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It was real pleasure to see Glenn Tilbrook perform an intimate pub-style gig this past Tuesday night in Yokohama. I brought a friend of mine visiting from the U.S. along with me to Yokohama's Thumb's Up Live so we could have a few beers and listen to some of Glen Tilbrook's solo troubadour-style pop music this past Tuesday night, and I have to say it turned out to be a real pleasure. The intimate setting was almost pub-like, and catching the former Squeeze front man in a small, solo show like this was quite entertaining. 
I expected it to be mostly a showcase of songs from his solo albums, of which I must admit I haven't heard, but it turned out to be an enjoyable evening of Glenn with just his two acoustic guitars (one six-string and one 12-string) and songs he wanted to sing. The house wasn't full by any stretch, but the people there were diehard Japanese fans and all enjoyed the two hour, two-set performance. The first set had him play a handful of Squeeze hits (which the crowd chimed in on on the most popular choruses, especially "Tempted" and "Up the Junction") and originals from one of his solo albums. He didn't introduce many of his songs from the stage, so I could only name them if it was a Squeeze song that I knew, or a new one of his he did introduce. All the rest were just general Glenn Tilbrook songs, especially since all the GT songs kind of sound like Squeeze songs or vice versa. With all of the songs that he played, he showed a range of musicianship that I wasn't aware he had achieved. He played bluesy barre-chord numbers with suitable solos and upbeat rock numbers in which he moved from the verse-chorus-verse structure to extended riffing on the acoustic with only the hand clapping of the audience to keep him in time. I must say I was surprised and impressed with his skill. I didn't realize the boy could play. I knew he could write songs and play in a successful pop band, but I didn't realize he such chops. He had an easy affability about him on stage that had everyone there feeling relaxed and into the vibe. The almost completely Japanese audience definitely appreciated what they were being treated to, but kept their usual respectful distance. Tilbrook tried to get a little audience participation happening on "Tempted" with a little difficulty, but later the audience wasn't so hesitant to join in when asked, such as on the wonderful, set closing rendition of "Goodbye Girl". 
Tilbrook started the second set off on his 12-string acoustic guitar, telling the audience that the next number was a request. He then proceeded to wail out a version of Hendrix' "Voodoo Chile," complete with solos, and then to keep the audience going, banged out The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" and "I Will" in quick succession.It's hard not to think of every Squeeze song you've ever heard when Tilbrook is singing, but I guess when you're the former lead singer and songwriter for the band it's kind of inevitable. Even when he's singing someone else's song, it sounds like it was done by Squeeze. Perhaps that's a testament to his ability to make something his own: even though he did the Crowded House tune "Always Take the Weather With You" pretty much note for note, it sounded like something from East Side Story or Sweets from a Stranger. That's not a criticism, I just kept wanting a band to show up. Even more so when he trotted out "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)." Well no band was going to show up, but Tilbrook stood and delivered over two hours worth of great music (well over 30 songs), finishing with "Another Nail In My Heart," much to the crowd's delight. The audience managed to coax him out for a few more tunes, and he seemed genuinely happy to come out and oblige them. All and all, an easy singer to listen to, with more hits and skills than people realize. I envy the folks that live round his local pub. |
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The featured photos were from the 1st show of the tour, on the 10th of Jan., at Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe
report by jeff and and photos by hanasan |
 mag files : Glenn Tilbrook Pulling Treasures (From the Shelf) (09/01/13 @ Yokohama Thumbs Up) : review by jeff, photos by hanasan走り抜けたポップ職人 (09/01/12 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe) : review by nob, photos by hanasanphoto report (09/01/10 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe) : photos by hanasanphoto report (05/08/08 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe) : photo by saya38『ONE FOR THE ROAD』上映会 / 弾き語りで2時間以上歌いまくり (05/08/07 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe) : review by nob, photo by izumikuma速報 (05/08/07 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe) : review by nob, photo by izumikumaphoto report (05/08/07 @ Kichijoji Star Pine's Cafe) : photo by izumikumaCD review : The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook : ポップ職人 (05/07/22) : review by nob |
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The official site Glenn Tilbrook http://www.glenntilbrook.com/ check 'em? -->My Space / iTunes The latest album  "Pandemonium Ensues" (UK import) |
The latest single "Binga Bong" (UK import / iTunes) previous works
"In the Sky Above"(UK import)
"In the Sky Above: the Demo Tapes 1993-1998"(UK import) "The Past Has Been Bottled"(US import) "Transatlantic Ping Pong"(UK import / US import) "Untouchable"(UK import) "The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook"(国内盤 / US import/ UK import / iTunes) "Parallel World"(US import) "This Is Where You Ain't"(UK import) "Difford & Tilbrook"(US import) previous works Squeeze  "5 Live" (UK import) "Squeeze Story"(US import) "The Complete BBC Sessions"(US import) "Essential Squeeze"(UK import) "Greatest Hits"(US import) "Big Squeeze: Very Best Of" (UK import + DVD / US import) "The Piccadilly Collection" (UK import) "Singles 45's and Under" (UK import) "Ridiculous" (US import) "Some Fantastic Place" (国内盤 / US import) "Play" (US import) "Frank" (UK import) "Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti" (US import) "Sweets From a Stranger" (US import) "East Side Story" (UK import / US import) "Argybargy"(国内盤 / UK import + 2CD / US import + bonus tracks) "Cool for Cats" (UK import) "UK Squeeze" (UK import) check the albums? |
 2009Pulling Treasures (From the Shelf) : Glenn Tilbrook (13th Jan. @ Yokohama Thumbs Up)Shine bright when you can see them : Stars (10th Jan. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)2008Ode to Tamacun : Rodrigo y Gabriela (14th Nov. @ Shibuya O-East)Sheep Metal : Bo-Peep (6th Jul. @ Sangenchaya Heaven's Door)CD review : Sick Orange Television : Bo-Peep (7th Jul.)Dave Grohl's School of Rock : Foo Fighters (13th Apr. @ Makuhari Messe)Saturday in the Park : Jack Johnson, Matt Costa, Kaukahi, and Mason Jennings (12th Apr. @ Yokohama Akarenga Park)Estrogenic : Björk (22nd Feb. @ Nippon Budokan)Off To Join the Beat Crusade : Motion City Soundtrack with Beat Crusaders & Cartel (19h Feb. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)With a Pocket Full of Shells... : Rage Against The Machine (10th Feb. @ Makuhari Messe Kokusai Tenjijo)That's The Way We Get By : Spoon (6th Feb. @ Daikanyama Unit)Sheik Yerbouti : FZ, You Is What You Were : Zappa plays Zappafeat. Dweezil Zappa, Steve Vai, Ray White (22nd Jan. @ Zepp Tokyo)2007Fuzzy Logic of The Super Furry Animals : Super Furry Animals (9th Nov. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)Dubnobasswithmyhead...man : Adrian Sherwood & The Slits (26th Oct. @ Shibuya O East)Juliette Gets Her Licks In : Juliette & The Licks (20th May. @ Liquidroom, Ebisu)Clap Your Hands Say Tokyo Police Club : Tokyo Police Club (1st May. @ Harajuku Astro Hall) |