East Grange Loft, Forres, 21 August 2003

A near bridegroom-ly nervous Stuart Nisbet greeted nearly every person, in person, as they arrived at the venue. Stuart who has toured the world as The Proclaimers’ axe man, (just this year his boyish grin facing down the throngs of Balado, and smiling out at the STV millions from T in the Park coverage without a care in the world) was here and now and at the wonderful farm/venue in Forres, and in contrast quivered with tangible fear at the prospect of presenting this show to the assembled 80 (instead of 80,000) or so at the converted hayloft East Grange venue.

The words “Labour of Love” could only describe what this meant to him (as is the venue Lucy and co have built here in the Highlands) and, as it turned out, also for the rest of the all-star ensemble Stuart has put together and named Button Up.

And the love is “soul music”.

If you have ever been to the splendid New Soul City nights in Inverness at The Maple Court and taken the opportunity to wallow in classic Stacks and Motown sounds and, like me, you get there early because that’s when Donald the DJ plays the really interesting stuff then, like me, you would have been in seventh heaven for the hour and a quarter.

Button Up

Button Up buttoned down that sweet soul sound and played the ass out of the likes of Arron Nevil’s “Hercules”, Betty Wright’s “Clean Up Women”, Beefheart’s “Too Much Time”, The Crusaders’ “Put It Where You Want It”, Gladys Knight’s “Walk In My Shoes”, and the crowd-pleasing Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m a Man” strategically placed  mid-to-end in the set where the concentration of band and audience can sometimes lapse. Not a chance of either here! We had a steaming gig on our hands, which would climax with Ann Peables’ “I Can’t Stand the Rain” with everyone joining in the chorus, “AGAINST MY WINDO – OWWWW”.

Button Up were (as they need to be when attempting this stuff) tight and right in the pocket, and getting ‘whoops’ and hollers from the onset, driven and emphasised by drum tirade and facial grimaces of Ross MacFarlane (The Proclaimers, McCluskey Brothers), who even moved the rock steady Gary John Kane on bass (McCluskey Brothers, Marianne Faithfull) to the odd jump of joy. Andy May (Marianne Faithfull) contributed swirling Hammond sounds and stomping piano, as well as gospel-esque backing vocals harmonising with Stuart, admirably supporting the cultured Justin Currie (Del Amitri) vocals. Star studded quality, indeed.

Mr Nisbet (Show biz Nis to his friends) stood in as master of ceremonies and shared the between-song banter with a genuinely-delighted Justin Currie. “This will be in the middle of nowhere then!” the Glaswegian Currie wryly announced. It seems that after touring solidly around the world, new experiences still happen to even these near-veteran rock stars, and we were present at the birth of another – the first ever Button Up gig. Justin is, it has to be said, an inspired choice for Button Up membership, but all in the group were as inspired in performance as each other.

As for Justin’s performance, he came on nervously, I thought – belatedly too – after the stage had been set in classic “Ramsey Lewis” lounge room cheerfully cheesy style.  Think of an instrumental “I’m in with the In Crowd” version of “High Heeled Sneakers”, and the room was set and anticipating the first appearance of Mr Currie playing out of the Del Amitri colours for the first time since their forced relegation to indie status. I have long been a fan both of his rock/soul voice and his writing, and was intrigued to find how he would deal with some of the classics which must have inspired the last 15 years of a sparkling world wide fame?

Very, very well, I am please to report. All nerves had subsided into easy performance by the time Nina Simone’s “I’m Gonna Leave You” came around and the jaunt was in the step, the stage craft and voice was there, smiles were mirrored from the stage around the room, and the well-defined and passionately-delivered notes were cascading on crescendo after soulful crescendo.

The only downside of this wonderful gig was the news that they only plan to do three shows because of other commitments. Surely not! This will have to be put to right. This is obviously work at the highest level by people loving every minute of what they do, and they do it so well. You and I deserve to have another opportunity to see it as soon as is earthly possible.

And, as importantly, they deserve to capitalise on what must have been a very work-intensive project.  You don’t get that good on your first gig without “real” commitment.  Pun and analogy fully intended, “Button up”!

© Rob Ellen, 2003