As a teenager, Harper Simon guested on guitar during his father Paul’s Graceland tour. And yet, he still seems a touch nervous shuffling onstage at Nice n’ Sleazy to play to a small but enthusiastic crowd of Glasgow punters.
Armed with just acoustic guitar and voice (with a large helping of reverb), his first song is a pleasing version of the Who’s ‘La La La La Lies,’ followed swiftly by ‘Wishes and Stars’ and ‘Cactus Flower Rag’ from his recent, self-titled debut album.
Here, stripped of the album’s piano and string embellishments, Simon showcases the craft at the root of his songs, which hold up very well under the spotlight. Shorn of its vocal harmonies and slide guitar, ‘Shooting Star’ retains its optimistic tone, and minus its orchestral coda, ‘the Audit,’ remains one of his strongest songs.
Admittedly, Simon’s vocal is occasionally slightly flat, but never less than charming. His guitar playing, by comparison, is faultless, and the most obvious similarity with his famous father is in the high quality of his delicate fingerpicking.
Also from his debut, ‘Tennessee’ and ‘the Shine’ are given an airing, before an unexpected and warmly received run through the Buzzcocks’ classic ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’ has heads nodding.
A beaming Simon, humbled by the enthusiastic reception, finishes with a lovely ‘Berkeley Girl,’ before being swiftly applauded back onstage to squeeze in an encore. Playing the Kinks’ ‘This Is Where I Belong,’ it is apparent that Harper Simon is actually destined for bigger stages in the near future.