It's been a long time delayed, for you-know-what reasons, but finally Owens was able to hold the launch event for his new album, Sinner's Shrine. In his home town of course, in front of a packed out audience.
Support came from singer/songwriter, and Owens collaborator, Kirsten Adamson, who delivered a good warm up set. An engaging performer with an excellent voice.
Adamson returned after the interval as backing singer with The Sinners, along with Kevin McGuire on upright bass, Craig Ross on guitar and Neil Weir adding trumpet. That backing line up varied across the set, but the constant, whether solo or with band, was Dean. His joy at performing live again was obvious, although he was also less garrulous than usual, letting the music do the talking. They began with Arizona, first track on the new album, and continued with several other new tracks, Weir adding the necessary Tex-Mex feel that's such a strong feature of the recording. But also included plenty more familiar material, with Raining in Glasgow the usual crowd-involving highlight.
Owens ability to produce memorable melodies and lyrics is undimmed, and the voice is distinctive and always pleasant. It was a shame that the sound system didn't always match the band's abilities, with the tone muddied when things got louder, and the mixing seeming uncertain - it was often hard to distinguish between Weir's brass and Ross' strings. But that did nothing to dampen the atmosphere, which is what live entertainment is all about. A great night.
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