It was eight years ago that angelic home-grown singer/songwriter Nerina Pallot hit the scene with her first album. Now making it on her own record label, October 2009 has seen Nerina unveil her third studio album to the world, The Graduate, and it will have been some relief that critics appear to agree these are her classiest, most sophisticated and adventurous pop songs to date. Despite some industry recognition in 2007 with nominations at the BRITs and Ivor Novello Awards, commercial success has been a tough nut to crack for Nerina and tonight, for one night only, she finds herself showcasing her new songs at 53 Degrees, Preston.
Dedicated fans would already be well familiar with the new material, following a witty online campaign of acoustic renditions broadcast each week leading up to the albums release. On arriving at this already intimate venue it was surprising to hear that the pit had been pushed forward at the special request of the band for the audience to get as close as possible to the musicians, something that is unheard of at my usual haunts. The attendance was also far less than anticipated, but Nerina, who was in a talkative mood all night, suggested that this was because we were obviously a select group of intellectuals gathered to enjoy her live show and should she have known the turn out she could have baked us all fairy cakes – a policy all acts might consider to entice their sweet-toothed followers.
The three-piece band delighted fans with a beautiful set of piano-driven pop songs and the occasional guitar-led ballad; including the hopeful Everything’s Illuminated, the cheeky When Did I Become Such A Bitch, album bonus track God Of Small Things, old favourites Patience and chart success Everybody’s Gone to War, plus forthcoming single Real Late Starter. There are obvious comparisons to Sheryl Crow and Joni Mitchell’s sound, but Nerina’s captivating live performance is unique – and I was convinced she was singing every heartfelt lyric directly to me, only to look around and notice everyone else probably thinking exactly the same. Between songs Nerina joked with her loyal fans about politics, religion and shoes; her innocence, honesty and humorous nature only adding to her naturally enchanting stage persona.
The show closed with a popular toe-tapping Elton John medley including Bennie And The Jets / Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) and then Nerina was cheered back on stage for one last time to play Sophia as a final solo send off.
As The Graduate looks set to hit the UK Album Chart, there is a genuine sense that this tour might indeed be a defining moment in Nerina’s turbulent career. We all left feeling warm and fuzzy inside, yet I suspect very slightly disappointed that Nerina had not worn that infamous white rabbit suit.
