Emma Pollock live

It's a while since i've been blogging, and it's not through a lack of things to say. Maybe it's a lack of time, or i just can't be bothered anymore. Perhaps it has run it's course. Maybe I'll offer the odd review, but perhpas my time can be better spent. If i get loads of people saying - chris we love reading your blog, i may change my mind. I doubt that is a likely outcome.

So it was a little over a week ago i went to see emma pollock performing live at leeds Brudenell Social Club. I'd been looking forward to this gig for ages. Emma used to be a member of the delgados, one of my all time favourite bands, and i was also a little apprehensive that i'd just will it to be good, even if it wasn't. Thankfully there was no need for any rose tinted glasses, the performance was fine and some of the songs were extremely good too. Her husband, paul savage, played the drums, though on future tours another drummer will be employed. I sent a review off to planet sound, but the editor went to see her live in London, so his review was aired and thus far mine has not been screened.

I'd gone straight from work as I'd planned to work from our leeds office. Not familiar with this venue, or indeed with leeds, i set off in the car, spying a maccy D i decided to pull in and get something to eat. Thinking ahead i'd remembered to bring a book with me and i 'enjoyed' a delicious meal whilst reading. It must've been my lucky day as i won a mcfluffy or whatever it is they call an ice cream there. Headed on down towards the venue, i was still a bit early so read some more before trying to seek it out. Found the place, some kind of working mens club, and the doors didn't open till 8pm, i'd guessed a 7:30 opening. The club bar was open, so i ventured inside, drinking a j20 cos i was driving. Got a funny look when i asked if i could have a glass for my drink when presented with a bottle. Scanned the room and amongst the smoking men there was an indie looking kid. Got to be going to the gig I thought, so siddled over and started chatting with him. No gig goer, but a nice guy, in fact he was writing a book and we talked quite a bit about writing and things. That was great and inspired me to get on with my prose. Went into the next door room about 8:20, the doors finally open. Saw Emma by the bar and had a chat with her, she's really very pleasant and seemed guenuinely pleased that an old delgado fan had come along. I'll maybe post my teletext review here, but i'll give it a couple more days to see if it gets a screening.
Below are a couple of youtube links of the performance and John Earl's review.

Emma Pollock teletext review

Just before we left to go to greenbelt on friday I had a chance to see my teletext review for the emma pollock gig at the leadmill. Emma sent me an email saying that she had seen the review too! I always find it exciting to see one of my reviews on the tv. In fact when i got back from greenbelt I had a letter from teletext as I had won another £10 gift voucher for 'review of the week' don't know for which review though. maybe it was this one, but the letter was dated 11th august, and my previous review to this was probably my adem one.
Just for your info, any further greenbelt posts will be dated retrospectively, so that those who aren't too interested in the minutiae of the details can skip them. My photos from the weekend are now uploaded onto flickr in my greenbelt 2006 set.

Emma Pollock live

Thursday night I went to the leadmill to see emma pollock support a guy called m ward. I'd been quite excited about this gig for a while, a chance to hear how her solo project was coming on. It certainly sounded good, and strange to see her playing without the rest of the delgados. These tunes have taken a more folky orientation with the vocals being central. Though with this being an acoustic set it is difficult to imagine what the fuller sound of the album will be like. The showcased melodies certainly sound like a good starting place. I got chance to have a quick chat with her and jamie after the gig. There was a rumour going around last year that she was writing some songs for the sugarbabes. She informed me that this was correct, she had been approached by their production team, but they didn't select any of her tunes. Her solo album should be out next year on 4AD, something to look forward to.

Emma Pollock

Just been browsing emma pollock's website and discover that as part of her summer uk tour she will be playing at the leadmill on 17th august. Superb, some of you may know that emma was one of the members of the delgados perhaps one of the best ever bands, and also founding member of the seminal chemikal underground records. I heartily advise people in the sheffield area to check it out (she will be the support act on the night) and if you are not in the area, check her website in case she is playing near you. I have heard a few tracks when she played on Tom Robinson's show on 6music, and also a track performed for a scottish music programme. All of them excellent. Can't wait - though I best get myself a ticket!