Gavin Osborn (The Phoenix, 12.04.2015)
On a post derby high, I headed to the Phoenix for Gavin Osborn's record launch show. It was hosted by Isy Suttie, easing her way back into live performance following the birth of her first child. We were treated to some of her party pieces, including her impression of Lady Gaga singing down a well. Her ability to capture and recreate the foibles of the people she meets results in a reliably entertaining set.
MJ Hibbett took the stage looking like a cross between John Oliver and Danny Baker. Him and Osborn are great friends and touring buddies, sharing a penchant for low key, unassuming folk tunes. The highlights of his set were "That Guy", amusingly touching upon his fears as a mature student at university and a surprisingly touching number about the romantic angst of an IT support worker.
Grace Petrie came next, describing herself as a protest singer and promising to halt the atmosphere. She's certainly one of the left's angry young women but possesses some considerably songwriting chops to match the attitude. "Ivy" touched upon meeting her newborn niece, incorporating a twist that any musical comedian would be proud of. Meanwhile, "The Top Shop Song" did not have the subject matter that one would necessarily expect, as Petrie pointed out. But as a teenage love song, it ticked all the right boxes. Any doubters in the room are thoroughly converted by the time of her finale, a call to arms themed around the Spanish Civil War. Impressive stuff.
One interval later and Gavin Osborn takes the stage for a 75 minute set, accompanied by Paul Hodson on the bass and John Hare on the piano. I had intended to review his new record "Share Your Toys" separately but since he performed it in its entirety, that may be a little redundant. For anyone familiar with his work, SYT is not a huge departure from the endearing story driven folk of the previous three records.
The piano is used to good effect in the opener "Roger's Inventing Again", while "And Still They Move" catalogues Carl Sagan's love affair and the cosmos. Osborn's at his best with personal subject matter and "In Another Lifetime" proves a particular highlight, a lyrical letter to his children about the lives him and his wife used to lead. It's the only place you're likely to find the line "I was like a young Jan Molby". It's warm and funny, as is "Another Bath With You", a legitimately great comedic song in its own right.
I'm also delighted to now own a song that I've enjoyed hearing live before about Ian Beale. Or rather the man who plays him and how "The only thing he wants to be good at is being Adam Woodyatt". In between songs, Osborn's banter is witty and engaging, playfully batting away calls to perform "Jamie Cook", his song about Championship Manager for which he is mostly known.
There are a couple of dud moments. "Let Me Down Gently" about an abandoned lilo is one step too far into the world of whimsy, while a song with Suttie in the encore about a dream she had regarding P Diddy and a bingo hall probably shouldn't have left the house they used to live in together.
But no-one could take issue with Osborn's closer "Albert Went Out To See Rock Bands", his tribute to a gig goer of pensionable age, a joyous number showcasing the talents that will see me coming back for album five.
MJ Hibbett took the stage looking like a cross between John Oliver and Danny Baker. Him and Osborn are great friends and touring buddies, sharing a penchant for low key, unassuming folk tunes. The highlights of his set were "That Guy", amusingly touching upon his fears as a mature student at university and a surprisingly touching number about the romantic angst of an IT support worker.
Grace Petrie came next, describing herself as a protest singer and promising to halt the atmosphere. She's certainly one of the left's angry young women but possesses some considerably songwriting chops to match the attitude. "Ivy" touched upon meeting her newborn niece, incorporating a twist that any musical comedian would be proud of. Meanwhile, "The Top Shop Song" did not have the subject matter that one would necessarily expect, as Petrie pointed out. But as a teenage love song, it ticked all the right boxes. Any doubters in the room are thoroughly converted by the time of her finale, a call to arms themed around the Spanish Civil War. Impressive stuff.
One interval later and Gavin Osborn takes the stage for a 75 minute set, accompanied by Paul Hodson on the bass and John Hare on the piano. I had intended to review his new record "Share Your Toys" separately but since he performed it in its entirety, that may be a little redundant. For anyone familiar with his work, SYT is not a huge departure from the endearing story driven folk of the previous three records.
The piano is used to good effect in the opener "Roger's Inventing Again", while "And Still They Move" catalogues Carl Sagan's love affair and the cosmos. Osborn's at his best with personal subject matter and "In Another Lifetime" proves a particular highlight, a lyrical letter to his children about the lives him and his wife used to lead. It's the only place you're likely to find the line "I was like a young Jan Molby". It's warm and funny, as is "Another Bath With You", a legitimately great comedic song in its own right.
I'm also delighted to now own a song that I've enjoyed hearing live before about Ian Beale. Or rather the man who plays him and how "The only thing he wants to be good at is being Adam Woodyatt". In between songs, Osborn's banter is witty and engaging, playfully batting away calls to perform "Jamie Cook", his song about Championship Manager for which he is mostly known.
There are a couple of dud moments. "Let Me Down Gently" about an abandoned lilo is one step too far into the world of whimsy, while a song with Suttie in the encore about a dream she had regarding P Diddy and a bingo hall probably shouldn't have left the house they used to live in together.
But no-one could take issue with Osborn's closer "Albert Went Out To See Rock Bands", his tribute to a gig goer of pensionable age, a joyous number showcasing the talents that will see me coming back for album five.
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