Gig Reviews

Chris Difford

The first 'proper' song I ever learnt all the words to - 'Up The Junction' by Squeeze about thirty years ago. As a songwriting partnership, Difford & Tilbrook can justifiably be ranked amonsgt some of the best pop wordsmiths since Lennon & McCartney. Quintessentially English, they were the Ray Davies of the 80s; painting pictures of suburban life, never glamourising or gloryfying just telling it how it was: "I got a job with Stanley / He said I'd come in handy / And started me on Monday / So I had a bath on Sunday".

I saw Glenn Tilbrook at Glastonbury donkeys years ago and it was one of my highlights of that year's fest, enjoying his banter almost as much as his songs. well, Centre Stage in Westbourne is hardly the Acoustic Tent at Glasto but thanks to Bournemouth Folk Club Chris Difford is here tonight, wrapped up in his warm scarf, spectacles perched on top of his head, armed with his acoustic guitar and wonderful female harmoniser, Dorie Jackson.

He looked about five, maybe ten years older than he did in the Squeeze heyday, same haircut, same tone; faintly nasal (especially when singing the Squeeze numbers), but wonderfully warm and relaxed throughout the set. The first dozen or so songs were mostly solo recordings from recent albums, and whilst they were all new to my ears the lyrical quality was instantly evident with personal observations on personal issues (sex/food/relationships/self) "There was a time when I'd get pissed / But now I see a therapist / He helps me through the old red mist / He thinks I may be gay."

At times the atmosphere was interestingly intimate, with one middle-aged Squeeze fan (with a front row centre seat) treating the show like a one-to-one between himself and Mr Difford. Like a true pro he took it all in his stride with ease, seemingly undistracted by the fans' 'enthusiasm'. The second half on the ninety minute set was predominantly made up of early Squeeze classics, 'Tempted', 'Cool For Cats', 'Goodbye Girl', ending up the show with 'Up The Junction'. Wanting to sing along it seemed almost against etiquette to do so, so like most I sung under my breath. Apart from the gentleman at the front.

Chris Difford was relaxed, affable and willing to talk about life past and present. His performance was of the quality you'd expect from a man who has simply been there and done it, and for any 'original' Squeeze fans like myself was a joy purely for reasons of nostalgia. Oh, and he has a Christmas single out too, but I don't think he likes it all that much.

Tony Foster