James Yorkston & The Athletes at Central Station, Wrexham
Wednesday 13th October 2004
CD: Just Beyond the River
Sandy-haired James Yorkston is blessed with a great gift: that of being able to write beautiful songs.,
For years he was playing in Punk bands and DJ’ing in a Reggae club. Having had
a considerable ear – bashing from those days, he’s finally come of age, where
he now writes the music he always wanted to. So what is it? Some might call it
drone-folk. I call it music ; pure and simple.
By his own admission he’s not a folk musician in the purist sense, though the
influences are plain to hear, especially on the 5 track EP Somewhere Special.
There’s nothing flash about his recordings or his live performances. The
overall sound is very stripped-down and direct. Fronting his three-piece band
The Athletes, he dropped by at Wrexham’s Central Station and thrilled the
forty-plus crowd with his unique blend of material, giving a masterclass in
the process.
Touring to promote their new album, Just Beyond The River, they proved
they’re at the cutting edge of 21st century contemporary folk.
During a mostly chilled-out ninety minute set, they drew a setlist from the
three releases. As a unit they played tightly, rotating instruments such as
harmonium, bouzouki, double bass, mandolin, accordion, concertina, banjo and
harmonica. Traditionally making up the setlist as they go along, they gently
lead us in with In Your Hands - a cool and relaxed ballad, as most them
tend to be.
Surf Song a rewind of late night skinny-dipping with a girlfriend is a
wonderful lament on what might have been. Things turned up a pace with
Moving Up Country, sounding like a wild west epic landscape as
Yorkston’s harmonica breaks became a breathtaking showstopper.
This was equalled by The Cheating Game, possibly their most sing-along
tune of the night, again pointing to a relationship held very much at a
distance – for whatever reason, as Faisal Rahman’s brushes skated the skins
at pace. Hotel, a gentle melancholic ballad, made the hairs stand on
end as guitar, bouzouki, accordion and banjo weaved their way as a backdrop
for the star – crossed lovers.
Further moments of instrumental magic came with the pulsating banjo work of
Yorkston on Banjo #1, yet another foray into some kind of American
traditional back catalogue – reminding me of early Eagles. This was the
highpoint of the night as the collective pulled out the stops on a rousing romp.
Finishing the night they couldn’t avoid a traditional Scottish song – Blue
Blazing Blind Drunk in semi-a capella style.
Reflective, bitter-sweet memories of women and drink littered the night as he
fondly handled the lyrics which I’m certain, resonate with us all from time
to time. One of the best bands I’ve had the privilege of hearing. Stunning.
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This was equalled by The Cheating Game, possibly their most sing-along
tune of the night, again pointing to a relationship held very much at a
distance – for whatever reason, as Faisal Rahman’s brushes skated the skins
at pace. Hotel, a gentle melancholic ballad, made the hairs stand on
end as guitar, bouzouki, accordion and banjo weaved their way as a backdrop
for the star – crossed lovers.
