Everything Flows: Razzle Dazzle Rose

Trust me #75

Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

Glasgow's Camera Obscura played their first hometown show in 5-years in the famous Barrowland Ballroom on Saturday 11th May, following on from the release of new album Look to the East, Look to the West. The album is perfect for a lazy, hazy, sunny day.

Glasgow was still basking in glorious sunshine when I arrived just before 8pm to meet my friend Lorna. The area around the Barras was jumping with a mix of music fans and Celtic supporters. The green half of the city were out in force, many of them for the full day judging by those celebrating inside and outside some of the bars around the Barras.

Lorna and I caught most of support act Liz Lawrence and we thoroughly enjoyed her energetic set as she blasted her guitar over beats and backing tracks. Liz recently released her 4th album Peanuts and it is well worth checking out. There was an energetic edge to Lawrence's performance and songs, some rock n roll guitar, some funky beats, honesty and soul. Well worth checking out.

Pat Nevin introduced Camera Obscura on to the stage and their ninety minute set was an absolute delight. Sensitive, melodic, soulful and at times soaring. The trumpet solos were spine tingling.

The band received an exceptionally warm welcome and many songs generated the famous Barrowland roar. While I'm a sucker for the pure pop of French Navy and Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken, my favourite (at least at present) Camera Obscura song is the heart melting beauty Razzle Dazzle Rose.

After self-producing previous releases, Camera Obscura brought in some external support for their 2006 album Let's Get Out Of This Country. The forever helpful Stephen Pastel recommended Jari Haapalainen from the band The Bear Quartet as a producer, so the band decamped to Sweden for recording, with Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John helping with arrangements.

So the band really did get out of the country!

And the results were truly beautiful. The whole album has a beautiful warm feeling to it.

Razzle Dazzle Rose, the final song, shimmers into life as the band build a gentle groove with rhythm guitar, percussion, bass, lead guitar and trumpet all introduced over the space of a glorious first minute.

Tracyanne Campbell's voice melts my heart;

Rose, I'm feeling older

I was as lucky as, a four-leaved clover

I tried to be happy it wasn't easy

When I choose my colour it will be Razzle Dazzle Rose

The trumpet comes back in, the shuffling beat has a little pace injected into it and Camera Obscura give me all the feels with the way they gel together so effortlessly. The extended instrumentals between verses swoop and soar, slowing, speeding, but the mournful melancholic trumpet holds everything together.

The song feels like it is collapsing after 4-minutes, but there is still another 90-seconds of beauty before the band finally wrap it up. Glorious!

Razzle Dazzle Rose is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.