Ed Harcourt
Review of his gig in Whelan's, Dublin, July 11th 2003
It s great going to a gig blind. There s something tediously inevitable about
going to see a singer or band you know a lot about. Sometimes they even play the
same setlist in the exact same order, making you think that it would be better
(and cheaper) to listen to to their CD s in the comfort of your own home with
the sound turned up rather than venture out to see them live.
The only thing I knew about Ed Harcourt prior to this musical evening was that
his 2001 debut album 'Here Be Monsters' was nominated for that year s Mercury
Music Prize. Not the basis for writing a review of one his gigs, some might say,
but an unbiased and fresh account of the boy. And the boy done good.
Playing to a strangely muted Whelan's crowd, due chiefly to the fact that the
usual gig-goers were probably on the road to Witnness at that stage, Mr.
Harcourt delivered a set that would please both fans and novices. Looking far
older than his mere twenty-four years, and sporting a haircut reminiscent of
Nicky Kelly of The Fat Lady Sings (early days), he straddled his piano like his
very life depended on it. Though he played songs from it, it was also refreshing
that he didn t feel the need to constantly plug his new album 'From Every
Sphere' (which NME described as a treasure trove of sun-kissed grace and magic).
'Hanging with the Wrong Crowd' was the first song the party faithful knew and
wanted to hear, a tricky little number that meant a myriad of vocal changes from
his usual voice right up to falsetto. From then on he was hangin with the right
crowd, as this was soon followed by 'He's Building a Swamp', (from the 2000 EP
Maplewood) a glorious affair that was like the bastard offspring of Pulp Fiction
and a particularly raucous Mexican carnival. Trumpet, guitars, keyboards and
drums all merged to make a beautiful noise. The piano and trumpet led melancholy
of 'Beneath the Heart of Darkness' was joined by two other songs from the Here Be
Monsters album, 'Birds Fly Backwards' and 'Those Crimson Tears', all exhibiting how
diverse the sound of Ed Harcourt and his band is.
The gorgeous 'Birds will sing for us', lullaby-like 'Fireflies Take Flight' and
rocky 'Undertaker Strut' showcased Ed's new material, and all showed how different
his sound can be when compared to one of his earlier songs, 'I've Become
Misguided', which was so close to jazz you may as well have been in New Orleans
at Mardi Gras.
Inevitably, there were some minor political musings as Ed addressed the crowd on
Tony Blair and George Bush. Thankfully, this didn't last long, the crowd
preferring for him to get on with the music. For his one and only encore
(perhaps saving his energies for Witnness over the weekend) he
played 'Metaphorically Yours', also on 'From Every Sphere'.
Ed Harcourt is impossible to categorise. His styles range from fairly
traditional rock and folk, but can then veer wildly to gospel and even jazz.
Though he is an original, I was reminded of bands like Embrace and the slightly
gimmicky Ben Folds Five. Maybe he is a true genius (he had over 300 songs
written even before he had a record deal!). On his website Ed advises fans to
listen to his debut album when drunk, sober, happy or sad and they will make
sense. Good advice indeed from a unique talent.
Derek Nagle
Check out the CLUAS review of Ed Harcourt's album'Here be Monsters'
