Oooh, Leeds! Callahan and Bramwell

Sometimes Leeds is a good place.  And here's to 2 of Leeds' medium sized venues, namely the Irish Centre and the Brudenell Social Club!  Why?  Well...in the space of 3 days I've seen 2 of the world's current songwriting geniuses (geniei?) in venues where I could hear and see 'em properly.

Wednesday was Bill Callahan at the Irish Centre - a man who tells stories that both ring true and are clearly (sometimes) made up.  A man who can twist a song's meaning around with a single pause or a single word.  A man who gets better and better who's latest album is a work of genius (there's that word again).

I may write more later but for now you really should buy his latest album followed by his back catalogue.  His band is ace too - everything perfectly chosen, tasteful in a proper rock and roll way...

And last night John Bramwell (from I am Kloot) doing a solo set at the Brudenell Social Club (the venue where everyone you love was on 6 months ago and you missed them...) - tales of love, the stars, the meaning of everyday life, the moon and ordinary things from a romantic poet who owns a van.  The man is a staggeringly good guitar player - I don't mean in the diddly diddly look how fast he can play way but in the clever subtle choice of chords, runs, backing bits...but most of all brilliant, brilliant songs.

To explain the 'van' comment...I Am Kloot have a song that includes the line 'put your (or 'the' can't remember) suitcase in the van'.  And this sums up to me where his songs come from - He is indeed a romantic poet but he's the sort of romantic poet that, were you to run away with, you'd do it in a Transit and not in a horse and carriage or a limo.

So, two blindingly great singer / songwriters.  Both over 30 (and more!) and at the absolute top of their game.  AND I GOT TO SEE THEM LIVE, IN PERSON, IN THE FLESH IN THE SPACE OF 3 DAYS IN LEEDS!  This is a bit like stumbling across Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan playing at your local pub in the same week...

Point is that you can see songwriting geniuses in Leeds at good venues (and £1.98 for a pint of Theakston's at the Brudenell people!) and you really should do it.  100 years after they're dead they'll be hailed by the whole world (well, possibly) and they're out and about now...

OK, I promise to get miserable again soon...