Paul Burch (singer, song-writer, guitarist, drummer, erstwhile member of Kurt Wagner’s country-soul collective) cuts a rather unassuming figure and comes across rather timid and lonely up on stage by himself. His talking between songs is warm but slight and serves to further this impression. When he actually asks for requests – adding “if anyone knows my stuff” – his humbleness and modesty are the most endearing antithesis to the countless ostentatious singers that constantly grace our stages.
This impression of timidity, however, is blown away as soon as he starts singing – when he lets rip you’re left in no doubt that you’re in the presence of greatness. The humble modesty remained but quickly became solemn beauty in his rousing stories which, although rooted in the classic country canon, took in diverse influences ranging from pop to early rock-and-roll. He has been described as Buddy Holly meets Jimmie Rodgers and Ralph Stanley and I’d find it hard to disagree with this.
His set tonight covers material from his six albums, the majority, however, comes from 2000’s Blue Notes and 2006’s East to West – released over here on Glasgow’s Spit & Polish – and the show’s highlights come from the former.
The show-stopper was Isolda – a Lay Lady Lay era Dylan meets Hank Williams; Burch’s voice here swings effortlessly from baritone to falsetto and back as he paints a vivid picture “You don’t dance to the music in the room/the smell of ginger, your perfume” before finally concluding “I don’t love ya/but I want you so bad”.
This is bluesy country full of subtle swing, waltzes and barroom honky-tonk. Tales of loneliness and heartbreak are relayed with the deceptively simple, honest beauty that typifies classic country and tonight’s stripped-down acoustic versions served to heighten these emotions.
The rest of the set includes a tribute to John Peel and a new song, Henry & Jim, written for his son and the son of the Mekons’ Jon Langford. We then finish up with a rousing rendition of How Do I Know? with the rather sparse audience singing along.
Here we have a passionate singer, without pretension, being original but at the same time acknowledging the giants on whose shoulders he stands – something which is extremely rare these days – and yet he remains mind-bogglingly unknown. This was easily the highlight of the festival so far, but just as equally infuriating.