Difford & Tilbrook - Union Chapel - 8th November

Last Saturday, A couple of weeks ago, Last month* I went to see Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford at the Union Chapel in Islington.

As a venue for hearing music the Union Chapel is great. Intimate (for an 800-odd seater) atmospheric etc. But it lacks the fills of the posher concert venues. Like a bar. And inside toilets. Fortunately an afternoon in the Camden Head reduced my need for the former, even if it led to an increased need for the Portakabin styled loos at half-time.

But on with talking about the show. It was not a Squeeze gig and was styled as Glenn and Chris in conversation, with music interspersed between the chats. Started comically enough with the two of them in bed together (think Morecambe and Wise), but overall the chat was about the level you’d expect between songs at a gig. There were a few ‘ask the audience’ opportunities, which were of a level banal enough that I simply can’t remember much about them. There was one question about Charlton Athletic I think…

How can I put this nicely? Glenn and Chris did not come across as great mates. There was a certain coolness I thought. Not anything like the Kinks famous ‘assault you band-mate with the high-hat’ coolness, or even the Simon and Garfunkel walking of stage for each other’s songs. But they looked to me like they were there to do a job. Dare we think that it’s the money that keeps them together?

So enough of the politics and cod-psychology. The music?

Really good. A couple of new songs that felt OK, but against a background of the absolute classic Squeeze back catalogue, it’s hard for any new song to break in. Difford did a couple of numbers from his solo albums, which were well received (they are great songs – ‘Wrecked’ is a wonderful track). But it was pretty much the greatest hits show that everyone was looking for. With all the tracks you would expect. Stripped back accompaniments (usually two guitars although Glenn played keys on a couple) but instantly familiar and none the worse for the loss of the rhythm section.

I’ve always thought of Tilbrook as a fine vocalist. To that I can now add that he is an accomplished lead guitarist too. Difford? Well, perhaps a more basic guitarist. A decent voice but not in the usual pop range. (Squeeze’s technique of the two voices singing the same tune an octave apart is incredibly simple, but really effective.) But could certainly carry a tune. But we know what his strength is – those lyrics. The cascade of cheeky, punny, clever patter that characterise a Squeeze song. I’ve wondered for a while. Is it coincidence that Squeeze and Danny Baker come from very similar areas of SE London, or is there something in the water. (Tilbrook and Baker are also almost exactly the same age.)

My verdict. Good. Glad I saw them. Earth-shattering? No. Better than on CD? No – but nice to see they can cut it live. If you are a Squeeze fan, you would love this, but, despite its surroundings, I don’t think this gig would convert the unbelievers.

* I’ve been trying to finish this post for ages – sorry!