I caught Bill playing a rare solo show at Broadcast in Glasgow around this time last year. It was an extremely intimate show with probably no more than 50 people there. Bill was taking some new songs out on the road to test them out. I loved the show at the time, but I appreciate it all the more now, knowing I was part of an audience that were included on Bill's journey to releasing the wonderful lechyd Da.
Tuesday night was my first time in Room 2, a venue tucked away in Central Glasgow in Nelson Mandela Place. Entrance is via a lane and then a narrow corridor down to a basement. As with any basement venue in Glasgow, there are issues with viewing the performance. Room 2 is definitely more suited to club nights as a low ceiling and several metre wide pillars had fans in the sold out show jostling for position.
Thankfully, after getting some beers in, we skirted right back round the room to the entrance and positioned ourselves side stage for an excellent view. Sadly, Lizzie Reid, who was due to support last night, had to pull out unwell. I have yet to catch Reid live and hope to rectify that at some stage this year.
What can you say about Bill Ryder-Jones?
Bill and his band (a 7-piece, including Jones) came onstage to a huge roar. Glasgow has fallen big time for his talent and the quality of lechyd Da has only strengthened the bond.
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I Hold Something In My Hand opened proceedings, Ryder-Jones whispered vocals, the changes in tempo, the flourishes, the flows ... beautiful. If some people in the crowd were struggling to see the show, then there were no complaints about the sound.
Nathaniel Laurence, who also plays with Michael Head, was on lead guitar. The band also included drums, cello, bass, keyboards and slide guitar. Bill switched between acoustic and electric, his in-ear monitors seemed to really help him with his gorgeous hushed and whispered vocals.
After opening with a trilogy of songs from lechyd Da, Bill dipped back to 2013's A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart for Part 2, Hanging Song, Anthony & Owen and Wild Swans. The latter contains a gorgeous lazy guitar solo before everything collides together again to create a beautiful racket. The chiming guitar sound is delighful. One of my favourite Ryder-Jones songs.
Don't tell me that it's over
It's not over, til I say it's over
From Wild Swans to Wild Roses, the band were in full flight, Bill looked happy and there were widespread smiles through the crowd.
Daniel could bring a tear to a glass eye, while a super tender Seabirds was utterly sublime. At this point it was just Bill and his acoustic guitar onstage. We were all in the zone. Spellbound.
There was a moment when the bar staff were emptying glasses, but Bill just nodded towards them and smiled. Nothing was going to break this spell, this moment he was creating.
I don't care what you're running from
I would follow you
This was special. The band returned from their break with Bill introducing them all fondly. The magic continued with I Know That It's Like This (Baby), the tender opening song on lechyd Da, Bill was almost kissing his microphone as he sang so beautifully that it was like a lullaby.
Nothing To Be Done was epic. It's like distant cousin of Mercury Rev's Deserters Songs. Psychedelic soul and bliss. The band got into a groove and we all got lost in the music. Bill poured his heart out - I just don't see myself getting past this one. On record, there is a children's choir singing along with Ryder-Jones at times. It really tugs on the heart-strings!
With a 10-minute curfew warning, we were into Two To Birkenhead, to the particular delight of the guy in front of me. There was a real zip to the intro and the band gelled with ease.
Did I mention Mercury Rev? This Can't Go On closed the show; piano, strings, Ryder-Jones giving himself some encouragement to get himself together, recognising that this can't go on. The song is the centre-point of lechyd Da; psychedelic and pure emotion. It's gorgeous and somehow simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Lets hope Bill returns to Glasgow later in the year.
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