About three quarters of the way through this concert, James Yorkston steps away from the piano and picks up a more familiar instrument: the acoustic guitar. He explains the ‘conceit’ of the band he’s sharing a stage with, as The Second Hand Orchestra members all play an instrument other than their ‘primary’ one. This gives a looseness and spontaneity to their playing which can swallow up Yorkston’s simple melodies but on other occasions elevates them through a joyous cacophony.

Yorkston is joined onstage by The Cardigans singer Nina Persson, who has a commanding presence that often overshadows the sometime sombre songwriter. For the first portion, it all feels a bit off-balance, and it is not until Yorkston moves to guitar that things pick up steam. He suddenly seems much more comfortable in the songs and this energy appear to rattle through everyone. Although the songs certainly come across as items from Yorkston’s songbook, Persson’s vocals add an untold depth to them. It will be hard to imagine numbers such as ‘Choices’, ‘Like Wide Rivers’ or ‘Test The Beams’ without her delicate yet emotional range.

The Second Hand Orchestra insert elements such as an almost out-of-control sax on ‘The Heavy Lyric Police’, thundering guitar on ‘Peter Paulo Van Der Heyden’ or a violin that pushes the slightly syrupy ‘Hold Out For Love’ into something earthy and elemental.  The band seem to be having a blast and it’s hard to deny that this energy ripples through the audience. Ultimately though, it does feel like an act that is still waiting to fully click together.  

Reviewed at Summerhall, Edinburgh; The Great White Sea Eagle is out now on Domino.