Juliet Turner meets Eleanor McEvoy at The Arches, Glasgow

Saturday 29th January 2005



So there I was minding my own business, carrying a couple of drinks up the steps from the basement bar in The Arches, Glasgow. I’d almost completed my ascent, when who should dash past me in the opposite direction with guitar case in hand, but Juliet Turner. She seemed a bit pre-occupied, so I didn’t interrupt. Juliet was due on stage about 50 minutes later. She was the first on in a double bill which also featured my other icon, Eleanor McEvoy.

A tight schedule had to be adhered to at this venue and all had to be finished and cleared away by 9:30, so there was no time to lose. Before we knew it, just a matter of seconds after Brian Grace had sound-checked the guitars under cover of darkness, there was Juliet. All but a couple were taken by surprise. Her response to the unexplained lack of enthusiasm went something like, “Well, judging by all that I suppose you’re all here for Eleanor McEvoy !” Laughter ensued.

She introduced us to the band which comprised a threesome like last year, but gone was Scouser Sean – the ace bass player. His place was taken by Kieran Boylan (excuse spelling). He would have toured with her earlier, but JT claimed he wasn’t good enough. After a brief audio interruption, our ears were in action. A bit of a “trad arr” for starters – couldn’t put a title to it. I couldn’t put a title to the second song either because it was one of her new ones. She did mention snakes scaring the sh** out of her in Canada as part of her story.

Dr. Fell then bought the audience to familiar ground, but by this time there was little reassurance required. This particular attendee was already looking forward to at least one future gig on her forthcoming UK tour.

Juliet's setlist (apologies for the unknowns) :

1. A “trad arr” – type song
2. A new one
3. Dr. Fell
4. Season Of The Hurricane
5. Vampire (Many Thanks Terry Wogan)
6. Burn The Black Suit
7. Another New One
8. Yet another new one – entitled Louisa, co-written by Kieran
9. 1987
10. A fantastic Pizza & Wine with a late nite bar piano style accompaniment
11. Everything Beautiful Is Burning

Apart from the odd interruption of a departing train from Glasgow Central above – was that a contrived cue for a song I heard ? – This was a delightful aperitif for Eleanor McEvoy who came on stage after a short break to rapturous applause which continued as she thanked Juliet.

After a brief technical hitch, we were straight into Fire Overhead and The Way You Wear Your Troubles (don’t clap too early) before the story about the LA fires.
One thing I particularly noticed about Eleanor's performance was her guitarwork. If you get to see he live yourself, just checkout Memphis Tenessee for a prime example - and follow her through the song.

This was a slightly abbreviated Eleanor performance, for reasons already stated. A notable omission was the piano-free version of The Rain Falls - another 'must' to witness at future gigs.

I was having the time of my life at this gig because not only was I being treated to top class entertainment from two of my favourite singer-songwriters, I’d spent an afternoon with the co-founder of Juliet Turners’ discussion group and during this gig I was stood with the author of Eleanor’s website.

If there was anything to marr my evening in dreamsville , it was just the pressing emergencies of time.

Eleanor's Setlist:

1. Fire Overhead
2. The Way You Wear Your Troubles
3. Easy In Love
4. You’ll Hear Better Songs Than This
5. I Got You To See Me Through
6. Memphis Tennessee
7. Days Roll By (Many Thanks Terry Wogan)
8. Driving Home From Butlers (plus the jig)
9. Leaves Me Wondering
10. Did You Tell Him
11. Isn’t It A Little Late
12. Apologise
13. (Encore) Joni Mitchell’s Carey