Tuesday 12 March 2013

Kelly Clarkson // Catch My Breath

Kelly Clarkson
Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

It doesn’t seem that long since Miss Clarkson released her album Stronger but now she has a new one out (ahem, originally in time for the  Christmas buying season!) in the form of Greatest Hits: Chapter One. And of course, to promote you need a new single and that came in the form of Catching My Breath.

It’s a bright & bouncy little number that has the familiar marking of a Clarkson tune. You can’t help feel that maybe this song is a song about her career (well, it is in support of a Greatest Hits album, so anything is possible!) but it’s one of these tracks that has a hint of the old and new and it works a treat.

One bound to have you dancing round the handbags and be popular amongst the general listening public.

Rating: 4/5

Monday 11 March 2013

Amy Macdonald @ The Picture House, Edinburgh (5th March 2013)

Ben Montague @ The Picture House, Edinburgh 5th March 2013

Having recently just completed a number of dates in Europe that had been rescheduled from last year, Amy Macdonald continues her tour in support of her current album Life In A Beautiful Light, stopping off at The Picture House in Edinburgh for one of only two Scottish dates this time around.

Opening for Amy was singer songwriter Ben Montague who hails from Kent. With the crowd cheering as he takes to the stage, he cheekily takes to the mic to remind them that ‘you haven’t heard me yet’. But it works as an ice breaker. He works his way through a selection of his tracks including Sweet Amelia , Broken (that followed his explaining that being a songwriter and in love is crap because you have nothing to write about), Haunted and Liberty Road. During the set he points out that he’ll be out meeting people & signing and that he’s back in Edinburgh in April on his own tour.

Amy Macdonald @ The Picture House, Edinburgh 5th March 2013

After a short set up period, Macdonald takes to the stage opening with 4th of July before heading into the handclapping Poison Prince.She takes a moment to welcome the sell out crowd to the venue but makes her feelings known about the backstage area (“They’ve obviously spent the money out the front”) and the temperature of the place. She also makes reference to the fact that she doesn’t have a second list tonight with a list of local words, a hinting at her time in Europe. However, this is put a minor distraction and she continues the set with L.A. and Spark.

She introduces the next track saying that people probably won’t associate with her and she took some convincing to include it on her latest album. Here we’re led into The Game. From there, it’s straight into a fan favourite in  Mr Rock & Roll. Before the next track, she chats to the crowd and announces that she’s taking a page out of ‘Davie C’s’ book in that we should be working for nothing and invites the crowd to become her backing singers for Slow It Down which of course they do with gusto.

Amy Macdonald @ The Picture House, Edinburgh 5th March 2013

Amy apologises during the set up for the next part that it’s been more graceful on other dates as they’ve had larger stages since they’ve been playing theatre type venues. The setting up leads to a short acoustic set starting with a solo version of Love Love and a new, only performed live version of Give It All Up. The band rejoin her for a rendition of This Pretty Face before a rare sight is seen; Amy without a guitar as she does a cover of Jackie Wilson’s (You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher.

A short break for a quick clear up and it’s straight back to normal service as she head’s into the first single from A Curious Thing, Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over. With her being in Edinburgh, she offers to change the lyrics to the next song to the Green and Maroon (in respect to the two local football teams) but this doesn’t go down well with the crowd so she sticks with The Green and The Blue.

Amy Macdonald @ The Picture House, Edinburgh 5th March 2013

Next it’s into No Roots before she begins talking about how she’s just recently been asked to perform at Hampden when Scotland play against Wales. This leads into the resounding Pride. Next it’s into Run before heading into firm fan favourite This Is The Life (complete with fan participation) before finishing with the title track of her current album, Life In A Beautiful Light.

But the crowd call out for more and after a short few moments, Amy returns to the stage alone to perform her version of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark. Another chance to see Amy without guitar comes with a rendition of The Furthest Star before finishing on a high with two tracks from the debut album in form of Barrowland Ballroom and Let’s Start A Band.

You always get your money’s worth when going to see Amy. She continues to grow in confidence and isn’t shy about sharing her opinion (like commenting about people talking at gigs after paying good money when they could be down the pub). In a hour and a half, she powered through 22 songs with added banter. And with a ticket price of a mere £25 and considering what you might pay for some other bands (around the £40+ mark) it’s been money well spent and you always come away with a smile on your face.

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Ben Montague
Official Site | Amazon | iTunes

Amy Macdonald
Official Site | Amazon | iTunes