Live Review: Tom Hingley, Taser Puppets & Bill Orrick

The Continental

17^th February 2012

Tom Hingley is a former member of the Inspiral Carpets but he has toured consistently throughout his career. He has done this as both a solo artist and with a band called ‘The Lovers’. So when he delivers a set that is as confident and nostalgic as it is fresh it comes as little surprise. This is a performer who has continued to learn, never resting on his laurels and this shines through during his performance. Admittedly, there are a few Inspiral Carpets classics in there, but when they go down so well it can’t be considered a bad thing. The audience have been mostly sat at tables for the evening but these tunes get them to their feet for a dance.

It’s the newer material that is the strongest though. Hingley, from a family of academics, is currently studying for a PhD in Music Performance. His newer material gets the most passionate performances so when he draws from 2009 solo album Thames Valley Delta Blues; the set is as its peak. It fails to draw the same reactions from the crowd, but the strength of the music still draws rapturous applause.

Sandwiched awkwardly between two fantastic acts are Taser Puppets; an injection of middle-aged punk rock for a middle-aged crowd. As much as they remind us that their songs are drawn from an EP available from the lead singers brother; there is never any indication that the audience is willing to invest. The songs are solid but unimaginative and they don’t necessarily fit in between Tom Hingley and Bill Orrick. That isn’t their fault but you have to wonder why they were booked for tonight. Midway through the set a string snaps, and the audience seems disappointed that they have a back-up guitar.

The greatest thing about Bill Orrick is his voice. It is Jeff Buckley through and through and if the legend hadn’t sadly passed away; Orrick would probably be subbing for him at Glastonbury. Actually, the best thing about Bill Orrick is his ability to pull out a wide array of covers. Tonight we hear three, the best of which is a fantastic version of Running Up That Hill, by Kate Bush originally. On the other hand, you could say that the finest thing about Bill Orrick is his original material. Our Own Little Place and, in particular, penultimate song Oblivious blow those covers out of the water and show him as the great songwriter he is. They were created with the band Pencil-In but they sound exceptional performed solo. Really, you couldn’t choose the best thing about a Bill Orrick performance.