John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett

John Otway has always based his act (and labelled his biography ) as "Rock and Roll's greatest failure". The crowd of Telfords Warehouse in Chester were tonight anticipating this supposed lack of talent and his underdog personality even before he took to the stage.

There appeared to be a warm family vibe to the gig. This could be partly explained by the good selection of real ale that this friendly, intimate venue offers. Mainly however the atmosphere was because for the first time since 1992 Otway is touring with his inanimate object of a guitar player, Wild-Willy Barrett. To those who are not aware of the Otway experience, Wild-Willy hardly moves a muscle as he strums away. In contrast to this his stage partner provides more of a whirling dervish approach to life.

The venue had been made all seated and as the lights dimmed the stage entrance was all a little low key. Wild Willy, a burly beast of a bloke, lumbered on, as Otway a tall gawky fella offered a mumbled "hello" to the awaiting throng. The opening couple of numbers were pleasant if a little timid but when they launched into their hit record of 1977, 'Really Free', Otway propelled himself both vocally and physically into this cracking song . Think of Terry Nutkins on speed and you will get the picture. For his part, Wild Willy who is body double of Willie Rushton, provided constant grungy riffs from his guitar. He has a special effects pedal and he knows how to use it.

From early on in the set the duo offered the crowd the option to shout out requests. It appears that the running list changes each night like some sort of Russian roulette with guitars .The crowd seemed to know exactly what to expect and were offered all the old favourites such as the marvellously named 'Beware Of The Flowers Cause I'm Sure They're Going To Get You, Yeah. The first half of the evening closed with the song called 'Bodytalk'. Otway secreted an electronic drum kit around his person to allow himself literally to become a human beat box. The twenty minute interlude allowed the stars of the show time to mingle and have a pint with their fans (a practice I'm sure Madonna will be copying later in the year).

The second half allowed Wild Willy to show off his musical prowess with a constant change of instruments including banjo, pedal steel guitar and dry, pithy banter. Otway showed his musical 'ability' with the further use of a device called a Theremin. No this isn't some type of trained rodent, but an electronic instrument that gives a whole array of science fiction type noises. In reality it is probably the worst instrument in the world for someone of Otway's (lack of) coordination and musical skills. It does however offer him the ability to grind his groin and produce weird, eerie music (don't tell me that you don't dream of such a possibility yourself).

Otway remains an excellent raconteur and talked about the fact that a couple of year's ago he had his second hit record. In the past he has bragged that he has been finally able to release his Greatest Hits album (note the "s", he's very proud of it, having "finally got it on the right side of Hit").

Otway's manic energy and the possibility of physical injury during renditions of songs, left observers both in awe, if not a little shell-shocked. If you like your entertainment in a X-factor polished like performance then John Otway and his Wild Willy will not be your cup of cocoa. However if you like something that is a cross between Buster Keaton and a folksy Jilted John, then it may well hit your spot. A smashing cosy venue like Telfords is made for gigs like this. I urge you to see this act before Otway has to retire on account of developing arthritis, or Wild Willy strains his smiling muscles.

As well as completing a national tour, you may be able to catch John Otway on the festival scene, as he is confirmed at both the Cambridge Rock as well as Weyfest. See eFestivals.co.uk for further details.

FUTURE GIGS