Broudie Broods at Life Cafe

Post-Lightning Seeds, Ian Broudie has returned to the music scene after a break, with a visit to the suitably serene Life Café to showcase his new album Tales Told.
Since 2000 when the Lightning Seeds split up, Broudie has been brooding in a producer’s role. Unable to shake off the singer-songwriting bug, a return to the performing role that made his band so successful in the 90s was pretty much inevitable, although don’t go expecting the star spangled catchiness of his previous tunes.
Tales Told is largely an introspective affair with Broudie ditching the sunglasses. Some may suggest the lyrics indicate a severe mid-life crisis, others may suggest they indicate inner soul searching at its deepest. Either way, they undoubtedly still throw one of the country's best song writers back into the fold.
Despite not being first option for many bands in Manchester, many could do a lot worse than selecting Life for a decent album showcase, especially where intimate affairs are the order of the day.
Warm up act Jackson Cooper set the tone with a decent set, with their 9 foot tall lead singer running through a few songs reminiscent of the Bluetones.
Broudie’s set could have been longer, and the Liverpudlian didn’t return for an encore which was a little disappointing, but he delivered a tidy set consisting of the downbeat melodies from his new album, mixed up with laid back versions of Pure and Lucky You which came complete with gorgeous double bass player.
Baddiel and Skinner failed to show up for a rendition of Three Lions, although this would have been completely out of place amidst the low key numbers.
Life Cafe
23 Peter Street
Manchester
M2 5QR
Tel: 0161 833 3000
Fax- 0161 839 4000 www.lifecafe.info