So farewell Triptych. After years of bringing the discerning Scottish music fan as many experimental nights out as they can handle, it’s gone kaput to be replaced by Tennants Mutual.
Ah well, its nice of the organisers to go out with a band. Highlights of this year’s event include a special Mogwai party, Sebadoh performing their seminal Bubble And Scrape and countless more besides. However, somewhere on the southside of Glasgow lurked the soul of the festival, as Jamie Lidell brought Stax (geddit?) of entertainment to the party.
Hosted by the venerable Gilles Peterson, who demonstrated the mixing dexterity that first earned him a cult following at the Dingwalls, tonight’s show perhaps summed up Triptych. New jazz sensation Jose James mingled with the crowd before striding onstage, in the obligatory jazz beret. Backed by some liquid grooves courtesy of Mr Peterson, James justified the hype that has surrounded debut LP The Dreamer. A storming show followed, with James recalling jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald or Jimmy Scott with his wonderful tenor voice. A charismatic performer, Jose James has a real way with words and woke up the beatnik in tonight’s rough and tumble Glasgow crowd.
Headliner Jamie Lidell is probably the only man in history to have made the leap from abrasive electronica to smooth soul. New album Jim is nothing less than Jamie Winehouse, a barnstorming chart-friendly feast that still incorporates his laptop leanings. Backed by a superb band, Lidell stomped and wailed like Otis Redding reborn. A little bit old, a whole lot new – perhaps the heart and soul of the Triptych experience.
//Robin Murray