Live Performance Review: Jack White, Thursday 08.11.2012, 19:00, Usher Hall, Edinburgh

I went to see Jack, as am a fan of 'The White Stripes', and had purchased his decent album, Blunderbuss, earlier in the year, due to being impressed with what I had heard him perform from it on television. I had not particularly enjoyed his other side projects, 'The Raconteurs' & 'The Dead Weather'.

The Support, Willy Moon, was easily forgettable one-note crap, who appeared supremely confident without reason.

Jack played the first half of his performance with six female musicians, and the second half with five male musicians. Each half was approximately fifty minutes. The first half was good, though the second half was better. The musicians appeared more rockin', able, cohesive and loose. The musicians in the first half did not appear to be having much fun.The staging and lighting was impressive and the venue appeared good for the performance, with the seats having been taken out of the bottom level. Songs from across Jack's career were performed. It was great to hear songs such as 'Hotel Yorba' from 'The White Stripes' 'White Blood Cells' album remodeled/countrified, though in a way which has clearly been practiced and works. There were enough of the solo songs, a good measure of 'The White Stripes' (other 'Stripes' songs included 'We're Going To Be Friends', 'Hardest Button to Button' and 'Seven Nation Army'), songs such as 'Steady as She Goes' ('The Raconteurs'), and even a few bars of 'Quantum of Solace'.

It was a nice touch to end with the classic folk song 'Goodnight Irene', though to get a female backing singer who does not appear to know the words to duet on part of it was regrettable. It was also clearly being approached as a singalong, though most of the audience appeared to have no idea as to what the song was. With this being the case, it would have been good for Jack to have at least done the chorus by himself on the acoustic guitar, to introduce it to those who did not know it.

The White Stripes always used to end with a rendition of 'De Ballit of De Boll Weevil', and I'm sure that in the earliest part of their career most of the audience would not have known this song, though they certainly became used to it. When I saw them, and in footage I've seen of them performing, the audience has sung along heartily. It is nice to hear him try something new, though 'Goodnight Irene' although quite rousing is also downbeat. I feel for a rock performer, as I view Jack to be, it is more apt to end on a more upbeat song, which 'De Ballit of De Boll Weevil' certainly was.

I saw 'The White Stripes' in the Glasgow Academy in 2005 on the tour for 'Get Behind Me Satan', and Jack was a very impressive guitarist/musician and showman at that point and still remains as impressive. Although it was very enjoyable to see Jack perform again, it was not exciting or as much fun as seeing 'The White Stripes' was.

Rating: 08/10.