Midge Ure at The Jam House. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. February 20th 2012.

L.S. Media Rating *****

Ignore those who say with a surprised conviction in their voice, “Really, Midge Ure? Why hasn’t he retired yet?”  For what’s the point in retirement from something you enjoy doing and the love you feel in return from fans that not only have followed your long and satisfying career from the start but also the amount of new, younger fans that were in abundance at The Jam House in Edinburgh.

Midge’s gigs always seem packed out. The word gets round and in the case of the Jam House sells so well that there is standing room only at the back on an occasion that was made for cabaret style seating. It’s not an unreasonable suggestion that being back in his native Scotland may have played a part but that would be problematic as whether he plays in Birkenhead, Bilston or Wolverhampton, the expectation is always high, the turn out, massive and the reception, true and sincere. This is why people like Midge Ure shouldn’t retire, not for a good while yet!

The acoustics in The Jam House suit perfectly any band but Midge always seems to bring the best out of any venue with his vocal range and intense, stirring and passionate performances. When you add in the set list which reads like a dream for his fans it no wonder that at the end of a peerless performance the audience were talking of when they could make the next gig.

Midge opened up the set with Waiting Days and Love’s Great Adventure, from there the assembled customers, and the multitude of fans of this talented musician and in all honesty decent guy were thrilled over and over again. Midge in recent years has covered many songs that inspired him before his days in Ultravox and his burgeoning solo career. None the least amongst these were the highlights of a tremendous show. There really isn’t any way you can go wrong with such beautiful songs as David Bowie’s Lady Stardust and possibly one of the greatest songs ever written, Peter Green’s Man of the World, being played with respect and delicate poise.

The crowd were stirred further with Visage’s Fade to Grey, the tantalising and bitter sounding You Lied and the wonderful Hymn.

A sensational night at The Jam House was rounded off perfectly with the song that was kept off the top spot of the charts by default, the inspiring and heart pounding Vienna. The intensity of this particular song made the decision to play at this fantastic Edinburgh venue, one that was inspired and logical.

It really doesn’t come better than this.

Ian D. Hall