Otway and Barrett in memorable live show

9:41am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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I headed to Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre to review a gig by John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett with an open mind.

I knew very little about them, even though they've been on the music scene for around 30 years. I had a vague notion that they could be fairly anarchic on stage and I half remembered Otway's novelty hit Bunsen Burner from 2002.

So what are they like? Well, they form a great contrast. Otway, 55, thin and angular, is all nervous energy and boyish enthusiasm. Barrett, a little older, bearded and dressed like a traditional canal boat owner (he does actually live on a boat), is quieter and more droll, rolling his eyes at his musical partner's antics.

There was plenty of self-deprecation in the show. Otway proudly referred to his other hit' - the brilliant Really Free - from 1977 but also to his many flops'. One song was introduced with: "This is a song I wrote for a girl who left me for someone better(pause) I've got a lot of songs like that!"

The music varied from punk to folk to ballads. Otway delivered his vocals in a staccato style while Barrett, a superb musician, amazed on a variety of instruments, including guitar fiddle and banjo.

There was plenty of comedy - and some bizarre moments, such as when we realised Barrett had stuck his amp in a brown wheelie bin on stage and he started playing with the feedback effects by opening and shutting the lid. At one stage, during the ballad Geneva, Barrett produced a saw and started sawing into the acoustic guitar he was playing at the time.

There was a real sense of fun and energy. Things got a bit ragged midway through the second half but this was a show unlike any other I've seen - and thoroughly entertaining.