VERSAcoustic @ The Goat
stripping performers down to the essentials and allowing them to demonstrate their craft
| 11 Jan 2007
VERSAcoustic aims to showcase bands in a more intimate setting, stripping performers down to the essentials and allowing them to demonstrate the craft behind their songs. Both the Yellow Bentines and Popup are usually associated with cheery pop, but their songs about girls and memory translate well into the acoustic form.
Popup's combination of male and female vocals is particularly enchanting, and their sense of melancholic melody is revealed. The Yellow Bentines, on the other hand, driven by Sarah's wistful trumpet and Martin Hay's bouncy piano, retain a joyful pace. These two satisfying sets from Glasgow's emerging talents are well received by the partisan crowd, but it is James Yorkston who fully demonstrates the possibilities of a minimal sound. His folk guitar picking and rich, warm voice, along with his obvious mastery of the solo performance, hushes the audience and highlights his songwriting skills. Without his usual backing band, Yorkston is a fine component of the new folk movement, linking back to Nick Drake and Martin Carthy, but without forgoing a contemporary feel. [Gareth K Vile]
Popup's combination of male and female vocals is particularly enchanting, and their sense of melancholic melody is revealed. The Yellow Bentines, on the other hand, driven by Sarah's wistful trumpet and Martin Hay's bouncy piano, retain a joyful pace. These two satisfying sets from Glasgow's emerging talents are well received by the partisan crowd, but it is James Yorkston who fully demonstrates the possibilities of a minimal sound. His folk guitar picking and rich, warm voice, along with his obvious mastery of the solo performance, hushes the audience and highlights his songwriting skills. Without his usual backing band, Yorkston is a fine component of the new folk movement, linking back to Nick Drake and Martin Carthy, but without forgoing a contemporary feel. [Gareth K Vile]