Posted by tom
on 10/8/2009, 12:55 am
86.152.231.104
Saturday 3rd October 2009
It's hard to believe it, but it's been nearly 20 years since Inspiral Carpets' debut album "Life" hit the streets. Part of the infamous 'baggy' scene in Manchester, they always seemed slightly overshadowed by The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. However, they posessed something that neither of those bands did, namely a singer who could actually sing! The man himself, Tom Hingley, is making a return visit to Esquires tonight. He is promoting new solo album "Thames Valley delta blues" which is released on 12th October. It's been a while, but well worth the wait.
Tom comes on to the stage and announces his first song. He encourages us to move a little closer, even "those kids from Haynes sitting in the corner". He claims that he does smell, but only of Ambrosia rice! "Saturn 5 " is the first song. People quieten down and the hairs on the back of my neck start to stand up. Tom claims the next song might not be very good, "but at least it's not Michael Jackson"! "Dragging me down" and "Joe" follow. Although lacking the trademark organ, these songs still have everyone transfixed. I cannot imagine an acoustic set of some of todays music going down particularly well in 20 years time. There is a pause after this as Tom tells us that he has a piece of tape stuck to his shoe and has to remove it. Another 'oldie' "Directing traffic" is next and Tom thanks the "pop children".
Now we take a turn down a bluesier road as we hear a version of "Back door man", probably more familiar by The Doors. There is banjo aplenty as we go into the next few songs including "Dog suit"and "Lake of fire". At this point we do start to wander slightly into Deliverance territory and some members of the audience start shuffling round a bit wondering where the pop hits went. Lucky for them that the next song is "This is how it feels". This gets faster and faster towards the end. Obviously a bit of a breather is required after all that excitement, so Tom gets everyone to clap along to his version of "Mercedes Benz". It could be worse though, we are threatened with Craig David! Now we are having some mandolin solos. Don't say you don't get something different at Esquires! I'm unfamiliar with the next couple of songs and Tom doesn't do set lists, so they will have to remain a mystery, but they were good - honest! At this point we are told "I feel like Roy Castle without the talent!". It is also an opportunity to plug the CD, sort of, as Tom tells us that he "has some CD's for sale including some Shakin' Stevens". He tells us that the next song, "Don't want to be a fighter any more" is about his dad. This is also on the forthcoming album. My only disappointment was that there weren't any songs from "Keep Britain untidy". I'll have to listen to that in the car.
Afterwards the CD's came out and Tom was more than happy to chat and sign stuff. I particularly enjoyed the tale about being beaten up by the Axl Rose of a G'n'R tribute band! A highly entertaining night and a top bloke. Buy the album!
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