Tim Barry (The Borderline, 20/02/15)
I headed to The Borderline last night to see Tim Barry. Opening the show was Sam Russo, the English representative on the bill. He fluffs his lines on a couple of occasions and is endearingly frank about his limitations as a performer and his recent failure to record a new record. There's nothing groundbreaking about him but his songs show potential and it's an enjoyable start to the evening.
I was concerned about the scope of Cory Branan's songwriting when he opened with an ode to Jack Daniels, but I need not have worried. Finger picking furiously, Branan plays with such energy and verve that the rest of the room is swiftly swept along. The crowd sing the penultimate number "Wayward and Down" like a hymn and his closing tribute to "The Prettiest Waitress in Memphis" feels electrifying.
It's the perfect warm up for Barry himself, starting with a rousing rendition of "Dog Bumped", a song about taking care of your family even if it means violating the law. It's also a decent introduction to the world of this gruff country inspired singer-songwriter. From Richmond Virginia, the 43 year old Barry is not the most accomplished performer in the world, nor the best vocalist. But much like Branan, his passion and enthusiasm are infectious. That's not to say he can't craft an anthem though. "Walk 500 Miles" has the whole room singing "Lord I get so lonely like you wouldn't believe. But I'm lonelier here now with you here next to me".
Throughout the set we gain some idea of the curious life this man has led, from tie dying his own t-shirts to sell to sneaking onto freight trains (the subject of the superb "Church Of Level Track") to the journey from dishwasher to globe trotting troubadour. His closer "Avoiding Catatonic Surrender" perfectly encapsulates the struggle of being alive. But tonight at least, we all feel like we're in it together. He's a man who makes you want to jack it all in and follow your dreams, even if you know you probably won't.
"Music should sound like escape, not rent", Barry sings during "40 Miler". It's an escape I badly needed. Spending an hour in the company of Tim Barry proves a life affirming experience and I'd love to do it again some time.
I was concerned about the scope of Cory Branan's songwriting when he opened with an ode to Jack Daniels, but I need not have worried. Finger picking furiously, Branan plays with such energy and verve that the rest of the room is swiftly swept along. The crowd sing the penultimate number "Wayward and Down" like a hymn and his closing tribute to "The Prettiest Waitress in Memphis" feels electrifying.
It's the perfect warm up for Barry himself, starting with a rousing rendition of "Dog Bumped", a song about taking care of your family even if it means violating the law. It's also a decent introduction to the world of this gruff country inspired singer-songwriter. From Richmond Virginia, the 43 year old Barry is not the most accomplished performer in the world, nor the best vocalist. But much like Branan, his passion and enthusiasm are infectious. That's not to say he can't craft an anthem though. "Walk 500 Miles" has the whole room singing "Lord I get so lonely like you wouldn't believe. But I'm lonelier here now with you here next to me".
Throughout the set we gain some idea of the curious life this man has led, from tie dying his own t-shirts to sell to sneaking onto freight trains (the subject of the superb "Church Of Level Track") to the journey from dishwasher to globe trotting troubadour. His closer "Avoiding Catatonic Surrender" perfectly encapsulates the struggle of being alive. But tonight at least, we all feel like we're in it together. He's a man who makes you want to jack it all in and follow your dreams, even if you know you probably won't.
"Music should sound like escape, not rent", Barry sings during "40 Miler". It's an escape I badly needed. Spending an hour in the company of Tim Barry proves a life affirming experience and I'd love to do it again some time.
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