The English Midlands is far from unknown territory for Ben
Glover. Support slots for Brandy Clark and Mary Gauthier have raised his
profile in Birmingham, while a similar role for Gretchen Peters had a repeat
effect after shows in Bromsgrove and Leamington Spa. Maybe a little further
afield, but a decent gathering in Shrewsbury when co-headlining with Angel Snow
showed potential away from being the opening act. Well now the time has come to
step out of the shadows as a performing artist in the UK as Ben began his first
headline tour at Birmingham’s premier listening venue – the Kitchen Garden Café.A coup for Nashville based Ben on these run of dates across mainland Britain and his native Ireland is acquiring the services of ace guitarist Colm McClean for sparring duties. Together their guitars blended into a melange of acoustic bliss providing a special setting for Ben’s highly acclaimed songs to burst into life. Colm was a key figure in Gretchen Peters’ touring band when she played our isles last year and drew praise for helping lift these shows onto a plateau of unmatched rivalry. This evening the same skill was applied to Ben’s songs which while springing up from a number of sources, bases and projects each contain a high degree of accomplishment.
This inaugural UK tour has been named after Ben’s latest
album THE EMIGRANT. Five songs from this record were sprinkled across the brace
of sets which formed the show. ‘A Song of
Home’ – one of the key promotional tracks – drew a gasp of audience
approval upon completion, while ‘Heart in
My Hand’ re-affirmed its prime status as one of the stand-out numbers from
the release. Ben’s buoyancy and informative chat grew as the gig progressed
leading to some background to the song ‘Moonshiner’
and why the whole theme of the record, especially the title track, has personal
resonance to him. It was fitting to end the second set with a version of a
traditional closer, ‘The Parting Glass’.
Each time this song is heard thoughts go back to the Wailin’ Jennys singing it
in Worcester around a decade ago, albeit in a contrasting style to Ben’s rugged
tones.
One of Ben’s most intriguing projects in recent years was
his collaboration with Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard in The Orphan Brigade.
The evening began with the track ‘Sweetheart’
from that album, but it wasn’t until the second half before the audience were
fully briefed on the supernatural goings on in Octagon Hall – a place which
needs to extend its opening hours to a Monday! Not surprisingly the tale of a
flirtatious ghost ‘Trouble My Heart (Oh
Harriet)’ was the other chosen song to share from that record, with full
approval here.
While fans of Ben would have been well versed with much of
the show’s content, the most revealing parts were the next Orphan Brigade
project which has just been recorded in Italy. The same team this time headed
to Southern Europe to explore the mystique, aura and fascination of a
subterranean setting; full of tales, emotion and exploring the unknown. Three
immensely engaging songs were previewed from this upcoming release, each
providing an absorbing inspiration. ‘Pain
is Gone’ and ‘Pile of Bones’ will
both have their day as the album evolves, but ‘Flying Joe’ is straight off the blocks as a potential live favourite.
Look out for this highly anticipated record which is set to see the light of
day later this year.
You didn’t have to search too far to come across audience
members attracted to this show from the Gretchen Peters angle. Therefore Ben
had no hesitancy in delivering three of his songs co-written with Gretchen
including two off her latest album – ‘Blackbirds’
and ‘Pretty Things’. While the first
of these also appeared on Ben’s previous album ATLANTIC, there was some
contemplative thought of committing the other to record in the future. Perhaps
a lesser known song in ‘The Mississippi Turns
Blue’ completed the trio, but still another fine effort and one of the
focal points of the ATLANTIC album alongside ‘Too Long Gone’ which was featured early in the set.
There is no apology in making the review song laden as this
is Ben’s golden currency and what is set to serve him well long into the
future. While on the topic of remuneration, the story behind the song ‘Whatever Happens Will’ is a staple of
his live show and a message that sometimes you take what you get. Just one song
left to comment on and an old standard that needs little introduction other
than this Kitchen Garden audience matched the Glee Club in September for
ploughing their vocal might into ‘Ring of
Fire’.
Ben Glover writes songs that demand intense listening and
contain an earthy substance that is perfectly suited to a coarse vocal style
etching each emotion conveyed in the lyrics. The merging of an Emerald Isle
roaming soul with the deep psyche of the Nashville song writing community is
creating an artist and performer of moving capability. The gamble of heading
back to the homeland devoid of the comfort blanket has paid off. This show at
the Kitchen Garden Café is the start of a very promising chapter in the musical
adventure of Ben Glover.