Damien Rice: Live From the Union Chapel
Monday, 26 Nov 2007 12:28
Live cuts and rarities from the emotional Irish singer/songwriter.
14th Floor Records, out November 26th.
In a nutshell...
Atmospheric, heart-felt, comforting, delicate, intimate.
What's it all about?
Despite building up a reputation as a stellar live performer, this release marks the first live album from Damien Rice. Now a sellout arena artist, this was recorded back in 2003 in far more intimate settings than the recent Wembley Arena gig. It largely features tracks from his debut album 0, as well as previously unrecorded songs. In keeping with his live performances, long-term collaborator Lisa Hannigan features heavily throughout the recording.
Who's it by?
Damien Rice has a lot to answer for and it is tempting to see any new release as an apology for the slew of mediocre singer songwriters that have followed in his wake. His debut album 0 was released in 2002 and was largely unsupported by label backing. A brief Glastonbury appearance on the BBC in 2003 catapulted him into the nation's consciousness and his first record went on to spend 80 weeks in the top 75, selling over two million copies worldwide. Along the way he rejuvenated the UK singer-songwriter scene, enabling the inexplicable rise to fame of James Blunt.
As an example...
"So why do you fill my sorrow, with the words you've borrowed, from the only place you've know/And why do you sing Hallelujah, if it means nothing to you, why do you sing with me at all?" - Delicate
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
As a live album, this is unlikely to directly win any awards for Rice, although it should remind critics of his capabilities as a performer next time they are dolling out plaudits for live appearances. For die-hard fans, the inclusion of three new tracks from a relatively un-prolific artist may justify the cover price, but newer fans may be more inclined to discover his two studio albums first.
What the others say
"A truly bewitching performer." - Times
"Spellbinding." - Independent
So is it any good?
Rice is undoubtedly a highly accomplished live performer and this recording succeeds in capturing much of the atmosphere of his notoriously intimate performances. Unlike many live albums, the recording quality is excellent and testament to Rice and Hannigan's capabilities as musicians. However, no live recording can truly encapsulate the experience of a live performance, and while it is a treat not to be subjected to the drunken warblings of a tone-deaf fan signing along to Rice's standout tracks, it does not quite convey the relationship Rice and Hannigan build with their audience over the course of an evening.
It is unclear why Rice has chosen to release a concert from so early in 2003 for his first live album, ignoring as it does his entire second album, 9. Early tracks such as Delicate have been so overplayed, having featured prominently on many films scores, it is unclear what fans gain from a further recording. The new tracks, including Then Go, which manages to be deliciously morose even by Rice's standards, do provide some welcome additional value for fans and Hannigan's cover of Be My Husband compensates for the weight of early material.
7/10
Kate Webb
Agree with this review? Have a different opinion? Let us know your thoughts (without being too abusive to our poor reviewers please) and we'll post the best ones on the site.
Write your comments below: