Review: Tim Booth ****

At Leeds Cockpit

Following the release of his third solo album Love Life, Leeds-born singer Tim Booth is back on the road, without his band James.

Away from the arenas which have played home to James since the early Nineties, Booth provides greater intimacy in his solo performance, slowing things down, and getting up close and personal with the audience. Things, however, don’t always go smoothly.

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After starting this show at the back of the room, and busking through the crowd with his musicians, Booth has to tell one female fan to stay off the steps to the stage. Later one song is halted due to her over-enthusiasm. When things calm down, Booth proceeds to deliver tracks from all three of his solo albums plus a rarely performed track from the 2001 James album Pleased to Meet You.

However, just moments after another sing-along in the crowd, two fans are involved in a brief scuffle. A saxophone solo is ruined and Booth looks sorely tempted to walk off.

When he does get the crowd to simmer down (and the vast majority clearly shared his annoyance), songs like Please Fall in Love with Me and Dance of the Bad Angel bring bliss to the room.

There was still space in the set for a few foot-tappers – All About Time from the new album, and Mad Ways from his second release – standing out.

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