Washington Irving @ Glasgow’s 13th Note 28/02/10
Written by admin on March 2nd, 2010
Glasgow’s cherished 13th Note in the Trongate was waiting with open arms on Sunday for an evening oozing with Scottish talent. Originally scheduled for Saturday at The Research Club (which sadly went into administration this week) loyal fans weren’t thrown by the last minute change in venue and turned up eagerly with high expectations of the night’s line up.
We all know two’s company and three’s a crowd, so six? This must be the new four. With this many involved it’s no surprise Washington Irving were able to bang out their set loud enough for the rest of Scotland to get wind of what they were missing. With the stage overflowing with talent, literally, the band came together showing off a range of quirky instruments. Squeezed into the 13th Note there was nothing uncomfortable about the sound produced.
Starting off with ‘Sisi’, making you want to link arms with the person next to you and start dancing around, they played with real conviction. The moment Roslyn Potter’s flute kicks in you can’t help but smile. The Maracas in ‘In the Chill’ and the blow-organ in ‘The Magician’ are just two of a catalogue of musical versatility hidden within each member of this band, as they casually pick up and play all sorts of instruments as though found lying around on stage.
A special mention to Ceylan Hay who had the gruelling task of warming the crowd - she sang like an angel. Out came a voice you could fall asleep to as it soared and wove together exquisitely with her guitar. Unfortunately she had to cut the set short due to a cold!
An appreciation for home grown talent always brings out a little something special at a gig like this and we were honoured Washington Irving decided to spend their second birthday (to the day) with us, whether intentional or not. The band is full of surprises – drummer, Chris McGarry, emerging without any shoes as he switched to keyboard for ‘Hard 2 Know‘. They left the up beat ‘Dancer’ til lucky last, finally releasing the crowd from their firm grip and with more reasons to love them.
A memorable second birthday it was and with nothing secondary about it. Washington Irving will head out across Scotland with Three Blind Wolves and the French Wives later in March and early April.
Words: Ashten MacDonald
Pics: Aimee NcNally
