Fyfe Dangerfield
Oran Mor, Glasgow
30/09/2010

A stage crammed with instruments sets the scene tonight, but it’s a false start. The violin isn’t loud enough. A quick apology follows and the atmosphere is re-set with strings and slide guitar making for a minimal intro of ‘Faster Than The Setting Sun’. Elegant acoustic number ‘Live Wire’ gradually introduces the rest of the band and demonstrates a musical subtlety that continues throughout a well structured set of songs from Fyfe Dangerfield’s solo album, ‘Fly Yellow Moon’.

Less chaotic than a typical Guillemots performance, the emphasis at this Oran Mor show is definitely on the songs. And Dangerfield’s main band’s improvisation and jazzier influences are replaced by a measured, orchestral pop sound; indeed, it’s easy to imagine a full ensemble going to town on some of these tunes. ‘Brand New’ picks up the pace and shows no fear of a little retro-pop cheesiness, the audience create a seaside sound effect for ‘High On The Tide’ and then Dangerfield’s enthusiasm for The Beatles is demonstrated with an acoustic cover of ‘The Fool On The Hill’. It is also reflected in the Fab Four style black suits and ties chosen for tonight’s stage-wear.

The band amps it up for the singles ‘Walk In The Room’ and ‘She Needs Me’ before ‘Don’t Be Shy’ brings it down again; Dangerfield’s soft vocals a perfect match for the delicate strings. The “song off the television”, Billy Joel’s ‘Always A Woman’, is a definite ‘film it for YouTube’ moment that eventually silences the room. And as the show ends on a stadium-friendly repeat of ‘Faster Than The Setting Sun’, the loudest cheer of the night greets the news that the new Guillemots album is ready to be mixed and will be out next year. Fyfe does solo admirably well, but his old venture is clearly not forgotten.

Lucy Brouwer