Jimmy Goodrich / Lonely Tourist - Fri 11th Jan, The Grain Barge, Bristol

A couple of acoustic treats on the rejuvenated Grain Barge tonight to fight off the winter blues sees the return of Canadian class act Jimmy Goodrich and much-loved Glaswegian troubadour Lonely Tourist.

 

 

Paul Tierney aka The Lonely Tourist (in contrast to what his pseudonym suggests) actually appears to be enjoying living in Bristol.  Gigging heavily across town, his carefully crafted storytelling and whirlwind guitar has justifiably earned him respect as the star turn in the support slot. Playing to an enthusiastic but sparse audience below deck, Tierney has the poetic sensibilities of ex-Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble with a frantic Johnny Cash powerdrive. Playing tracks from much improved second solo album 'I Live Where You Are' we are taken on a trip inside the mind of an artist lamenting false dawns of hitting the big time and coming to terms with no longer being a young man.

Foot-tapping standout 'Rattling Around' has a clutch of memorable metaphors that echo his struggle for success including my favourite; 'I've added up the change in life's guitar case, 2 buttons a euro and 85 pence, it's just as well I'm doing this for fun, cos someone's making money when I make none.'  It’s melancholic stuff at times but when it’s delivered with Jimmy Carr one-liners and a blistering pace, it’s hard not to warm to the self-deprecating Scotsman. 

 



 

Headliner Jimmy Goodrich cuts an imposing figure on the tiny stage as he mezmerises the audience with his offbeat indie-acoustic set drawing heavily on 2011’s excellent ‘Goneland’ album.  Goodrich has a deliciously clean almost alpine guitar style, sometimes drifting into Segovia territory whilst harbouring a timeless, soulful croon oozing quality.  ‘Blind to the time anew’ with grooving Indian rhythms and wandering vocals is a unique trip delivered with almost nonchalant ease.  Having toured with Rufus Wainwright, who proves to be a weighty influence on tonight’s main act, Goodrich also brings with him the aforementioned impressively nimble guitar work and one of music’s most tuneful whistles to tonight’s performance (found on a plethora of tracks including the serene ‘Sing High Sing Low’).

 

The confident singer, with more than a passing resemblance to a youthful Sting/Mike Rutherford, holds the crowd well as he takes us on a journey of his life covering life in Canada, touring the world and settling down in Bristol.  ‘Goneland’ is an awkward listen for proud patriots in the audience as Goodrich gives a tongue-in-cheek critique on his newly adopted county; ‘All of my dreams of a green pleasant land are dying of boredom in council tax bands.’  Best track ‘Her Fire Has Gone’ is a creative mix of Latino strumming, wistful lyrics and a luscious Jeff Buckley-esque vocal performance that draws generous applause.  Tailor-made for such an intimate venue, Goodrich pushes the evening’s curfew and leaves no doubt that whilst not wholly original he is more than capable of writing complex bittersweet odes with enough of an edge to commit the audience. 

It’s a very promising start to the year for the Grain Barge with two top talents raising the bar for 2013.

Kindly published by Venue:
http://www.venue.co.uk/music-live-reviews-g/20051-jimmy-goodirchlonely-tourist
 

Best Tracks: Click link to watch/hear

 

Lonely Tourist - Rattling Around

Jimmy Goodrich - Her Fire Has Gone

 

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