Gig review: The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger

Broadcast, Glasgow

***

Sean Lennon, son of John and Yoko, is an anomaly in that regard. Solo albums such as Friendly Fire (2006) have indicated that he’s more than happy to embrace his musical heritage. And why not? If anyone has the right to blatantly ape the signature sound of John Lennon, it’s his doppelgänger second son.

His latest project, The Ghost of A Saber Tooth Tiger, is a heavily psychedelic band formed alongside his girlfriend, the musician and model Charlotte Kemp Muhl. Merrily indebted to the acid-munching explorations of Lennon Sr and Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd (they closed with a crunching cover of Barrett’s Long Gone), they’re a tribute act in all but cumbersome name.

That sounds like an insult, but Lennon and Muhl are so brazenly in tune with 1960s British psychedelia, it’s actually quite charming.

Even master parodist Neil Innes of The Rutles renown would marvel at the bouncy, Sgt Pepper-style accuracy of Poor Paul Getty and its aquatically filtered ilk.

On garrulous form throughout, Lennon was obviously thrilled to be performing in a tiny, packed venue, entirely free from mainstream pressure.

Instead of coming across as rich hipsters slumming it for kicks, Lennon and Muhl were in their element.

Dad would be flattered and proud.

Seen on 02.09.14