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Noel Gallagher took the first major step in his solo career last night with a stripped-down acoustic set at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Playing as part of the annual Teenage Cancer Trust concerts, a series of benefit shows started 10 years ago by the Who’s Roger Daltrey, Gallagher was expected to use the gig to test out songs from his forthcoming solo album. Instead, he unearthed a host of Oasis rarities and asked fans to be patient for the new tracks.
Joined by former Oasis lead guitarist Gem Archer and touring keyboardist Jay Darlington (both said to be part of brother Liam’s new band) and percussionist Terry Kirkbride, the elder Gallagher kicked off the night with “(It’s Good) To Be Free,” “Talk Tonight” and “Fade Away,” a trio of Oasis B sides from the mid-1990s that could easily have ended up on any of their acclaimed records from the period.
Gallagher was in high spirits, bantering with the crowd throughout the night and suggesting, “If you want to commit a burglary in Crouch End, tonight would be the night to do it,” prior to introducing the Crouch End Choir. The chorus was outmatched on their first song, “Cast No Shadow,” by the Oasis faithful who bellowed out the lyrics to the classic cut from What’s the Story Morning Glory?
“Half the World Away,” another early B side followed, before Wired Strings, an eight-piece all-female orchestra, took their seats behind the band. They proved a brilliant complement to the acoustic arrangement on “Don’t Go Away,” a cut from Be Here Now. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but this is exactly the same set I played two years ago,” Gallagher announced, referring to his 2007 appearance at the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit that was later released...
Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily