Local Music

Having been a fan since his debut album release in 2001, his return to Bristol was actually the first time I had managed to see him live and when I recognised others in the crowd, I discovered that I'm not the only person to be aware of his talents.

With his latest backing band, and a succession of different instruments and even microphones for varying effects, he wowed the appreciative audience for the best part of two hours.

In truth he didn't even need, or use, a microphone for the basic but beautiful beginner of Something to Live For.

The quiet but effective evening opener was followed by the more upbeat pairing of The Storm is Coming - complete with howling guitars - and the popular Visit From the Dead Dog as Harcourt showed he can, and will, mix and match musical methods. He proves this by continuing with the mellow Badly Drawn Boy sounding Black Dress.

From guitar to piano

Paid to Get Drunk, Hanging With the Wrong Crowd and the catchy Born in the 70s follow as he effortlessly swaps from guitar to piano led numbers before one of my personal highlights.

After the more recent Shadow Boxing, the dark and moody Undertaker Strut brings a grin not fitting to the track from our guest as he shows off a twin neck guitar and one of his many microphones.

I thought to myself that different, creative and successful techniques like this makes him stand out only for him to surpass this with the wonderful epic I've Become Misguided as a banjo and a trombone are introduced, much to the delight of a healthy gathering.

Bringing the pace down

The new single You Put a Spell On Me changes the tone ahead of All of Your Days Will Be Blessed and then, after being offered a choice between two songs, the haunting Those Crimson Tears brings the pace right down.

That pace is immediately quickened with Shanghai, almost an anthem with his following, and then continues with Loneliness for which the female members of the audience are invited to help with the chorus.
Shame many were too shy as it led to their male counterparts trying to help!

Still Harcourt continues without a sign of flagging.

Watching The Sun Come Up bounces along and then, my personal favourite, Beneath The Heart of Darkness goes from sultry singing to rock out thrash to signal a brief break before the encore which starts with the aching love song Metaphorically Yours.

Ed Harcourt played The Trinity Centre in Bristol on Friday, 19 October 2007.