Norman Blake at Cottiers Theatre

Cottiers Theatre in the West End of Glasgow is an absolutely stunning venue. The bar is well used and well loved be locals, while the opulent main room is regularly booked for weddings. Thankfully, there was space in the calendar for the Fallen Angels Club to put on Norman Blake. I was even more grateful when my sister Carla was asked to support. Bonus!

That said, as it was my daughter Rosie's 10th birthday, I had to ask permission. As long as we went trampolining and to Wagamama for dinner, I was allowed. Deal!

After dinner, I jumped on the underground to meet my pal Lorna in good old Tennents Bar on Byres Road. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a pint of Guinness was only just over a fiver, while a pint of Tennents was well under. Most places in town and the West End are now over £6 for a pint!

We sauntered up Hyndland Road and made the most of the mild evening by having a drink outside in Cottiers beer garden before venturing inside to get a seat. It was good to see lots of friendly and familiar faces, including Alan and Rachel who joined us in the front row. We are passed the stage of trying to be cool and sit further back!

Carla and her friend Paul Kelly took to the stage at 8pm. Carla informed the crowd that she was going into the studio to record a new album next week and that she would be playing new songs and playing guitar! I'm sure that her Since Yesterday documentary will inspire lots of people in the future. Well, it has inspired Carla! All the talk of picking up guitars and forming bands led to Carla herself picking up a guitar!

The short 6-song set was extremely well received. The songs suited the stipped back sound of Carla on electric guitar and Paul and acoustic. This was actually my first time catching my sister play in quite some time and she was on excellent form, despite a heavy cold. 

Road Trip told a lovely tale, Really Sad (a co-write with Darren Hayman) was super melodic and catchy, while Moths sounds like it could be a central part of the new album. Carla said she wasn't sure if You Might Be The Sun will be on the album, but on the evidence of last night, it should be. The beautiful Threads and Red Kites finished the set in style with Carla and Paul harmonising on the latter.

Before long Norman was on stage setting up a few things and by 9pm he was singing songs from across his sublime career. 

In no particular order, the crowd were treated to recent highlights like Foreign Land, Self Sedation and a beautiful I Left A Light On. Norman hummed and sang some of Raymond's lead guitar parts which was rather lovely.

I've not heard Norman sing Mellow Doubt for quite some time, so this was a real treat. Blake explained that the Fanclub rarely played it due to the hassle of switching from electric to acoustic guitar.

A stripped back Everything Flows tugged on heart strings, as did the gorgeous I Don't Want Control Of You. Man Made is one of my favourite Fanclub albums, so it was good to hear It's All In My Mind, particularly as I was sitting with my friend Alan and it's a real favourite of his.

What You Do To Me on acoustic guitar was a delight, while The Concept was an absolute added bonus. I don't think anyone in the crowd was expecting Norman to play it solo. There was a lovely story of Norman and Euros writing You Was Me for the Jonny album while hanging out stoned and watching the bowling in Queens Park, with Blake taking on Euro's high parts.

Norman played 3 cover versions across the night. The first was a song called O'Caroline by Matching Mole, Robert Wyatt's band after Soft Machine. Norman was then joined by Annmarie Lochrie on acoustic guitar, bass and vocals for an encore of Tule's Blues by Warren Zevon and Head Hang Low by Julian Cope. The bass groove on the Cope song was gorgeous.

Teenage Fanclub have turned me on to so many bands and songs through their choices of cover versions over the years and here was Norman doing it again. All 3 songs are real gems and it's been great to listen to them and explore the albums they feature on.

I'd love to hear Norman record an EP or mini-album of cover versions. Heck, even a full album! He has impeccable taste

Norman plays Freckfest at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine tonight (Friday 17th) and then FRETS at Strathaven Hotel on Saturday 18th. Hopefully there will be some more solo shows in the future.