Hugh Laurie - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - June 29th 2012 (Live Review)
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Written by Heather McDaid
Career path crossovers in the realms of celebrity often prove embarrassing endeavours, ones that appear an attempt to extend their brand or test something out because they have the opportunity. However, for House and Blackadder star Hugh Laurie, this is not the case.
As he arrived into Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall for a two hour set, few were there to see Dr. House; 2011's bluesy record 'Let Them Talk' charmed listeners worldwide, so much so his appearance threw the venue into adoring roars.
The show is quirky, it's intimate and it's personal. With numerous slanted lamps and a rug to tie the stage together, this feels more relaxed than most shows. As Hugh and his band took to the stage, he immediately sets the tone for the evening, making a joke with a whiskey in hand.
What's most notable about the evening is not necessarily the fantastic renditions of classic blues numbers, but the way in which he introduces them. Besides the repetitive 'this is a song', which became a joke for the evening, he could relate the history of the tracks and the artist, even adding his own personal feelings towards many. See, this isn't testing out a new career path - this is a man paying homage to the music he is unashamedly in love with.
This feeling translates. Be it his heartfelt vocals, the New Orleans-esque drawl he takes on as he sings or just the way he grins and claps along as his other musicians take centre stage for a solo. In or out of the spotlight, Hugh laps up the music. He treated fans in attendance to a string of numbers including 'Let Them Talk' and 'St. James Infirmary', the evening proved an amalgamation of good music, laughter and the occasional dram.
Many have been waiting a long time for Hugh Laurie to perform in Scotland and this proved to be entirely worth the wait. Each member of his band had their moment to flaunt their musical abilities, all of which went down a treat, and the man of the evening was as wonderful and passionate as you could have imagined. It's just a shame he probably won't be back for quite some time.
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