Cat Power - Birmingham Academy 2, 10/06/2008

Neil Diamond and Cat Power may seem like strange bedfellows.

But tonight, they share Birmingham.

Somewhere across town, on another stage, Neil Diamond no doubt wows his crowd in the same way Cat Power does hers. And bizarre as it may seem, the parallels go beyond geography. Both have recently undergone something of a transformation. He, resurrected from cheesy, 70s crooner, to respected, chart topping singer. She from nervous anti-performer ridden with stage fright, to the confident, soulful artist who appears before us. Both have subtly reinvented and seemingly reinvigorated their careers, while casually distancing themselves from the weighty shadows of their past. Aside from a couple of tracks off 'The Greatest', tonight's setlist consists mainly of songs from 'Jukebox', plus a few more unreleased covers. A conscious decision or not, it seems a line has been drawn under the past, suggesting Chan Marshall is settled and happy with where she is now. Has found her true self and doesn’t wish to go back. Not even for 3 or 4 minutes.

But unlike Neil Diamond, Cat Power has done it without selling out. Not in any sense of the phrase. Most depressingly, in the actual sense. Downsized from the main Academy, to the smaller confines of the Academy 2, the room is almost bare when we arrive and only fills up to maybe three quarters it’s capacity. And while the space to move makes for a comfortable experience on such a blistering hot day, it's disheartening to think that lesser talents like Duffy and Adele can sell out bigger venues based on unwarranted hype and plaudits. But I guess that's another discussion for another time. For now, let's concentrate on Cat Power. Something it's not at all hard to do.

From the moment she wanders on stage, the band building up the intro to 'Ramblin (Wo)Man', Cat Power commands and holds your attention. She looks as stunning as she sounds. More so in person than any photo or recording can possibly do justice. Her voice, husky, sassy and seductive, seems otherwordly. It seems so natural. From soft whispers that nuzzle your ears, to impassioned cries, she controls her voice with ease. No over emoting. No fake sincerity. As though she's actually living out the lyrics on stage in front of you. Truly soulful. Singing outside the lines, she changes inflections. Plays with the words and melodies as though trying to find the truth of them. Unwilling to just play it how you've heard it before, she sings the songs how she feels they should be sung at that time. Reinterpreting her own reinterpretations as she goes along. And to their credit, the Dirty Delta Blues Band keep up with her every step of the way. A motley crew of seasoned musicians with reputations of their own, they’re more than capable of providing the perfect backing. From the delicate, aching beauty of 'She's Got You', to the smooth, slick soul of 'Woman Left Lonely', to the building, driving, attack of 'Tears Of A Clown' and a raucous ending to 'Lived In Bars'. Jim White on drums seems to conduct them. The centre musician directing the rest of the band. They change the pace and power as he does. Instinctively as one. They play off each other with ease. It manages to feel sleek and practiced, yet at the same time, playful and improvised. In, and of, the moment.

Highlights come thick and fast. Just when you think a song can't be topped, it is. A gorgeous 'Metal Heart' and a reworked, full band version of 'Silver Stallion' stick in the memory. But the night belongs to an impossibly wonderful 'Song For Bobby'. Chan telling us she loves that song, not realising we could already tell. That we can see how much she's enjoying the evening. Barely recognisable from the performer she once was. Where she would hide in the shadows, shielded by the protection of her guitar, here she enjoys the limelight. The awkward, nervous dancing of her TV appearances never shows its face. She moves comfortably around the stage all night. Connects with the crowd. Smiles. Waves. And after a medley that effortlessly mixes 'Blue Moon', 'Try A Little Tenderness' and The Everly Brothers' 'Dream', as the band depart, she stays on stage, embracing and accepting the applause and adoration. She claps back. Makes heart signs to the crowd. Pitches screwed up set lists into the darkness and hands out flowers to those at the front. And just as it seems that she and we would be happy to stay there all night, Chan finally makes her way off stage, the applause only ending when it's evident she won't be back. We make our way home, flower in hand. A memento that will wilt, of a night that will last in the memory for a long time.

Cat Power - she's got you (live session version)

Cat Power - dark end of the street (live session version)

Cat Power - dream/blue moon/try a little tenderness (live session version)

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