Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby @ The Donkey, Leicester: 22nd November 2008 Although no strangers to the City this unlikely pairing have had difficulty settling to Leicester’s smaller rock venues until tonight. From the outset Eric compares The Donkey favourably with some of his earlier experiences hereabouts, particularly at The Shed, where he was so discouraged by the soundman that took himself off home without even gracing the stage. If he short-changed local punters on that occasion, however, he and Amy make up for it now with a set exceeding two hours in all drawn from their respective solo catalogues as well as their recently released collaboration for the re-launched Stiff label. Both are given to a certain quirkiness as songwriters and performers, making it tempting to dismiss them as loveable eccentrics; but to do so would overlook the bashful imperiousness and rough-edged artistry of their finely crafted material, and the passionate intensity of their delivery. Much of the sixty-strong audience has come to hear the “hits”, and they’re not disappointed. “Whole Wide World” sounds particularly fine as a duet, while “Take the Cash” and “Hit and Miss Judy” have both matured well with age. But the real nuggets actually lie elsewhere: in Eric’s lesser known songs, (where he steps back from being the missing link between Elvis Costello and Ian Dury and applies his screeching brake vocals to something closer to Peter Hamill); in the too few numbers from Amy’s earlier albums; and especially in new offerings such as “Here Comes My Ship” and “Another Drive-In Saturday” where they prove themselves to be much more than the sum of their parts. As an act they’re engaging and hard-working, striking a fine balance between humour and passion, and earn their enthusiastic applause. At the end they sign CD’s with “We Love Leicester”, which seems a fair exchange, and a recognition that we’re all on speaking terms again. Neil B. Next