Various - The Clutha Sessions

by John Clarkson

published: 21 / 12 / 2013

Label: Neon Tetra Records
Format: CD

Superb charity compilation album released to raise money for the families of the victims of the Clutha tragedy

Review

On the 29th November a police helicopter crashed into the Clutha Vaults, a popular bar and music venue in central Glasgow. A ska band Esperanza was playing in the pub at the time, and, as well as the the pilot and the two police officers on board, seven people watching the band were also killed in the tragedy. It is an immense testimony to the people at Glaswegian label Neon Tetra that for their first release in three years they have in the space of just three weeks turned around this charity album, all the profits of which will be given to the victims' families. It is an even greater testimony that, under what must have been immense pressure to reach the Christmas market, rather than just throwing together what they could - something that in the circumstances would have have been commendable enough - they have come up with a compilation so appropriate to the Clutha and Glasgow. All seven of the acts that appear on the ten-track album, including Esperanaza, performed regularly at the Clutha, and several of them have recorded songs especially for the collection. Esperanaza's two songs on this twelve track record are 'Where You Gonna Go', a softly mournful ska ballad, and the brassy, slow-burning 'Be Brave', which floats between male and female vocals. Rose Room contributes a jazzy piano-based torch anthem 'I'll See You in My Dreams' and mournful instrumental fiddle jig 'Dark Eyes'. Other highlights include Card Trick with the harmony-strewn garage rock 'n'roll of 'The Sauchiehall Street Anthem', and Dr Cook and The Boners with the smouldering blues of 'Hoochie Coochie Man'. A very well put together and tasteful compilation.