Saturday 14/01/06 Jamie T, Baldego, Alan Cassidy @ King Tuts, Glasgow

Tipped for the top this year, Jamie T emerges from a new wealth of London literary louts. Armed with only an acoustic bass as his weapon of choice (and a life time supply of Stella), he produces reggae beats over which he raps about tales from the streets. However, the night eases in with local lad Alan
Cassidy. Cowering behind the mic and hiding behind a mop of hair and beanie hat, Alan's whispy, breathless vocals could give Conor Oberst a run for his money. They emit so much beauty, they're sweet enough to send any diabetic into a fit. But perhaps one suger lump too many as some neddy characters at the back of Tuts guzzle at their beers lairily. But Alan's raw magic isn't wasted, as the majority watch in awe as he breezes through a setlist perfect for any episode of the OC.

Five minutes later, veteran Glasgow gigger Baldego graces the stage with a gaggle of local fans jeering. What the fuss is about isn't entirely evident. Baldego lives up to his name. He's bald, and um, he's bald. He sounds like a rusty Robbie Williams, maybe that's the ego influence to his name! Singing MOR tunes
for a MOR fanbase, he also covers Muse and Radiohead to be a bit risqué. Cough cough.

Finally, now for Jamie T, taking centre stage. Just him perched on a stool, an acoustic bass and a mic. He launches striaght into the set. No intro. No fuss. Well, infact there is some fuss! the crowd are hotly anticipating this elf like character with poetry of the streets and lyrical humour. He pulls the right strings
and gets the laughs on cue.  Don't be fooled by his attire, no pigeon-holing here. His folksie checkered shirt doesn't mean he's the new Willy Mason. Think the wit of Mike Skinner infused with reggae punk beats. Tales of drink, used condoms and birds fighting. 'Back Of The Game' is played early on, followed by a bit of banter. "Nearly missed our plane over 'ere" he grins. So we count ourselves lucky thats we manage to catch this marvelous gem play. Rolling into a song called 'Living With Betty' influenced by that 70s show featuring Mike Spencer, jeers of "Betty!" ring out! "Life needs direction", he raps in his Saaf Lahndan accent. And life right now will be directing this one man and his bass onto stella things. His set ends, he dished out his notorius mix tapes to frantic impatient hands, and sets off with his bag rammed with Stella. Take time out to check out Jamie T.