Sam Duckworth - The Lexington, London - 27th July 2011 (Live Review)
Monday, 01 August 2011
Written by James Ball
If you are in any way politically charged and love the Conservative Party in ways you can only love your mother (which, for the record, you are entitled to and this isn’t a politically charged review), then this gig probably wasn’t for you. Not for the quality of Sam Duckworth's excellent solo material, but more for the support acts protest songs intertwined with charming folk ditties. Most people in the Lexington watching this concert take place either didn’t care that their political stance was in question, or supported the messages going on, but this gig tonight, despite being very acoustic by nature, felt more like a rallying cry outlining the fact that democracy and free speech are still important.
So first up was emerging singer-songwriter Grace Petrie. A Leicester lass who has shared bills with Frank Turner and Billy Bragg, the influences of both clearly showing tonight. Apologising profusely and regularly about how depressing her lyrics are, she masks them with some damn good songs covering a wide variety of subjects from a humorous little love song dedicated to her cherished Vauxhall Cavalier (which has sadly lost its long battle to live and has gone to the great garage in the sky) and that idiot who threw the fire extinguisher off the top of Millbank Tower last year during the student protests. The crowd were initially lukewarm to her, having almost certainly never heard of her before (she had 450 followers on Twitter, which is miniscule for a touring artist), but quickly warmed to her fun tales, anecdotes and intricate songs. She left the stage after 30 minutes to rousing applause, and thoroughly deserved it was too.
Before my interview with Sam Duckworth (which will be on Stereoboard sooner rather than later, so keep your eyes peeled), a young lady approached me in the bar and asked if I was Chris T-T. I was slightly honoured by this, and then felt that maybe my beard had grown out of control. Nevertheless, when the real article walked on stage, he proved he has a lot more talent for wordplay and guitar picking than I can ever dream for, and boasting a back catalogue of multiple albums, he’s got plenty to choose from. Highlights from this set, again solo acoustic, included the haunting acapella M1 Song, a song sung in the true classic folk style back before people threw those new fangled guitars into the mix. Also previewing his upcoming, original Edinburgh Fringe show (which, based on this performance I would recommend), where he plays lines from A A Milnes childrens books, Chris T-T shows that while the premise of one man and his guitar is simple, he is always evolving and he remains lyrically relevant and aware.
So the main event, Sam Duckworth, leaving the other Get Capers behind for one of only two solo shows in support of new album The Mannequin (the other being a few nights prior in Nottingham), he takes to the stage to do his own soundcheck before giving those in attendance their first proper rendition of a whole new bunch of material. '18 to 1' will very quickly become your new favourite ballad. 'Angels in the Snow' is that slow burning epic in waiting and the title track 'The Mannequin' with its playful jumpy guitar show that Duckworth is still one of the greater singer-songwriters of our time. Anyone who gets a copy of the upcoming album on August 29th will not regret the purchase, especially if they’re fans of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly.
My only criticism of this performance is that the electric guitar being playing by associate Jay was too loud and drowned out the melody being played on Sams electro-acoustic. However, this was only a minor problem. Sam played up his 45-minute set to the crowd too and was in playful mood all night, proudly announcing that after the Murdoch newsbomb that’s exploded all over the place he has, despite being a lifelong wrestling and football fan, cancelled his Sky Sports subscription which drew cheers. Also when one member of the crowd “whooped” loudly during one song, Sam stopped, smiled, and then poked fun at him for a few minutes much to the Lexington crowds amusement.
All in all, three acts featuring a grand total of four performers, no drums, one electric guitar and a phenomenal venue (seriously, if you get to see a gig at The Lexington, check out the performance space as it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s beautiful and the sound quality is crystal clear) means that every single person left happy. They’ve found a new act to check out, an existing act they have seen perform at his best yet again, and a worthy headliner whose album is set to become an underground hit.
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So the main event, Sam Duckworth, leaving the other Get Capers behind for one of only two solo shows in support of new album The Mannequin (the other being a few nights prior in Nottingham), he takes to the stage to do his own soundcheck before giving those in attendance their first proper rendition of a whole new bunch of material. '18 to 1' will very quickly become your new favourite ballad. 'Angels in the Snow' is that slow burning epic in waiting and the title track 'The Mannequin' with its playful jumpy guitar show that Duckworth is still one of the greater singer-songwriters of our time. Anyone who gets a copy of the upcoming album on August 29th will not regret the purchase, especially if they’re fans of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly. 
