"I worked it out the other day," says Paul Heaton. "Since 1986, there have been 19 Mercury Music Prizes, 189* Q Awards, 350* Brit Awards..." etc. etc. (*I don't remember the exact numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if the ones quoted by Heaton were accurate) "...and what have I won? Fuck all. I'd have more chance of winning a Mobo!"
The by now veteran singer-songwriter is half-joking with his audience in Manchester on Friday night, but only half. And he's got every right to be pissed off when everyone from Robbie Williams to Kula Shaker has walked away with armfuls of awards from the various music biz schmoozathons over the last 25 years, yet an artist who's been part of two Number One-selling groups, one half of the most successful British songwriting duo since Lennon & McCartney, and a critically acclaimed solo songwriter to boot... all he's got on his mantelpiece is dust. Oh wait, I just checked, The Beautiful South won Best Video in 1991. So that's all right then.
There are no Beautiful South songs in Heaton's solo set - the truth behind their split remains a mystery - but he has spiced it up from the last time I saw him solo with a welcome selection of Housemartins favourites, including a timeless Build, We're Not Deep, and a roof-raising Me & The Farmer. There's also a strong selection from his last solo album The Cross-Eyed Rambler - though nothing from its long-forgotten predecessor Fat Chance (by "Biscuit Boy") - and his typically acerbic new record Acid Country, which takes a while, but is a definite grower.
Never mind the lack of awards, Friday night was sold out and everyone at the Academy loved Paul Heaton. He knows it too, and is suitably appreciative, thanking us for our support over the years. Besides, a little bitterness becomes him - a more content man wouldn't ever write songs like this...
