Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There has been much hype about Coral drummer turned multi-instrumentalist Ian Skelly’s debut solo offering Cut From a Star and on its homecoming performance in the Zanzibar, it is not hard to see why.

The album itself pays great homage to the late-60s, a psychedelic haze of folk/pop, the type of which Liverpool seems to be generating by the bucket load in recent months. However, Skelly’s ability to transfer this onto the live stage is breathtaking. His band, supported by younger brother James on guitar, provides the perfect backdrop whilst Ian takes the plaudits up front. A man generally used to the back of the stage has taken the transition to front man with an ease many might not have expected.  His stage presence is strong and whilst chatter with his audience is kept to a minimum, there is an aura about Skelly which keeps the packed to the rafters Zanzibar’s attentions solely in one place.

The stand out tracks of the set were the album’s title track and Paper Sky, both of which incorporate the sparkling arpeggios and whirring guitar sounds that one has come to expect of any Coral based project.

That is not to detract from the rest of the set, however.  The incredibly melodic D.N.A. and It’s Only Love, like Cut From a Star before them, see Fiona Skelly and Niamh Rowe of The Sundowners join Skelly on stage to provide some fitting harmonies. Caterpillar meanwhile sees Skelly in full psychedelic mode. The softer, harmonic sound of that came earlier is cast aside and Skelly’s vocals take on a stronger, much more distorted feel.

This doesn’t last long and by Nickel and a Dime Skelly has reverted back to the melodic sound fans of the album will have come to cherish.

As the night draws to a close, Skelly quipping “Erm… We’ve run out of songs.” The band launch into a cover of The Byrds’ classic Mr. Spaceman, just about as fitting an ending as there could be.

William McIntosh