Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy, Glasgow review: 'snake hips were activated'
This REM tribute was a labour of love which was far from laborious, writes Fiona Shepherd
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy, St Luke's, Glasgow ★★★★
A few years back, Hollywood actor Michael Shannon and indie guitarist-for-hire Jason Narducy thought they might do a one-off REM tribute night to mark the 40 years since the release of the band’s debut album Murmur. Several international tours later, they are now marking another 40th anniversary by playing REM’s fourth album, Lifes Rich Pageant, from start to finish and are already taking soundings on a similar celebration of follow-up Document, capturing their favourite band on the cusp of their imperial phase.
For all Shannon’s recognizability, this was fans playing for fans, a labour of love which was far from laborious. The band hit the ground running, Narducy all over the melodic power of Peter Buck’s guitar work, Shannon evoking the spirit rather than the sound of Michael Stipe, percussionist Doug Marvin lording it in the pulpit of this “mighty nice venue”.
Their cover versions were faithful but fun, from the yearning harmonies of Fall On Me to the helter skelter garage punk of Just A Touch. Shannon’s snake hips were activated for the Latino twang of “the dance song” Underneath the Bunker. Did I Believe need a banjo intro? Then it got a banjo intro.
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Twelve tracks down, they launched straight in to “some random REM songs”. In fact, this was a judicious jukebox over which the audience had no say. Thankfully, they could trust Shannon and Narducy to roam instinctively around the band’s catalogue, digging up some deep cuts, honouring album tracks over blockbuster singles. They immediately chose the contrasting R&B flavour of Lotus alongside other highlights such as the harmonic Burning Down, the cleansing joy of The Lifting and a pert, trilling Harborcoat before encoring with a further fine selection. Shannon delivered his most impassioned vocal of the night on Country Feedback, early single Radio Free Europe was a blast and they dived headlong into Star 69 to finish.
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