Tim Burgess, Hatcham Social.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Tuesday 17th September2013.

Following on from some previous memorable shows this year, Clubs Roar and Biscuit served up possibly their biggest scoop when they presented TIM BURGESS for his first ever Bedford appearance. A near sell-out crowd were richly entertained by one of this countries legendary musicians. He has been an extremely busy gentleman these past two years. An autobiography "Telling stories" has been published. His record label O Genesis, which reflects this man's varied and eclectic tastes, is flourishing, plus he is a mad keen 'twitter critter'. Oh yes, Tim Peaks Diner adorns his coffee mugs and add to this his 6 Music DJ stints and you wonder where he has found the time to record his second solo album.

The new album is entitled "Oh no I love you" and Tim bases most of his set around it tonight. There has been much critical acclaim from the press about this collection of old style folksy, country flavoured songs. The idea was first mooted way back in 2000 when Tim carried Karl Wagner's guitar back to the van after a Lambchop gig. They talked about wanting to collaborate. After these seeds were sown, the idea lay dormant for a decade until after the last Charlatans tour. "Oh no I love you" is a musical journey that has taken Mr Burgess from Manchester to Los Angeles and North East London to Nashville. With lyrics penned by Wagner, a 'dream' band was put together for the recordings. For the show this evening Tim is backed by his long time Charlatans guitarist Mark Collins plus members of the support band HATCHAM SOCIAL.

With a bleached blond mop of hair, the former baggy flower child is on good form. In fact I would almost say jovial. He introduces himself to the audience with a cheery "Everybody OK? Good to be here". An inevitable barrage of camera phones flash incessantly. The first five songs from this hefty fifteen (including encore) song, seventy five minute set are taken from the new album. Starting with "The graduate", it is followed by the single "The doors of then" from earlier in the year. Although a fan of country music, I do find these songs rather bland, especially a Manc trying to sing in an almost forced Nashville twang. Sadly he doesn't convince me to buy the album. Some of the crowd, perhaps unaware of his current direction. are possibly hoping for more than a sprinkling of Charlatans material. They seem initially nonplussed and there is sporadic clapping in a C&W style that could be genuine, could be sarcastic. For fans of Tim's 2003 debut album "I believe", they are rewarded with the appropriately titled "Years ago".

It's good to report that Tim Burgess has not lost any of his charismatic stage presence. Some of his postures and posing when singing hark back to his iconic baggy days. His divine voice still packs a punch with tons of emotional clarity. While watching this invigorated, new found country troubadour, my mind wanders and I ponder on what has happened to some of 'Madchester's' finest since the halycon Hacienda days. Well The Roses are still partying like it's 1989. Tom Hingley is recreating the blues and dear old Bez has found solace in beekeeping with honey as his drug. With a version of "Impossible" that has the older fans pining for the good old days, Tim trumps this by performing a radically softer, stripped down alternative version of the classic "The only one I know". At the end it is met with rapturous applause. Then it's time for a breather and a worthy acknowledgement for his sound engineer Diane (I don't know if this is the same Diane Barton, a sometime Fall engineer and inspiration for Mark E Smith's song "Ed's babe") as he dedicates her a cover of Nico's "These days". He sings the beautiful lyrics from a sheet and has a little help from his backing band. With considerable expertise from Mark Collins, Tim wraps up his set with "Oh my corazon". A more obscure Charlatans song starts his two song encore, it's "Smash the system", which is naturally well received. Tim surveys his crowd constantly throughout the gig. He wryly smiles. He looks happy. Bedford or "Bedrock" (!) has been kind to him. Norwich may have had "nice projections" and he enjoyed Europe and the festivals here, but the warm friendly attitude of our audience looks to have genuinely touched him. Even I have to admit that this North Country Boy is still Dead, Dead Interesting!

Hatcham Social have been long time favourites of Artrocker magazine, ever since this band formed back in 2006. Their debut album "You dig the tunnel, I'll hide the soil" made waves back in 2009 and their recordings have been produced by such diverse characters as Faris Badwan and Tim Burgess. They are "very excited" to be here and the frontman orders Bedford to "show us what you got". "All summer long" starts with a very long quiet intro, but eventually it does kick in with gusto. Their guitar work is reminiscent of an eighties indie surf style, but it feels a tad lightweight instead of a wall of sound. Their frontman seems unlikely, or just plain awkward. "More power to live" we are told is available to "buy somewhere". I hesitate to use the phrase 'funky beats' but this one has some, plus plenty of "woo-oohs" throughout. Not a band I would travel miles to see. A short set, but they are soon bac with Mr Burgess..