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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
REVIEWS
Gig Reviews -
CD Reviews
Coming Soon. Updated throughout the month.
Gig Reviews
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ETHAN DANIEL DAVIDSON BAND, TALKING
HEADS, SOUTHAMPTON - 16/4/2005.
 It’s
always great when you go to a gig thinking “this looks interesting” and then
have your expectations surpassed tenfold. This was one such occasion.
Ethan is the modern equivalent of the 60s protest singer - politically charged
lyrics, caustic, punkish delivery - a natural successor to Guthrie and Dylan, in
fact. I couldn’t take in the cascade of poetic lyrics, but there was a strong
anti-war message running through songs like “Ring Them Bells” and “Hard Times
for Ishmael and Abraham.” Ethan held the audiences’ attention from the minute he
stepped on stage, and what a great band he’s assembled. Playing rhythm guitar
himself, his bass guitarist, lead guitarist, drummer and keyboard player were
all first class.
It wasn’t all serious political stuff though - witness “I Can’t Drink You
Pretty,” a delicious slice of political incorrectness which recalled the raucous
humour of early Dr Hook songs. I continue to be amazed by the number of bands
out there playing brilliant original music and probably just living on the
breadline. Ethan incidentally is an American now living in a shack in Alaska,
but he’s rarely there - he’s out on the road playing around 200 gigs a year and
delighting audiences like the lucky people who saw this gig. I was certainly
glad I went and will be investigating his back catalogue of five albums from
which most of his setlist came. If you like Americana, blues, country and
just sheer good music, you can hear some soundbites of Ethan’s work on
www.ethandanieldavidson.com . A great band who deserve a wider audience.
THE CHRISTIANS, THE BROOK, SOUTHAMPTON - 17/4/05
 Were you there on Sunday night? At The Brook? What a night! The Christians
played The Brook on their first full band tour together for ten years - and they
were in the mood. The main men Gary Christian and Henry Priestman were back
together again with only brother Russell Christian missing.
Garry Christian must surely have one of the sweetest soul voices in the
business, and we were treated to its’ full repertoire from a cappella to
glorious harmonies with Henry and the band.
We got all the greats, Forgotten Town, Words, Ideal World, Greenbach Drive and
many, many more. One of the big moments was when they sang Smokey Robinson’s
Harvest For The World. Spine tingling or what! Interspaced with the hits we were
teased with tracks from the new album "Prodigal Sons", and very good it is too.
The encore finally arrived and the band finished with Hoovervill". Marvellous,
but how can they leave us just like that?! But being at The Brook the entire
band came frontstage to meet their fans afterwards. Weren’t you there?
Guest
reviewer Steve Bristow. Photo Copyright Steve Bristow.
Manic Street Preachers. Southampton
Guildhall - 3/4/05.
 Following
a good support slot by Delays, there was a long wait for the appearance of the
Manic Street Preachers. And when they did finally arrive on stage there was a
bit of an anti-climax - drummer Sean Moore had forgotten his drumsticks and had
to go back to the dressing room for them. But James, Nicky and Sean were soon in
action with the frontmen pogoing up and down and getting the crowd going on
songs like “You Stole The Sun From My Heart” and some newer songs from their
latest album “Lifeblood.”
The sell-out crowd lapped it up as Nicky paced around the stage dressed in a
long leopard-print jacket and James belted out the lyrics to a well-balanced
setlist. The audience seemed to appreciate the older, anthemic songs like
“Motorcycle Emptiness” and gave a big ovation to the acoustic “Everlasting.”
It was the first date of the Manics’ 12-date tour, and if they never really hit
the heights, they certainly pleased the crowd who roared the trio on throughout.
Photo copyright Claire Edwards.
GOSPORT & FAREHAM EASTER FESTIVAL -
24/3/05 - 28/3/05
 The
14th Easter festival centred on Fareham’s Ashcroft Arts Centre and Ferneham Hall
came and went and as usual the quality of performance was high. But as regular
festival- goers will know, this event organised by Peter Chegwyn is not just
about what’s happening on stage. It’s a time to meet up with old friends and
fellow music lovers, ejoy a drink or two and join in a spontaneous music session
in the bar. Similar sessions took place at the nearby Lysses Hotel and at The
Clarence Tavern in Gosport throughout the festival.
Having seen most of the headline acts like Show of Hands and Oysterband before,
I opted to see some of the lesser known acts in Ferneham Hall over the two
weekend afternoons. Just arrived in time to catch the end of young Martha
Tilston’s act on Saturday. The young singer and guitarist impressed both vocally
and instrumentally and I am looking forward to catching her full act at the
Larmer Tree Festival in July. Ffynnon were another act that I had not seen
before. The Welsh four-piece were led by vocalist Lynne Denman who also
helpfully explained the lyrics as most of the songs were in Welsh. She was
joined by multi-instrumentalist Stacey Blythe for a spirited rendering, sung in
French, about sexual self-amusement - unfortunately I didn’t understand a word
of it! Another band that the audience really appreciated, with Emma Trend on
fiddle and Matthew Lovett on bass adding to an enthralling act.
 I
nearly missed the act I most wanted to see on the Sunday afternoon, as nobody
had reminded me to put my watch forward an hour. So Broderick had been on stage
for around a quarter of an hour before I stumbled in. Broderick have developed
into quite an act in the two or three years since I had last seen them. Don,
Claire, Rick, Colm and Luke are all exceptional musicians in their own right but
in Broderick they come together with a rare synergy. They performed with a joy
and spontaneity that just swept you along, whether playing traditional Irish
jigs and reels or their own material. I particularly liked the piece, “Midnight
Stallion” which highlighted the violin skills of Claire Garrard and Colm Murphy.
