Gig review: LLoyd Cole – Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh
By David Pollock
Published on Saturday 12 November 2011 11:00
LLOYD Cole, his audience may or may not have been surprised to hear, often cries while hes writing a new song. But then he cries at a Bruce Willis movie, so that doesnt tell us a lot.
Perhaps only that a delicate, youthful poetic heart is at least as important to his music as the charges of world-weary miserablism which were always laid in his direction. Although those werent entirely unfounded. Increasingly frequently I feel like Im washed up and not going to be coming out (on tour) again, he said bemoaning his backs ability to keep withstanding transatlantic flights hes now 50 and based in Massachusetts and floating the possibility this could be his last Edinburgh show. Im not feeling like that today, he reassured his devout crowd, and we should hope he doesnt for a long time.
Despite being a simple solo acoustic set, played by a man in slouchy black jeans and T-shirt whos growing a moustache because it might distract you from my gut, this show was an emphatic reminder of Coles immense and often under-recognised talents as a singer of formidable quality and a songwriter with a gift for hypnotic, heart-filling lyricism.
A set in two parts, of almost 40 songs, could have afforded a lot of slack, but there was precious little here. Instead, a slew of acoustically repurposed hits (Rattlesnakes, Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?, Perfect Skin) and unheralded classics (such as a chiming No More Love Songs) reinforced the enduring breadth and strength of his talent.
Rating: ****
Link to original article online
Publication: The Scotsman
Publication date: 12/11/11