Peter Perrett
London Islington Assembly Hall
Louche, living (somehow) legend does it clean.
★ Like all of Perrett’s recent career, this is something of a miracle. As he sings in those uniquely dry yet expressive tones of secret Taliban wives and wanting to go with dignity, the band – including two of his sons – are solid and slick, and there’s no indication of his long hiatus lost to drugs or residual health issues. Now in his early 70s, he calmly, coolly swings through a blend of solo tracks (latest double album The Cleansing is full of waggish and caustic songs) and crowd-pleasing Only Ones greats. As Jamie Perrett works wonders with the climactic guitar solo of The Beast, the audience is somehow both surprised and reassured that it’s all gone so well.