Ian McNabb returned to Acapela to give us a full evening of Icicle Works and solo songs on a Sunday Bank Holiday weekend. The last time Ian was at The Chapel his mother had just passed away. How he got through that show I'll never know. Anybody who follows Ian on his social media knows exactly how close he was to his mum. He got through I think just through pure professionalism, probably.
Tonight we had a different Ian, often known for his acerbic between song banter, Ian cut the chat right down and seemed on a mission of include as many songs as he possibly could. And with an immense canon of work to chose from, where do you start?
So, he pulled his beautiful white Gretsch 12 string from the rack and off we go with Great Dreams Of Heaven. I love how prolific Ian is. He reminds me of another 80s Icon, Mr Michael Leslie Peters (aka The World's Greatest Living Welshman) of The Alarm in his non stop creativity.
The Acapela is perfect for the acoustic treatment of his back catalogue and the 12 string gives the added depth to the more dense of the recorded works on show tonight.
Great Dreams Of Heaven
Next up we have the title track from his Merseybeast album and also the title of the first volume of his very entertaining autobiography. Apparently he's currently working on part 2.
we have the third opening track of an album in a row nest with the mighty Fire Inside My Soul from the excellent Head Like A Rock album which led to the first singalong slice of audience participation,
Ian then slowed the pace down for the first Icicle Works song of the evening - Little Girl Lost. At this point I'd like to thank Ian for posting tonight's set list as these days it looks as if he puts up a list of songs and choses what he likes once he's on stage. Makes it much easier for your friendly neighbourhood music blogger who has to try and juggle camera duties with writing down set lists as they occur.
As Ian's career has progressed it seems as if he's struck a a rich seam of songwriting gold. 2021 gave us the stunning Utopia album and it's here we got to next with the seemingly ever relevant Deserter.
Deserter
On Ian's last visit I really loved the songs he played at the piano and was hoping for a bit more tonight but I was to be disappointed as he kept the keyboard songs to two!
The first up came next, the lovely Making Silver Sing from the 2019 album Our Future In Space. I do wish he would play more keyboard songs - Ian, next time, just think about it.
Makin' Silver Sing
Out Of Season sees Ian return to his guitars and then we're into the final song of Part 1, another Icicle works song, When it all Comes Down, an epic driving song which should have been a massive hit back in 1985 and now prompts another great audience singalong. A fabulous way to end part 1, even shorn of it's twinkling production. It's great to hear these songs in their acoustic incarnation - exactly how they must have been written.
When It All Comes Down
After a short break it's back to the songs and to the latest album, the cheekily titled Nabby Road and a highlight from that album, Film Noir Star
We head back to 1985 for a stripped back but just as upbeat Icicle Works song, All The Daughters (of our father's house), minus the horns, of course.
Another slow graceful ballad comes next as Ian turns to his album 2005's before All Of This for the opening track to that album, There Oughta Be A Law.
Then it's time for another uptempo Icicle Works song, 1988's High Time.
High Time
It's solo Ian next with the rocker, you Must Be Prepared To Dream followed quickly by The Icicle Works song Who Do You Want For Your Love another killer chorus made for a bit of audience participation.
With the set coming to a close, Ian decides to turn the volume down and give us Camaraderie for the excellent Merseybeast album from 1996.
Ian has left me waiting until almost the end of the show for another keyboard song, staying with Merseybeast he gives us the beautifully plaintive Little Bit of Magic. A truly beautiful performance. Ian, if you happen to read this, give us more bloody piano songs, especially at Acapela!
We arrive at the last two songs of the evening in what seems like the blink of an eye. And seeing as the tour celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the release of The Icicle Works song, the anthemic Love Is A Wonderful Colour it seems apt we finish with that but not before another crowd singalong to another Icicle Works classic, Evangeline.
Love Is A Wonderful Colour
The obvious standing ovation ensued and thus ended the show. Acapela is the perfect venue for Ian to showcase his songs in an acoustic setting and although it's a tasty drive down from Liverpool to Cardiff, I know, I've done it, I hope Ian feels the love in the room and decides to visit us on a regular basis. There's seemingly no end to his creativity and It's a privilege to hear these songs in their acoustic form. Ian, you'll always be welcome in The Chapel. And I can't wait for New Brighton Rock & the Fleetwood Mac album!!
All photos copyright ©️ Nick Baker 2023
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