In over thirty years of attending concerts, the recent Nicole Atkins and Jim Sclavunos show at The Cluny is perhaps the only gig this writer recollects that started with Morris Dancing. I kid you not.
Having been wandering outside of the venue earlier in the evening, Nicole stumbled across a troupe of dancers outside. So, when the show commenced Atkins walked the feisty bunch into the middle of the room where they delivered an impromptu performance of this traditional style of folk dance to the amazed Tyneside audience.
Of course, Nicole Atkins is no stranger to The Cluny, having played here on several occasions in the past. And the room was the perfect setting for such an intimate show. With seats dotted around the room, the ambience was similar to that of a traditional jazz club. The audience was attentive throughout.
Having explained that the show nearly didn’t happen due to an issue with their tour van door preventing the band from accessing their equipment, the inclusion of a song about touring felt perfectly fitting. That being the rather soulful Never Goin’ Home from the album Italian Ice.
The dance theme continued during Captain. The audience was invited to slow dance with their partners. The couple who impressed Nicole the most was promised a drawing by the artist herself. She joked that in future it could be worth “tens of dollars”.
The retro sound of Goodnight Rhonda Lee was one of the many highlights of the show. Whilst Sclavunos pounding rhythms during a rocking rendition of Maybe Tonight were of note.
Atkins and Sclavunos switched things up somewhat with the rather funky and infectious Domino. Nicole even ventured out into the middle of the room whilst serenading the fans during Serious Drinking. A song which allowed the versatile performer to channel Dean Martin.
The Atkins and Sclavunos composition Man Like Me certainly impressed and gave the audience a taste of what may come from the dynamic duo.
With no false walk-off, the group concluded with both Atkins and Sclavunos joining together centre stage during a wonderful duet of the Tom Waits number Strange Weather.
What can we say – a show that started with Morris Dancing and concluded with a Tom Waits cover showcases the breadth of the pair’s musical pallet. All we can say is that Nicole Atkins and Jim Sclavunos are cooler than Italian Ice.
Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy
