05 November 2024 (gig)
11 h
It’s 56 years since American folk singer-songwriter Tucker Zimmerman recorded and released his first album, modestly titled ’10 Songs’. Produced by Tony Visconti, that relationship led Tucker to Bowie who recommended 10 Songs as one of his favourite albums. Yet, a little over a decade later and with a small handful of respectable releases, Tucker fled his native shores and set up home in Belgium with his lifelong partner Marie Claire. And that’s where he has been ever since, away from the limelight crafting an artistic career writing novels, short stories, poems, and composing film music and compositions for symphonic orchestras.
Then in 2022, fellow indie-folksters Big Thief stumbled upon his music, contacted Tucker to deferentially ask him to open for them on their European tour, which eventually led to Tucker and Marie Claire travelling to New England where they spent 2 weeks working with Big Thief recording what would become his eleventh album. And at 83 years of age, Dance of Love might just be his best yet. It is an intimate album, with discerning contributions from the likes of Adrianne Lenker and her Big Thief companions, with even Marie Claire bringing her gentle vocals to the mix, that all in all make for a tender and joyous collection of songs.
Playing a one-off show in London, Tucker’s performance was a part of the London Pitchfork Music Festival which is running over several days across several venues in London. The Lexington, with its capacity of only 200, offered a cloistered space very much suited to the night’s bill.
IJI – as Zach Burba is otherwise named – was first up with his brand of West Coast pop. Upbeat and a tad quirky, he brought some sunshine to a dark and damp November night. Drums, lap steel, bass, keys provided backing which in turn were together providing the backing for Tucker when he took the stage later.
Irish singer-songwriter Ellie O’Neill followed with a 30-minute set of wistful folk ballads. A little reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, she stilled the small Lexington audience. The poetic single Bohemia, with its lilting vocal and finger-plucked guitar (recently released via Bandcamp) showcased her maturing talent. She gained an enthusiastic response at the end of her set that left her looking awkwardly surprised.
The octogenarian Tucker was looking frail when he took the stage, buckled over he needed support to find his seat. “Take my advice – don’t get old!” he declared with a cheeky smile and a twinkle in his eye. The reverential audience gave him a warm welcome and soon he and the band were rolling through a set mostly made up of new songs but included some choice picks from his back catalogue.
Tucker was relaxed and loose and evidently enjoyed every minute of his one-hour performance. The band too seemed delighted and honoured to be playing with such a legend (the drummer didn’t stop smiling). With an age gap between Tucker and the rest of the band of about 50 years, the contrast was poignant. As he sings on the beautiful ballad The Season, that he’s grateful to have ‘made it through another night’, and genuinely humbled to still be ‘hanging around’ and doing his thing, it was hard not to allow a little tear. Especially when seeing the loving smile from his lifelong partner Marie Claire, supporting him every step of the way from the wings.
Overall, the mood was joyous but reflective. Tucker recited a couple of his poems - whilst the band provided some lightly comical accompaniment – and he shared the odd story from his upbringing way back when. The recent single Burial at Sea got the audience singing along to the ‘oh yeahs’ of the chorus, and as the band encored with Nobody Knows, Tucker seemed to be having too much fun to want it to end: “They said one more, but they didn’t say how long!” he cried out with a smile as he rocked out on his 12-string guitar.
Eventually time caught up as it always does and once again there was the sober reminder of Tucker’s 80-plus years as he needed help to uncouple himself from his chair, get to his feet and shuffle aided from the stage. His smile didn’t diminish one bit though, and give him half a chance, I bet he would have gladly given us another hour.
