Goodnight Jim Bob I - 5 June 2002
Big Note at the Hope and Anchor

A live review by Tony Drayton

The rain comes down like um, rain coming down really heavily; going out is for madmen only but there we are, packed into the Big Note night to see what Jim Bob Morrison is going to do acoustically...and what a night we had.
First on is a young lady with a great voice, Karen Butler-Meadows. Her disarming stage-manner belies some powerful songs, which show her acoustic guitar is fully locked and loaded.
Next up are Leads and Wires, with Fruit Bat from Carter on guitar and a couple of Stereoworld players in the line-up; but this is no knocked-together knockabout jamming session. Ben on vocals and mouth-piano (!) leads us into the velveteen depths of his soul through a series of accomplished, 3rd VU album-styled songs climaxing with a spine-tingling 'Pale Blue Eyes'.
Bransby comes on next, showing no fear as he holds the baying crowd at bay with his acoustic guitar and his charm. Hecklers heckle and Bransby wins us over with his frank response, then he begins to sing and the emotional triggers he pulls in the lyrics of his songs leave us reeling for more. Ellen, a female co-vocalist, joins him for the last few songs; and their back and forth verses on the song 'Plenty More Fish In The Sea' build to a crescendo that makes you wonder why these people aren't national heroes.
Then Robert Newman comes on; ex-Newman and Baddiel, the stand-up turned writer. Rob Newman makes it clear he isn't a stand-up anymore then knocks us dead for twenty comedy minutes with material from his new book. His wisecracks and banter show you can take the Newman out of Comedy but you can't take the comedian out of the Newman.
Now it is time for James Robert Morrison, who thanks us all for being there, sits on a stool, straps on his acoustic guitar and then the night really takes off.
I've seen Jim play a fair few times but tonight; whether it is the intimate ambience or whatever, tonight his acoustic songs such as 'Arms Race' and 'One Too Many' have a new and punchy focus.
'Prince In A Pauper's Grave' is the only Carter song Jim plays tonight, it goes down a storm but best of all was last song of the night, JSSW's 'Touchy Feely'. I reckon 'Touchy Feely' is meant to be an ironic statement about stadium bands' anthems. Here it's come back with feelgood vengeance because, god dammit, I FEEL GOOD singing along. Had I a cigarette lighter I'd be holding it aloft, swaying with the best of them.
Jim Bob, what a man. He created an unstoppable sex machine called Carter, ate himself, came back and now throws beautiful, musical pearls to us swine, just for a laugh, just for a laugh.
I tell you what, I've paid a lot more to see big names fail to deliver; Jim played down here for bugger all and was better than any of them. Top man.