The inclusion of lyricist Chris Difford’s dry croak on lead vocals, a rigidly parallel octave below Glenn Tilbrook’s thin-but-sweet tenor, might have really limited the appeal of many of Squeeze’s loveliest melodies. Further, Difford’s octave-down tagalong might have served an extramusical purpose: his way of asserting ownership of his lyrics. In any case, for better or for worse, the octave move became one of Squeeze’s signatures; and when the celebrity Squeeze fan Aimee Mann wanted a touch of that magic, she hired on Difford and Tilbrook (and the octave between) for deployment in her delightful ’90s semi-hit “That’s Just What You Are.”
But for lovers of smart guitar pop, Glen Tilbrook is and has always been what baseball calls a five-tool player: a guy of rather outlandish and multidimensional musical gifts; sweet singer, brilliant melody-writer and an ace lead guitarist. For his post-Squeeze career, Tilbrook took over principal lyric-writing duties as well. He has released numerous solo records and, while 2004’s Transatlantic Ping Pong might be the best, they’re all full of the charms, melodic twists and guitar delights that you expect from a five-tool player, with no sub-octave echo.
Still supporting 2014’s bizarre and delightful world chamber-pop effort Happy Endings, Britpop royalty Glenn Tilbrook brings it to the Towne Crier in Beacon on Saturday, August 8 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the door. For tickets and more information, call (845) 855-1300 or visit www.townecrier.com.
Glenn Tilbrook, Saturday, August 8, 8:30 p.m., $35/$40, Towne Crier Café, 379 Main Street, Beacon; www.townecrier.com.
