While arguably most well-known for his brief tenure in indie-rockers Suede (Butler left shortly after the release of the band's second album 'Dog Man Star' in 1994) or his partnership with vocalist David McAlmont (which garnered a couple of Top 20 singles in the mid-90s) this was Bernard Butler's first appearance in the Isle of Man, performing a pair of intimate solo gigs at the Erin Arts Centre, the new home for a series of concerts put on by But First Promotions.

Taking to the stage in a blitz of trademark floppy hair after a well-received set by local musicians Steve Nash and Phil Reynolds, Bernard was affable, sprightly and provided a virtuoso performance. During the set he flitted between acoustic guitar and his prized 1961 Gibson, a thing of absolute beauty with a sound to match. To say the stage was minimal was an understatement (in fact, there wasn't even a stage) but Bernard held the rapt attention of the attendees through 75 minutes of his career as a solo, and collaborative, artist.

Making full use of a loop pedal for the longer songs in his set, such as the incredible 'Autograph' ("I'm going to make a noisy old racket here...") he effortlessly laid down backing to act as a canvas for his sensational solos and improvisations that lasted nearly ten minutes. It really was a masterclass in how to entertain with just an instrument and a microphone.

Throughout, he was enthusiastic about the local music scene, imploring us to support it where we can, and how important it is to communities and artists such as himself to be able to contribute. While his demeanour was tinged with an element of shyness (Butler has never seemed to make himself the main focus, as evidenced by his time in Suede and McAlmont & Butler, and his extensive 'behind the scenes' role as a producer for a whole host of bands and artists over the past two decades) he was delighted with the "scary friendliness" shown to him as a born and bred Londoner, where people saying "hello" in the street simply isn't much of a 'thing' there, apparently!

He sounded greatly inspired by the coastline and weather of the Isle of Man, explaining that most of his songs have an affinity or link to the sea. He also let us into the inner workings of his writing process, describing songs as "train journeys" with a starting destination, knowing where he wants them to end up, but it’s the trip there that truly decides what the end result sounds like.

Playing selections from his two solo albums "proper" (People Move On and Friends & Lovers), plus his collaborative album with actor Jessie Buckley (For All Our Days That Tear the Heart), he also worked in two tracks from the McAlmont collaboration ('Although' and 'Yes' - the latter of which he remarked with amusement people seem to choose a lot as a wedding song - "it's an uplifting song, but lyrically it's not nice at all!") there was no room for any Suede compositions, but the quality of the material he showcased, and the context in which he framed them more than made up for this.

It was strange hearing ‘Yes’ performed without David McAlmont’s trademark falsetto vocal, but it gave a new lease of life to the song that was most refreshing. Finishing with perhaps his most popular solo single 'Not Alone' ("I don't do the whole encore thing" he tells us, recounting a time he once intended to play an encore and nobody showed any great enthusiasm for it, believing the show to have simply come to an end) he rounded off an evening where the audience were certainly treated to someone referred to as "the finest guitarist of his generation". Having seen him perform in the flesh, I can certainly second that comment.

Taking time after the show to engage with those in attendance in the bar, he was genial, grateful to have been invited to play at the venue and more than happy to chat and pose for photos, as well as signing this reviewer's CD booklets and LP sleeves (sorry I brought a carrier bag of them, Bernard!) Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for a second visit, but until then, his down to Earth nature, humour and skill were thoroughly enjoyed by all who saw him over the two nights.     

Words and Pictures by Pete Muscutt