Norman Blake at The Alex James in Bellshill

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

Norman Blake returned to Bellshill last night to play his first gig in the town for over 30-years at The Alex James on Hamilton Road. To highlight how personal a show it was, Norman had counted the steps from the venue to his Gran's old house - 450 in case you wondered.

I should have counted the steps from my house, to Uddingston train station and then from Bellshill (a mere 3-minute journey) to the venue - literally down the hill and round the corner! Very handy!

There was another Fanclub and Bellshill element to the show, a crucial one. Bellshill boy Paul Quinn was responsible for booking and promoting the gig. Last night was the first of many that Paul will be putting on, with the aim of Bellshill gigs becoming a regular fixture in the Scottish and Lanarkshire music calendar. 

David Scott from The Pearlfishers is playing the next night on 28th February with support from KiDD - another Fanclub angle as Stuart played bass for Teenage Fanclub last year and was a member of the live Jonny band with Norman and Euros. TICKETS HERE

Keep an eye on Paul's Bellbeat Presents Facebook page for further announcements.

The Alex James is a cracking venue; pub/restaurant on one side, function room/live venue on the other. Drinks were well-priced, I was pleasantly surprised to be asked to pay £14.20 for 4 pints when I went up for a round!

Norman and Teenage Fanclub inspire incredible devotion from their fans - the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub! I've met so many friendly and brilliant people through my love of the band. Last night people had travelled from Chicago, Cornwall, London and Dingwall to catch Norman in his home town.

Support on the night was from Willie Campbell, formerly of Astrid, and I thoroughly enjoyed his set that generated a warm response from the crowd. Indeed, Campbell moved one guy near the front to tears with his impassioned lyrics and soulful voice. I'd definitely go and see him again. I loved the way Campbell used 2 capo's and his harmonies pedal worked well. Many of Campbell's songs were about his native Lewis and his voice is so strong that he could step right back from the mic and continue to fill the room with ease.

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

I have lost count of the number of times I have seen Norman play; with the Fanclub, Jonny, The New Mendicants, Jad Fair, with Butler and Grant and of course solo. His voice and songs warm my heart and seeing him play with just an acoustic guitar always feels like a real privilege, especially in such an intimate venue. The way the songs are stripped right back makes me appreciate them all the more.

Norman played a lengthy set featuring songs from across his full career. Blake's songwriting is exceptional and I marvel at how many of the songs that he wrote in his younger days take on greater meaning with each and every passing year. Like a fine wine, they mature with age; melancholic, reflective and full of hope.

I mean, how old was Norman when he wrote Everything Flows? 23/24? How deep are the lyrics?

We get older every day

But you don't change

Or I don't notice you changing

When Norman plays his songs on acoustic guitar, I pick up on the lyrics a little more. How about this moment of heartfelt honesty from I'm In Love? Stunning!

You don't know what you mean to me

Girl I owe you my life

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

Or from the sublime I Left A Light On;

My life had lost it's meaning

I was a lonely soul

Mellow Doubt was played early to a rapturous response, Baby Lee was fresh and flowing, a cover of He'd Be A Diamond was (pardon the pun) a gem, the stripped back Everything Flows melted my heart and Did I Say is a masterclass in songwriting.

I Don't Want Control Of You is another of Norman's songs that cuts deep, written about his daughter, it always makes me think of my own girls whenever he plays it. 

Don't want this love to stay the same

But grow with every year

The room became a community choir for What You Do To Me, as pure a love (and lust) song as you can get. Blake's voice is beautiful and I particularly loved the way he sang Back In The Day, getting lost in the music as he drove the song to conclusion.

Photo by Ruthie Blaney

Back In The Day is one of my favourite Norman songs. The melody and chorus caught my attention immediately, but the lyrics are beautifully open, raw and reflective. Things change.

Adrift and in a dream

Like fallen leaves in a flowing river

A life of harmony for you and me

When unexpectedly

Someone said that nothing lasts forever

It all became so very clear to me

With each new passing day

I see that old world fading away

I just can't seem to find

The peace of mind that I knew back in the day

The Darkest Part Of The Night was a welcome surprise as part of a 3-song encore alongside Start Again and The Concept. Norman was in jovial form throughout and was more than happy to meet friends and fans afterwards, the venue and vibe lending itself to the sense of community felt by both artist and audience.

Norman has a busy 2025 coming up with the Butler, Blake & Grant album coming out in March followed by a tour and then Teenage Fanclub play a string of shows in late July into August, including a night at the Kelvingrove Bandstand. They then head off to South America.