Glenn Tilbrook is a busy fella
these days; when he’s not
playing solo acoustic shows,
he can be found at the helm
of his own group The Fluffers
or rolling back the years with
Squeeze. Somewhere in that
hectic schedule, he’s
managed to make his bow
with a third band.
The Co-Operative is
essentially Tilbrook saddling
up with South London R&B
warhorses Nine Below Zero,
Squeeze’s labelmates at
A&M back in the 80s. Zero
frontman Dennis Greaves
handles lead vocals for the
catchy blues-pop of A Little
Understanding and Because
– all choppy guitars and
rasping harmonica – while
the tracks with Glenn on
vocals lean more towards the
misfit pocket portraits of his
most celebrated day job
(Chat Line Larry).
It’s all good fun, no one
taking themselves too
seriously and, while the
original songs are solidly
constructed, it’s the three
cover versions on which the
band really take flight. The
Beatles’ You Never Give Me Your Money and Johnny
Paycheck’s country stroller
Satin Sheets mark The
Co-Operative out as the most
accomplished bar band on the
block, while Tilbrook’s plaintive
voice is perfect for Randy
Crawford’s One Day I’ll Fly
Away.
