Babyshambles @ Blank Canvas
By Danny MartinExcuse me in advance. I may rant slightly in this review.
First off the trains lashed up, severely. Forcing me and my able sidekick to go gig-goer hunting at Shipley train station in order to round up a posse who could get a mini-bus taxi with us instead. Thus we managed and arrived in Leeds about 8.30pm... drastically eating into a) our chances of catching the much raved Paddingtons and b) beer time.
Secondly Blank Canvas is a sham. Ok it's big, and ok the sound is pretty damn good. But it really lacks in atmosphere, is a pre-jumping round sweatbox, and most importantly drained me of money, charging £3 for a poxy bottle of Becks, £2 a bottle of water and no tap beers.
Rant, Rant, Huff, Huff, Rant.
Sod all that though, Babyshambles were electric! Pete Doherty is already one of the most important music figures in English music history. I grew up during the Roses rise and demise. I journeyed with Noel and Liam every step of the way, whom, despite the knock downs they receive are still an important force in British music. And I, 20 years after the breakthrough felt the importance of the impact the likes of the Ramones and the Clash had on generations of people. And yet, and believe me I don't say this lightly, Peter could and should eclipse them all. I pray this is back at the bosom of his lifelong fellow Libertine Carl Barat, with whom electricity appears like none I have ever witnessed. Hooking your life and mind into their world. "I am a Libertine forever it seems, because I see Arcadia in all of my dream".
The format tonight is familiar, punky trashy guitar riffs crashing relentlessly through cheetah paced melodies. Pete drunkenly drawling through his immense array of tunes which make up the "Babyshambles" sessions. As many will be aware all Babyshambles songs are available only as free downloads on websites established by Doherty himself to allow fans access to his life's work.
Standouts are definitely the infamous "What Katie did" and delightful "KillAManforHisGiro". These were just a pick in what was a jaw dropping set, which included the wonderfully talented Dott Allison making a welcome appearance to join Doherty to add her smooth, luxurious voice to a few tunes. However without taking away from the talent of his assembled band, Babyshambles is Pete Doherty. And one wonders whether it is the "scream at the top of your lungs" moment that Doherty needs. In a breath attempting to expel all the nonsense that floats around his head, pinning him firmly back on planet earth and allowing his transmission back into the Libertines fold. To finish the journey to musical Arcadia which he and Barat harp so harmoniously on about.
"Wolfman" just about finished me off. The plug was pulled due to notoriously Pete-esque late arrival and hence late finish. So maybe I should cut out the rant bit of this review? The evening was magical. Babyshambles perfect and it was all topped off by a bit of a jig in the cockpit afters. What more can one ask for?
