Saturday 18/01/03 Jeff Klein, Jesse Malin @ Academy, Liverpool

It would certainly take a hell of a lot to knock Shane McGowan and The Popes out of my top 5 gigs of all time, but Jesse Malin comes close to doing just that tonight. Ably supported by angst-ridden acoustic troubadour Jeff Klein, Jesse and his band hold our hearts in their hands and break and repair them several times. Playing songs from his 'Fine Art of Self Destruction' album produced by Ryan Adams, Mr Malin is a storyteller in the finest tradition of the New York borough he hails from. It's fitting that Jesse lives in Queens, because his set is like the works of Simon and Garfunkel performed by The Ramones.

Ricochet pop gems 'Wendy' and 'Queen of the Underworld' are greeted like old friends by the 200 strong Academy crowd. Sometimes the songs themselves play second fiddle to the hugely entertaining stories that are being told around them. The Barbara Streisand / Removal man story that precedes the achingly beautiful 'Brooklyn' is absolutely hilarious for example.

With this being named the 'Death or Glory Tour' in tribute to Joe Strummer, you'd expect Jesse to wear his politics on his sleeve, and he doesn't disappoint us - '**** George Bush and **** Saddam Hussein and **** this ****ing war!' He finishes the set with a blistering version of Elvis Costello's 'What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding' and everyone is jumping up and down with big goofy smiles on their faces.

Several hours after the gig, I'm ****ed off my face in Le Bateau and see Jesse and his band standing by the bar. I can barely remember my own name at this point but I'm on a mission from God. I purchase a large vodka and thrust it into Jesse's hand - I wake up two days later. One suspects that both Mr Malin and Mr McGowan would have been proud of me.

Photo by Shelly Turner :: shelly@gigwise.com