Singer, songwriter and legendary guitarist Bernard Butler dropped in to Metronome recently to promote his new album. The result was a night of great music and fascinating stories from his 35 years in the business...
It could have been quite the night at Hockley’s Poison Inc bar on Tuesday. After wandering through Nottingham’s independent sector pre-gig, the shaggy-haired songwriter was tempted to pop in and take the stage at what appeared to be karaoke night.
"I thought about doing Livin’ On A Prayer, I’m sure Mr Jovi would’ve approved!" Butler quipped early on in his set. He certainly has the chops for it on this evidence.
In town to promote his latest long-player, Good Grief, the 54-year-old was in fine voice, both in and between songs, during a two-hour set. And, after nearly 35 years in the business which has seen him co-lead Britpop veterans Suede in their early days and collaborate with everyone from the joyous David McAlmont to Edwyn Collins, Duffy and The Cribs, the Londoner remains both an axeman and a producer in demand.
The warm and wistful Camber Sands proved an early highlight, while London Snow, a melancholic yet strangely uplifting homage to the capital, also hit the mark and stirred the emotions.
Butler's between song banter also proved enlightening. Tales of selling the first editions of the Sunday papers on Saturday nights in bustling Soho as a kid ("the spot to get was outside Ronnie Scott’s - if you go that one the man himself would come down and collect them and give you a big tip!") were interspersed with yarns about his songcraft and collaborations (most recently with actress-singer Jessie Buckley), which added to the all-round appeal of his performance.
20 Years A-Growing from the aforementioned Buckley hook-up was typically reflective, while a stripped down version of his soaring 1995 anthem Yes brought hazy 30-year-old memories flooding back. Butler’s social conscience was in evidence, too, as he rallied against the corporate super gigs sucking the life out of grassroots venues (with one Taylor Swift firmly in his sights), whilst also praising his teacher wife for keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
And although some of Butler’s blues-driven tracks failed to quite hit the mark, his sheer guitar virtuosity, which rightly puts him in the same stratosphere as peers Marr, Squire and Coxon, made up for tracks, which didn’t hit the heights.
One lengthy guitar solo was so reverentially observed it was followed by a clattering of seats and an exodus to the toilets for those not wishing to offend and make a run for it mid-song ("That one did go on a bit didn’t it?" Butler wryly stated).
It will be interesting to see which road he takes now – a troubadour in every sense of the word, I imagine there are still plenty of intriguing directions to turn yet.
Bernard Butler performed at Metronome on 11th June 2024, with Annie Dressner in support.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
