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live review Beth Gibbons + Rustin' Man @ Shepherds Bush Empire, London, 16 October 2002 As the singer in Portishead, Beth Gibbons wasn't exactly known for her confidence. She rarely performs live, and gives interviews less often - which makes her decision to put out a solo album ('Out of Season') with Talk Talk's Paul Webb something of an oddity. To walk out onstage for the first time in five years - well, that's just plain madness!The voice is instantly recognisable, still chillingly beautiful, and even more out of step with what's going on in the current music world. But it doesn't matter - the so-acoustic-it's-naked 'Mysteries' is pure Nico, while 'Tom The Model' is unsettling, like Portishead - only without the DJ's. If these are the kind of songs she's willing to throw away on a low-key side project, it looks like the third Portishead album is going to be very special indeed. As it ends with an incendiary 'Funny Time of Year', Gibbons leaves the stage and personally shakes the hand of every person in the few front rows. She's saying 'Thanks for remembering me'. But really Beth, the pleasure was all ours. Julian Marshall. NME 26th October 2002 |