Paddy Mc Keown, Pixie Saytar, Katy Daly's, Belfast, 02.10.06

by Stuart Bailie from BBC's ATL

 

There's an old Tin Pan Alley tune, 'Tonight You Belong To Me', that stretches back to 1926. It's been covered by Frankie Laine, by Steve Martin (in The Jerk) and Fiona Apple. And tonight, it's Belfast's turn to give it an 80th birthday makeover.

Pixie Saytar sings the lead. She's got a remarkable voice, using all of her frame to effect. A smart, assured artist, she favours the rose tattoos while her singing partner Johnny Black (aka Buck Steer) models the Jesus Lizard T-shirt and Spanish guitar. It's a swell combo and they sing it like some old Carter Family mountain melody with grungy overtones.

And so finally, Pixie gets her recognition. For the previous half hour, she's battled against the relentless chatter, the chronic indifference. Her words have been scattered in the din, and she's almost been hidden behind the balustrade. Thankfully, her reputation is already on the rise, she's gathering a new band and you can hear the grain and the talent online.

Paddy McKeown has also been working the myspace dimension, but equally he's not shy of doing it live. His band features a violin, a six string bass, some saxophone and a guitarist who works his e-bow contraption over the strings. Not punk rock, then. Altogether, it's a rare mix of the simple and the textured, the plainsong and the cathedral of sound, man.

Sometimes it's a little busy, even precious, but when the songs fly, it's good to witness. The central dynamic is that voice, keening and cooing, lighting out to the edges of the tune. Again, it's a risky habit, and the Tim Buckley comparisons are weighty enough. But to manage it in this location is a proper feat.

He plugs his two EPs, sings a few final hosannas, and we leave with the impression that a Monday night in Belfast has potential for two acts with adventure and sass.