Fake Thackray
Album: Fake Thackray Live: The Songs Of Jake Thackray
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 18
Website: http://www.fakethackray.com

I have decidedly mixed feelings about tribute acts; a good majority of them do little or nothing to enhance the reputation of their subject, and very few demonstrate any real sympathy with the music to which they're allegedly paying tribute. But John Watterson is definitely one very honourable exception, as was proved beyond any shadow of doubt when he was invited to perform the prestigious support role for this year's Fairport Convention winter tour followed by a slot at the Cropredy Festival.

Jake Thackray, an accomplished songwriter and performer with an unique and totally inimitable style, enjoyed extensive fame in the 1960s and 70s with his witty, satirical, hilarious and sometimes sentimental songs. Many of these seem always to have been part of our cultural heritage, and his untimely death in 2002 robbed the world of a master craftsman, a chansonnier par excellence. However, as is the case with any truly individual artist, imitation proves more difficult than might first appear, and nigh impossible to bring off with anything like credibility. Many have tried to perform Jake's songs in search of a cheap quick round of applause, resulting in nothing but a mannered, tacky mimic, nay sub-parody, of the original.

Those with a real feel for Jake's work will listen beyond the superficial belly-laughs and jokes, for few casual listeners tend to fully appreciate the subliminal, often well-concealed subtleties and telling nuances; his dazzling wordsmithery must be savoured and cherished, and it takes a genuinely gifted performer to convey the appropriate essence, from the heart and without sense of contrivance. John Watterson is such a performer, for he possesses not only the necessary musical talent - vocal and instrumental dexterity - but also the keenest empathy with Jake's world and creations that can only come from a lifelong fan who's in complete tune with Jake's sensibilities. He also has a gift for communicating with an audience, bringing his own personality unobtrusively into the mix to complement the respect (and affection) with which he treats both his listeners and his subject. So this fulsome CD, recorded impeccably faithfully by Ron Angus and Eric Freeman at a gig in Nether Poppleton, presents the unadulterated artistry of John Watterson, the unashamed Fake Thackray (a creative genius in his own right, IMHO) performing 18 of Jake's songs on stage with brilliant double bass accompaniment by Hugh Bradley. It's both a perfect memento of a really entertaining and enjoyable gig and an entirely fitting celebration of the genius of Jake. John's renditions are quite simply unlikely to be bettered.

Of course, there are so many more of Jake's priceless creations than John has been able to tackle here, and the more serious, deeply reflective side of Jake's writing is largely eschewed in favour of the humorous patter songs; but this only opens the door for a second helping from John in due course (says he hopefully). My only (very minor) criticism of this disc is that it could have done with some additional cueing points in order to isolate songs from introductions in just a few cases. However, at 77 minutes it's not only excellent value, but also impossible to tire of, for when you get to the end you are indeed tempted to put it all "on again! on again"… !

David Kidman