'Why Sing Goodbye Songs -
Album launch at the Lit & Phil, Newcastle upon Tyne

In 1879, Newcastle inventor Joseph Swan demonstrated his newly invented light bulb, electrifying his audience at the Lit & Phil. And over a century on, Pete Scott can legitimately claim to have done the same.

Launching his new album “Why Sing Goodbye Songs?” Scott delighted an appreciative crowd with a combination of wit, insight and some stunning guitar technique.  From his first humorous observation – “before Swan did his demonstration, was this place called the Unlit and Phil?” – to the final chord of his third encore of the evening, his set had an emotional range as broad as the smiles on the faces of the departing audience.  But no moaning:  Whinging wasn’t allowed.  Songs like “Thomas William Arthur Tate” and the cleverly juxtaposed and deeply moving “Eddie’s Dead” made Scott’s position clear on those particular human vices.  And as the title track of the new album relates, they may be en vogue elsewhere - but not for this singer-songwriter.

Instead, we got everything  else - and often in spades.  From  the witty but poignant “Anita O’Day’s Hat,” through the stunningly poetic “You Shoulda Said” to the laugh-out-loud funny “Kuala Lumpar Clegg.”  But the song that raised the biggest reaction of the evening was “Fantastic Pastie.”  If the song title itself doesn’t intrigue you, Scott’s story as to how he conceived of it will!  It was worth the admission fee alone!

On “Yuri Gargarin’s Banjo” Scott demonstrated a superb picking technique which resonated with the Bluegrass rhythm and melody that the song alludes to.  And with his performances of “One Man Band” (from his “Talking to a Stranger” album) and “Hannah’s Black Eye” (recorded for the Northumbrian Anthology), Scott showed the intriguing route his music has taken over recent years.

All in all, the evening had all the hallmarks of an important musical event.  A highly talented and truly seasoned performer, show-casing  a range of great new songs in a  wonderful venue.  And judging by the smiles on the faces of the audience as they filed out, Scott’s rejection of cynicism in favour of something far more positive really hit the spot.

Aidan Oswell
May 2008

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