Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The music Rooms of the Philharmonic Hall are exactly the type of venue that were made for the writings and compositions of an artist such as Findlay Napier, the sense of beauty that is carried within the lyrics, the harmony that exists between musician and their chosen weapon of virtue and the deeply held implication of the offering that can be felt without being blinded by lights and dazzled by distance; for Findlay Napier and his visit to Liverpool this was as close to heavenly, funny, anarchic but brilliant, as an audience could ask for.

Mr. Napier came to Liverpool in support of the incomparable Boo Hewerdine on his latest tour, having had the great benefit of working with Mr. Hewerdine on his Very Interesting Persons album, the natural choice for both men to continue this superb arrangement felt keenly as the significance of the music played rang out to an audience that rightly wallowed in his disarming demeanour and devastatingly superb wit, of powerful songs and the smile that could stop a charging rhinoceros and have it eating out of his open palm.

The opening song of his set on the night may have been The Man Who Sold New York but it was very much the man from Glasgow who stole the hearts of the crowd on a Friday night in Liverpool; the teller of tales of interesting people proved he is one of the most intriguing of them all.

The bond between performer and audience is sacred, it is not to be misused and whilst some take that as close to the line as possible in hope that it will secure affection, for Findlay Napier it is a bond that is sacrosanct, the crowd come out to be entertained and taken out of themselves, such is the moral duty that this particular musician takes seriously but with the widest of smiles throughout the set.

With the songs, Young Goths, Hedy Lamarr, Eddie Banjo, An Idol In Decline and Sweet Science, the thought provoking and the gentleness went hand in hand, the sweet sense of sincerity was upheld and proved to be the kind of support anybody could ask for and never regret a single second.

With work on a new album almost complete, to wish this musician would come back to Liverpool again is surely only something that the fates can oblige in implementing.

Ian D. Hall