Big Word - Edinburgh's Number One Live Poetry Spot: under review by Craig Duffy

Gig Review: Edinburgh's 'Big Word' Live Poetry

Thursday 22nd February 2007

What started out as a quiet night of Poetry recital immediately became something bigger, as Jenny Lindsay took the stage to kick off Big Word in its new home at City Café, Blair St., Edinburgh. As seats were filled, leaving standing room only, Robin Cairns launched into an energetic set. Erudite but always in his native Glasgow tongue, this wit of performance poetry danced as he thrilled the audience with frenetic movement and big-brained insight.

Although a hard act to follow, Thick Richards (1 half thereof at least) were more than up to the task. Taking an educated Scally look at the world with rapid fire technique that’s been wowing folk all over the country, and splitting sides with such humorous arguments as to “why weed should not be legal”. These guys hit the right note with the crowd.

American Poet Jennifer Williams took the mic after the break, with a voice of pure Americana honey and poetry of such imagery that one relaxed into hazy smiles. I looked; the room was full of them!

A surprise floor-spot from newcomer Rachel Wylie with a Clause 22-inspired poem of a teacher asking her class to draw “a family picture within government guidelines” had the gathering in creases and local songster Jim MacAteer was definitely the right choice to warm the heart before the varied crowd were treated to the verbal vortex that is Ash Dickinson.

Another treat of the night was a performance from the Scottish Poetry Slam Team, consisting of Milton Balgonie, Stephen Barnaby and Jenny Lindsay. (And yes, we beat the English and Irish at something with these three in the recent national competition.) With a really strong showing from Milton Balgonie, who my friend thought; “Was trying to be the next Burns in the City Café, and succeeding!”

All interlocked with poems by the maestro herself, who can be one minute funny, then touching, before reaching a sodden condemnation, Jenny Lindsay did not disappoint.

If you thought poetry was a dry topic reserved for books and lonely wanderers, then Big Word in Edinburgh is just the medicine to prove you wrong.

Craig Duffy

Please note change of venue for the next Big Word:

Next Big Word night is Thursday 22nd March, 8-8:30pm, downstairs at Jazz Bar on Chambers Street, Edinburgh. £4/£3