‘So long it’s been good to know you’ is the promotional tagline as Rod Picott brings the curtain down on the touring phase of his life. A sentiment shared by legions of fans who have embraced his music for a long time. The irony is that twenty-five years since hitting the road new venues and new fans are still being found. They are seeing an artist in a good place savouring every moment of this extended last dance.
Thimblemill Library is located in the Smethwick/Bearwood area on the Sandwell side of the Birmingham border and hosts a vibrant array of arts events. It was a new and fitting setting for one of the final shows before Picott heads home to pursue his literary passion.
With no support on the evening, the focus was on a pair of sets highlighting what has made Rod Picott such a well-respected figure on the touring circuit. Clad in a trademark denim shirt and through the gruff tone of well-tested vocals, he announced his arrival with ‘Digging Ditches’, almost a metaphor for the hard working persona blending tough toil with perception and moments of tenderness. The opening set proceeded to approach the hour mark with humour and reverence interspersing nine songs.
Amongst these were two live staples in ‘Elbow Grease’ and ‘Rust Belt Fields’, the latter eternally associated with Rod Picott strumming an acoustic guitar. Positive love songs are a rarer occurrence though ‘Angels and Acrobats’ showed they were in his locker. Hailed a “wedding song”, this was also cut by Amanda Shires, a regular touring partner for Picott before she sailed into different waters. He referred to her a couple of times during the show. Regular fans, of which a few made a long journey to the West Midlands, enjoyed the Brian Koppelman story attached to ‘Puncher’s Chance’ once again, with Picott’s long term songwriting buddy Slaid Cleaves featuring in the punchline.
Following the break, a slightly shorter second set saw the end of an era for some present whom Rod Picott has been a firm fixture on the touring horizon. Stories about his dad epitomising the tough Maine man have often featured in shows and two opening songs from the second set, ‘Your Father’s Tattoo’ and ‘Welding Burns’ , reflected his admiration. The latter will linger long after the touring dust has settled.
Rod Picott’s blue collar rhetoric has forged an identity. His records ooze with grit and the live show embodies every ounce of a working struggle. He bashfully remarks about “not learning a lot”. The truth is the way he conveys a way of life into the art of song has informed many. In a setting packed with books and knowledge, a further page of insight was offered from this esteemed songwriter.
The stories continued to flow from hanging plaster for a living to playing awful shows in a brewery in Iowa. Luckily, a library in Smethwick was more to his approval. We even had a request in ‘You’re Not Missing Anything’ as a final chance to bond with fans was grasped. Ultimately, Rod Picott is a solo songwriter, though his work with Slaid Cleaves is well documented. This evening we also had one he wrote with Fred Eaglesmith in ‘Getting to Me’.
Cover songs are not usually part of a Rod Picott show but one acted as a parting gift to a West Midlands fanbase. A version of Bob Dylan’s ‘I Want You’ was dedicated to his girlfriend Ashley who he was due to pick up from Heathrow the following morning. The emotion was obvious and thoughts turned to how much sacrifice had been made playing around 3750 shows over twenty-five years.
Thimblemill Library drew a line for many in the audience. A night sealing countless memories came to a close. “So long it’s been good to know you,” echoed from the floor as the crowd bade farewell to Rod Picott.
