A bout of festive lurgee forced the decision to skip The Rascals support set and arrive at the Carling Academy just in time for the beginning of The Zutons' set. This mundanely pragmatic approach to gig-going meant that, for me, it really wasn't likely to be that much of a party. However, no matter - everybody else looked to be having a right laugh; collectively opting not to let my reduced state of well-being spoil their appetite for a good time, bless 'em. The Zutons kick off with an exuberantly received Don't Ever Think, after which they proceed to run through a crowd-pleasing set which includes: Hello Conscience, You Will You Wont, Dirty Dancehall, Why Won't You Give Me Your Love and You've Got A Friend In Me. Valerie elicits the now customary 'audience participation' moment, with the crowd Woo Woo-ing along in perfect harmony: notably, the song seems to account for about twenty percent of the audience, who seem to come to life for the songs duration, yet whose attention starts to drift the minute it's over (or maybe my irritation over this is the real cost of gig-going sobriety...). The band's love of a segue is evident in a brilliant Zuton Fever/Pressure Point, which is bridged by some psychedelic feedback-drenched guitar flourishes, courtesy of new member Paul Molloy (ex Skylarks / The Stands). Resplendent in vintage red cowboy shirt and early-'70s tonsorial arrangement, the new addition fills Boyan Chowdhury's recently departed (Cuban heeled) boots admirably. It's not known whether Molloy is now a permanent fixture but they could definitely do worse: notably, when let loose tonight his playing is very melodic - something a bit Gene Clark about his style.
There are a couple of new songs, one of which may or may not be called Over My Shoulder ( the phrase certainly features heavily: that and 'parasite' - McCabe, paranoid? Nah!). Not to be confused with Mike and The Mechanics mid-'90s atrocity, this song sounds much more, erm, Zutonsey. Which is to say that whilst it does sound pretty good to these ears, it doesn't really display the kind of progression we might be expecting of a band approaching its third album and circling the periphery of mainstream success. More interesting, though, is the second new addition to the set. Again, there's no indication of a song title but there is a strong refrain along the lines of 'you can do anything'. This soulful number, driven along by a fluid early-'70s Glam Rock groove, draws an inevitable Roxy Music comparison. This is never a bad thing, and if it's an indication of the direction of their next album, then 2008 could well be The Zutons' year.
Understandably, this being a relatively large bill, The Zutons (possibly forced by logistics) turn in a somewhat truncated set comprising mainly the 'hits'. However, on the whole, the absence of some of the more acoustic numbers such as Confusion and Remember Me makes for a distinctly harder sound which, although in the 'party' context works well enough, does them an injustice, belying as it does their diverse, eclectic nature. Still, this isn't your average gig - it's a party - and so, effectively, festival rules apply: this is a good night for The Zutons, albeit not one of their best.
Moments after The Zutons 'proper' leave the stage, the band's Russ, Sean and Paul (respectivey bass, drums, guitar) return for a stint as The Deltasonic House Band (alright, I made the name up), with The Rascals' Miles Kane stepping up to join them in a white hot version of Motorhead's Ace of Spades. And it's all there, from the snarled vocal to the frenetic drumming and loud note-perfect guitar line: all that's missing is the mole and the questionable penchant for Nazi paraphernalia. Succeeding Miles is Candie Payne who, with the house band now augmented by Austin and Jamie from (Edgar Jones's band) "The Joneses" (also Candie's touring band), proceed to run through a couple of her numbers, one of which being last years' brilliantly chanteusey I Wish I Could Have Loved You More. Immediately after which, and to rapturous applause, The Zutons' Abi Harding returns to the stage to lead the band in a rousing rendition of Proud Mary, dedicated to the recently departed 'ladies man' Ike Turner.
Keeping it in the family, Howie Payne, ex-Stands/Blueseed/Big Kids - and all round Liverpool music-scene luminary - leads the band through its finale and the highlight of the night: a blistering Slippin' and Slidin', played John Lennon style, which sees Austin from "The Joneses" blaring saxophone dueling it out with some of the best musicians in Liverpool. It's a fitting closer for a Liverpool Christmas party - there won't be many over the holiday that won't end up in a raucous rock 'n' roll sing-along, even if they don't sound quite so good.Oh, and Deltasonic apparently raised over twenty grand for local children's hospital Alder Hey. A definite triumph, then.
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