David Ford

This is the third night of David Ford’s annual charity event entitled ‘Milk and Cookies’. Proceeds from these shows and sales of the ‘Milk and Cookies’ EP go towards the YMCA’s Inner Journey Project, part of their ground-breaking work with young homeless people. The excellent Izumi Records compilation CD which David is featured on, ‘It’s Not Like Christmas’, is also on sale tonight in support of Shelter.

David announces that this show is not representative of what he does – "it’s about fundraising and fun-raising", so perhaps it’s a bit unfair to review the gig as it is clearly a less formal and less structured show than he would normally do, and he also has a more husky voice than usual due to a cold. Still, it’s guaranteed to be an interesting gig in this lovely Edwardian venue, complete with chandeliers and glitter balls, showcasing some of the songs from his album ‘I Sincerely Apologise For All the Trouble I’ve Caused’ as well as an interesting mixture of covers.



David opens the show with one of his own, ‘State of the Union’, a popular live song which utilises the looping technique to great effect. It’s a rant at government and as with so many of his songs full of his powerful, bitter lyrics that make you wince and smile – "Get your coat ‘cos the righteous are leaving, ‘cos they can’t work out what the hell to believe in". He also plays ‘Cheer Up You Miserable F*ck’, which the audience know all the words to, and the ode to paranoia, ‘Katie’, from the album, as well as a couple of untitled new tunes and his contribution to the Izumi compilation ‘Have Yourself a Bitter Little Christmas’ which is a great song about leaving your wife! Fran Healy from Travis joins David to sing Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ and they then adjourn to a corner at the back of the venue and play an unplugged version of ‘Driftwood’.

Amongst the very random mixture of cover songs are Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’, Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ (enhanced by Irish fiddle), Madonna’s ‘Like A Prayer’, with backing vocals and harmonies from the crowd, and Daniel Bedingfield’s ‘If You’re Not the One’. There are also more subdued choices – ‘Lua’, a beautiful song by Bright Eyes and the contemplative ‘Goodnight Saigon’ by Billy Joel. The show finishes on a high with the whole band joining in the Outkast song ‘Roses’.

All in all, it’s a slightly rambling but fun, Christmassy evening and good to know that it’s for a worthy cause too.

FUTURE GIGS