The Brudenell was the perfect choice of venue for this gig, intimate, unassuming and with fantastic acoustics. With the band so close you get a sense of accessibility missing in larger gigs, even after the gig the band even comes outside for some air, happily chat away to fans and graciously accept the thanks of the audience.
Lead singer Simon Aldred has a Johnny Cash vibe about him; it’s not just the black clothing and the Marlboro gruff to his voice. The songs are steeped in religious connotations and historic symbolism with a richness to the vocals that’s as warming as hard liquor. Thoughts go deeper than loneliness, where he becomes so blue that he is almost black, carrying on his shoulders an intellectual sorrow.
With such melancholy lyrics and regretful emotion you would expect the songs to be down beat and almost depressing. The magic of Cherry Ghost is that songs that should bring a tear to the eye are joyous and frivolous to hear. There is one track in particular that sounds straight out of a Tarantino Mexican funeral scene, yet there is a quality of rejoicefulness that’s as nihilistic and powerful as it is hopeful and exciting.
The tracks from the latest album have a country melody, dishevelled with choruses that have stadium rock magnificence with just a light spattering of Ziggy Stardust futuristic effects. The result is a kind of dramatic Western; glistening with whiskey soaked tears and smoke filled memories. From the opening bar to the last note of the encore it’s clear that this band are something special. Effortlessly cool in an anti-rock star kind of way, evocative and produce a live performance that will have you reflecting for weeks afterwards.
Published in Yorkshire Evening Post
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