Damian Lewis, Glasgow review: 'charming and chipper'
In spite of some ill-advised rapping and overwrought vocals, Damian Lewis won over his audience with sheer enthusiasm, writes Fiona Shepherd
Damian Lewis, Oran Mor, Glasgow ★★★
Of all the places Wolf Hall/Homeland actor Damian Lewis could be on a Thursday night, he certainly didn’t have to be in a basement venue in the west end of Glasgow, playing a mannered mix of rock and pop originals to a half-full room of curious onlookers.
Like his fellow actors Jeff Goldblum, Michael Shannon and David Duchovny, all of whom have performed live in Glasgow in recent months, one has to assume he is on tour for the love of it. Aged 55, he is two albums deep into his alternative career as a musician and, initially at least, it wasn’t sounding too good as he kicked off with the hoary pub rock’n’roll number Makin’ Plans (opening line “rolling down the highway with the sun on my back” - other lyrical cliches are available).
His voice, perhaps unsurprisingly, was stentorian and melodramatic and he kept up the affected delivery during the lovely summer soul track, Pentonville Prison, an ode to the “angel” who saved his life following a serious road accident. Other songs were less sober in conception. Advent was a knees-up swing number about fear and loathing in the Christmas preamble, with Lewis mugging like crazy, while Grey at the Temple was his wistful, Pink Floyd-like ode to “forgetting shit”.
WATCH: Edinburgh-based soul man James Emmanuel performs Living and Winning for the Scotsman Sessions
Thankfully, Lewis was charming and chipper company, winning over the crowd with his irreverent storytelling. He didn’t take himself too seriously - a major plus - as he ripped off David Bowie gleefully on a number of tracks. Meanwhile, his band provided the steady cred in his charismatic shadow, with all performers bringing the requisite softness to a cover of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon.
Determined to get his kicks, Lewis broke out into some selective headbanging to finish the set. What was left to give in the encore? Some ill-advised rapping, more overwrought vocals and a low-key finale. Overall, the set just didn’t come together convincingly yet somehow Lewis got away with it through sheer enthusiasm.
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