debut album, a fast paced and powerful track, before they returned to their recent release with Laugh Like You’re Mad and the single and title track The Pines. With the addition of a banjo to the acoustic guitar of Stew Jackson and Luke Cawthra’s lead, this one fairly rocked, allowing Quartey to demonstrate her incredible vocal range.

The pace changed again with the heartbroken blues of Give Me A Reason, and no one does the blues quite like this band. The delicate lead guitar work contrasted with impassioned vocals superbly, before Missy raised the tempo once more, the lovely track becoming something of a country blues stomp.

The one cover song of the night was Little Feat’s Willin’, with Dan Moore’s Hammond organ swirling behind the vocals, before it was back to the new album for the next single that the band will release, Gravy Train. This one was soulful, the music rising and falling beautifully.

Grieving For Show, the b-side from the current single, got an outing too, with Andy Lowe on the upright bass and Matt Jones on drums setting a rhythm that grew ever faster while Quartey’s vocals soared and wailed in fine style.

All too soon we came to the closing track, Harder Than Stone. This song typified Phantom Limb’s music with its soulful beginning before the blues took over and it ended in a rocking fashion as Quartey gave one last impassioned howl before leaving the stage first as the rest of the band gave us the big ending and took the final round of applause. A great way to end a very fine set.

What more can I say about Phantom Limb? The combination of superb vocals and a band of excellent musicians is a winning one, and the appreciative audience reaction showed how much they enjoyed this superb set. And the queue at the merch stand was a substantial one when I left, which will please those on the management side of things.

There are a fair few dates left on this tour. If I was you I would be checking whether Phantom Limb are coming to a nearby venue. And if they are, then get yourself along!