Music

World Party, Oran Mor, Glasgow

Jonathan Geddes

THREE STARS

There are probably alternative realities where Karl Wallinger is a household name and World Party followed up their early 90s chart success with a steady run of hits. In this land, however, they remain a cult offering, albeit one that still attracted a lively crowd to Oran Mor.

Perhaps too spirited, given there was plenty of chatter during this set. That wasn't an issue during noisier numbers, given that the group's regular trio were here aided by bass and drums, but it hampered a mid-set piano section.

That segment featured She's The One, later made famous by Robbie Williams, and here possessed with lovely melancholy. There was plenty of such sweet melodies and harmonies throughout, as Wallinger can shape a fine pop tune, with the warm sing-along of Put the Message In The Box and joyful power-pop of Call Me Up particular highlights.

There was also a rousing instrumental passage on Love Street that let fiddler David Duffy bound to the fore, while Wallinger proved gregarious company, albeit with the odd dash of banter that recalled a cozy afternoon DJ. Given his noted health problems around a decade ago, you suspect he is relishing what he has, and there was an enjoyably relaxed air about the whole set.

However, the phrase too much of a good thing did spring to mind, with these amiable pop tunes sometimes lacking any added bite, nice enough but not always memorable. Everybody's Falling In Love was served with lashings of syrup, and the harmony heavy When The Rainbow Comes never rose above its soft-rock inspirations.

A finale of Who Are You? and a rowdy take on Ship Of Fools had no such trouble, potent pop that seemed as relevant as ever.