There are not many evenings where the headliner greets you on arrival but The Basement at The Green Note is one venue that affords such an opportunity, and when your host is Vic Allen it makes it all the more special. Having missed a similar show over a year ago, there was no way this was going to slip by and it would prove to be a wise decision. It has been a relatively quiet year output wise for Vic following the heyday of her debut album and some lovely acoustic versions that closed off the project, however it was heartening to hear that there is much to come in 2025.
The evening would be split into two parts, with the first all on guitar, and the second a mix between guitar and piano. Vic like #TEAMw21 was coming off the back a flu like bug, however with the assistance of some Green Note Hot Toddy's it was rarely noticeable There would be a mixture of songs old and new and some teasing hints of what the future may hold with bare bones versions of some unrecorded songs.
The first half would open with one of this years new singles "Bad Weather", the single itself was another pop classic that the world should hang its head in shame for not embracing fully. This stripped back acoustic version retained all of the key elements, the high notes of the chorus and the "Whoa oh oh" chant and let light in on the magic of Vic's creative process. The outside weather may well have chilly however the Basement was warming up nicely and Vic was soon in her t shirt, which was apt, for the next song was set in the warmth of "Mexico", one of a batch of unreleased songs played on the night. There were hints of Mexico in the verse guitar playing matched to a potential power pop chorus, it all sounded very promising.
A run of Vic's singles would then show quite how deep her repertoire is, "Pictures Of Us", which incorporated a quick pause for cough. This solo version somehow really nailed down the implications of not having a joint picture in these highly photographed times we live in, and the playing really emphasised the repeated refrain. The next song "I Can" would lift the pace if not the mood, the explosive chorus ends with another quite brutal realisation. A trip to the archives would bring out "Bittersweet", made by Vic's exquisite phrasing on the chorus. Vic's great love of travel was celebrated in "Suitcase" sounding as magnificent and fresh as its first outing, it's a style of writing we hope Vic will be exploring more.
An unreleased song "Kinder" extolled the values of being kind to yourself and seemed to be Vic letting us see a vulnerable side to herself, the opening revelations we can't help but feel will resonate with many. The chorus of "I still pull myself to pieces every day" was probably not easy to write or sing. It didn't sound like it was totally finished yet, however it was most affecting and definitely one to watch out for. Another new song "Ended In A Song" , touched on the observation that almost anyone that comes into Vic's circle, ends up immortalised in lyrics. Funnily enough this song conceived from events in Nashville sounded her most countryish song to date. The first half would close out with a song that even Vic is unsure as to what it is actually about - "The Bullet" -
"I'm going to feel the bullet someone has to take"
being just one of the lines we'll one day maybe have to decypher.
If the first half was excellent, the second with the addition of the piano took things to another level - the joy of the Basement was that this was more like a gathering of like minded friends rather than a gig, it was a safe space where things could be tried out, Vic would prove to be a veritable Robin Hood landing bullseye's with each tune. Things would open with "Different Things" which as Vic would point out, was played at her successful album launch at The Water Rats. With it's thumping piano chords and lyrical intensity it got things off to a flying start. Vic was already working her way through Hot Toddy number 2 and it was keeping things ticking along just fine. The next song "Confetti" would derive it's source from the same person as the previous song, originally released as a low key single until finding it's own home on the "Some Place I'd Rather Be" album, this version really brought the lyrics to life in a most impressive way. Another unreleased song "What Happened To Her" was another development in Vic's writing style and playing, seemingly loaded with hooks and melodies, be prepared to be reeled in by this song next year.
The final piano tune would, kick off another run of previous single releases, starting with "Healing", as uplifting as the proceeding song had been downbeat, Vic's rapidly fired out verses matched to the sublime chorus brought a lot of joy to the The Green Note, that not even a squeaky toilet door could ruin. Switching back to guitar we went straight into "Talk" with it's irresistible snappy chorus. A request from the audience brought a sterling version of "Enough", with another copper bottomed chorus and the exasperation in the line "It ain't enough for me". Vic's guitar playing and vocals would increase in intensity throughout to great effect, through to the sudden ending. The next request resulted in a snatch of a long forgotten song called "Strong" before we went to "Falling In Love" an unreleased song written with #TEAMw21 favourite for many years Liv Austen. It was about loving life rather than a specific person. The main set would close with Vic's latest single "Wake Up Pretty" which may well be her most important release to date, for it says a lot about the idealised world we currently live in.
This version played out to a virtually all male audience still gave us plenty to mull on and Vic's wish was that we would forward it on to someone who might benefit from hearing it.
The encore would see an audience singalong in the shape of the upbeat "Drive Thru". Vic and #TEAMw21 may both have been suffering from our various ailments, but a night at The Green Note Basement would prove to be exactly what the Doctor ordered - musical therapy for the mind, body and soul. !!