Paolo Nutini - These Streets

What the fuck was Paolo Nutini doing at a David Sneddon concert? Which is where he was 'discovered' - given the opportunity to clamber on stage and fill some time in front of a baying crowd of Fame Academy fans while Sneddon, rock God-like, was trying to find his way to the venue (come to think of it, what was anyone doing there?). Or maybe that's an urban myth I'm helping to perpetuate via the interweb. Anyway, These Streets. It shows a lot of promise, could well be Marvin Gaye having rough sex with Terence Trent D'arby (indeed, Loving You is Let's Get It On) and much is in the silky smooth singer songwritery style of the hit Last Request: a combination of gravelly soul, shuffling rhythm and haunting lyrics. It avoids - just, I should hastily add - heading into James Blunt territory, bordering this side of the best bits (ie, not the kiddies film soundtrack) of Jack Johnson. Nutini has the voice of a 50-year-old, which jars a tad with his indie haircut and youthful good looks, but, aesthetics aside, he is certainly an adept songwriter. So, in the interests of credibility, let's hope he doesn't stray anywhere near David Sneddon territory in the future. Which, if I were giving Paolo notes, would certainly mean no more songs about new shoes, please. As they say on the adverts, if you like the similarly-sounding modern day classic that is Ray LaMontagne's Trouble, you'll simply lurv Paolo Nutini.