The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Chris Difford and Boo Hewerdine
Clarks On Lindsay Street, Dundee, November 8
He’s one half of the legendary songwriting partnership behind Squeeze.
Chris Difford’s been penning words and music for the London band since the mid-70s, but is taking time out from his fêted collaboration with Glenn Tilbrook to tour with prolific ex-Bible songsmith Boo Hewerdine, best known for his work with Eddi Reader and a host of other Scottish artists.
It’s a pairing that’s been developing since Boo, 57, co-wrote and produced Chris’ 2008 album The Last Temptation Of Chris. “It’s brilliant the way he works – he just gives me a lyric and asks me to turn it into a song,” says Boo.
“Chris does that with Glenn as well and I really like it because his lyrics have a real bounce to them. Sometimes when I put music to them I’ll send it back and he’ll go, ‘Yeah, I thought it would go like that’.
“He’s a master of suggesting what the music’s going to be like and his lyrics are always real masterpieces of staying on topic. I used to love Squeeze when I was a kid so it’s a total thrill that I get to hang out with him.”
The pair took their acoustic show to Edinburgh for a week-long Fringe run in August, and Boo’s recently toured with both Reader and Orkney troubadour Kris Drever. “It’s over 25 years I’ve been playing with Eddi and it’s really exciting right now,” he adds.
“She’s got her new record out, which is one of her best ever, and we’ve had a lovely time. It’s an amazing period for me, I’m a lucky man.”
Cambridge-based Boo’s other regular collaborators include Caledonian songwriters Findlay Napier and Jill Jackson, and Glasgow-based producer Mark Freegard, an old school friend.
Unsurprisingly, he’s contemplating a flit north. “I walk down the street in Glasgow and people say hello much more than they do where I live – it’s like home to me,” explains the Patience Of Angels writer.
“I did a lot of time writing pop songs in London and that was really political and a bit joyless. In Scotland, people help each other and play on each other’s records. It’s a really supportive music scene. Jill’s album was such an exciting record to make and she became a close friend in the process.”
Boo’s looking forward to seeing Danny Wilson mates Gary and Kit Clark when the duo play two gigs in Dundee on Thursday, with the 57-year-old performing solo sets before teaming up with Difford. “I’ll be a husk of a man by the end of it,” he laughs.
“Like Chris, I’ve a lot of stories to tell and we just try to make it the most entertaining show possible. We have a really good time together, we just laugh the whole time.”