Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
To sing on a stage, to perform as a duo when normally your live set is a tight and almost unbreakable foursome, to play as though your voice is smiling, is something that just has to be seen and witnessed. For Jimmy and The Revolvers that quality of being able to pull off all three requirements to being to being considered having greatness thrust upon them is one that comes with a humble shrug of the shoulders and a unsaid apology as if to say, “Well why wouldn’t we?”
The mid-afternoon sun inside St. Luke’s had filled out the audience to the point where cosy and comfortable met and shook hands. The giants may well have thrilled the Liverpool streets a couple of weeks before but like a genial ghost who refuses to leave lest someone gets into trouble, giants, in the form of Jimmy and The Revolvers stood on the stage again.
To listen to somebody, to take in not just the words or the way they say it, but also how it effects them as emotions tumble out of them, is an honour and a privilege. To hear a singer use words that sound as though that each word is causing the voice to smile and beam with the ferocity of a searchlight bouncing off a thousand mirrors is much more than that, it is the very essence of what drives you to go in search of live music in the first place. This smile is like seeing the mixed marriage of John Lennon, a man who also had this uncanny ability, and the great Joe Brown, the voice that smiles is one too adore!
Even on a short set and with half the band missing, the songs came out like a steam train flying along the GWR line breaking records and hearts as it speed through the British countryside. From Lonely and Shine to a rather good version of Paul Simon’s classic track Me and Julio Down By The School Yard and a blistering finish with Sunday Morning, the pair on stage heartened the gathered audience who were obviously enthralled by the music on offer from this very cool Liverpool band.
There are moments when you curse the gods for only allowing so much time in a day, watching Jimmy and The Revolvers for a short period, you could only wish they had more time, however time is plentiful when you think back to this particular instance, a great set is always endless when you can enjoy it.
Jimmy and The Revolvers will be performing at Studio 2 on Parr Street on August 29th as support to Nick Waterhouse.
Ian D. Hall
Jimmy and The Revolvers, St Luke’s Church, Liverpool. August 2014.