The audience loved them too, calling them back for a spirited encore.
A difficult act to follow, and I was not impressed with Country Joe McDonald, a
man with a rather nasal voice, and a nasal guitar sound, if that’s possible. The
American “legend” opened with a song about how he was here to entertain us and
insisted the audience all clapped along, before singing a rather boring song
about Florence Nightingale. At this point I made my way to the bar to be
entertained by a cluster of amateur musicians.
Irish singer Eleanor McEvoy who was to follow Country Joe had been delayed by
fog at Dublin Airport so maybe I’m being a bit hard on Joe in my disappointment,
as twice before I’ve been thwarted in my attempts to catch her act. But the
general feeling regarding the whole festival according to people I chatted with
was very positive, and organiser Peter Chegwyn will now put his organising
talents into Eastleigh Summer Festival before planning next year’s Easter
Festival.
BANG LASSY, THE DOLPHIN, ST DENYS,
SOUTHAMPTON - 31/3/05.
 If
you haven’t caught up with this young female music and comedy duo, I urge you to
do so at the earliest opportunity. Bang Lassy are Jo Egan on vocals and Karen
Smith on keyboards and backing vocals, and they provided a great evening’s
entertainment at the friendly Dolphin pub.
They came on dressed as nuns for a full frontal vocal assault on the dangers of
listening to Daniel O’Donnell’s music (?) and a variety of wigs and costumes
were donned over the next ninety minutes in their satirical act.
 Knitted
doll toilet roll covers, Celine Dion, Marilyn Manson, Sarah Brightman and
Agnetha of Abba were among their targets. The pair from Southbourne have been on
the local music scene for the last couple of years and their act is a breath of
fresh air - there are too few humorous musical acts around, and this duo who
have been described as “Hinge and Bracket on acid” have the talent to take their
act out of the pub and small venue scene and play on bigger stages.
That’s if they want to - there’s nothing wrong with playing in pubs where the
relaxed atmosphere and proximity of the audience add to the spontaneity of their
act.
Musically, they’re spot on too - Jo’s got a great voice and is a talented mimic,
while Karen’s an accomplished keyboard player. I particularly liked their song
about geriatric sex where they dressed up as a pair of old ladies, and the bit
with the demented ventriloquists dummy (see photo). I’d only intended to pop in
and catch the first part of their act, but ended up staying until very close to
the end. They’re at the Dolphin on the last Thursday of each month I believe and
I will certainly be returning to catch this highly amusing and entertaining pair
again.
MERRILL OSMOND, THE ANVIL, BASINGSTOKE
- 29/3/05.
 Just
occasionally I divert from my usual self-indulgent policy of reviewing gigs that
I want to see and go to a concert I DON’T want to see. I am not a fan of The
Osmonds and never will be, but it’s sometimes interesting to observe a
phenomenon in a detached kind of way. The rest of the audience at this gig were
not detached - the mainly female throng were up for this one from the minute
Merrill and his band came on stage to belt out the up-temp “Down By The Lazy
River.”
Many rushed up to the stage to get as near as possible to their idol who was
dressed in a shiny charcoal grey suit with purple silk inlays. Also in the band
was Merrill’s older brother Wayne who injected a note of humour into the
proceedings and sang a few songs himself including “Friends Are Friends
Forever.” I vaguely recognised some of the songs like “Having A Party” and “Love
Me For a Reason”, but the rest of the audience seemed to be word-perfect and
sang along all evening in an orgy of nostalgia.
Audience contact seems to be a big thing with Merrill who leant over and shook
hands with his fans at the front, cuddled several women on stage while he sang,
before he went walkabouts in the audience. He appeared to have a genuine rapport
with his fans and when he resumed his place on stage and said “you’re so
wonderful - I love you all”, I think he really meant it. I have to admit Merrill
still has a strong voice and came over as a genuine and likeable guy and that he
and his musicians really put on a good show, but I remain unconverted. But it
was an interesting experience for me and his loyal fans, who obviously are still
dedicated thirty years later. And always a pleasure to see a show at The Anvil -
a great venue with friendly, helpful staff, good sound and a warm atmosphere.
Photo copyright Claire Edwards
CD Reviews
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BILLY IDOL. DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND.
 SANCTUARY - SANPR339.
Running time: 54:25
I don’t know what Billy Idol has been doing for the last decade but this will
delight his fans who have been waiting ten years for some new Billy Idol
music. It gets off to a roaring start on “Super Overdrive” and “World Comin’
Down” and the standard is high throughout. Although I could have done without
the Christmas song “Yellin’ At The Christmas Tree”. But the idol voice is
in good shape as he growls his way through “Plastic Jesus” and “Scream”, two
great tracks. I don’t know who the musicians are as the promo copy I received
has no sleeve notes, but there are some great guitar riffs and some meaty
drumming. Shades of Nick Cave on “Evil Eye” then a complete change of pace on
the country jogalong “Lady Do Or Die” which is more typical of the late Johnny
Cash. The closing tracks “Cherie” and “Summer Running” feature acoustic
guitar and have a folky feel. So - apart from the dreaded Christmas song, an
excellent, very varied album.
DENNIS LOCORRIERE. ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.
 TRACK RECORD TRA 1052.
Running time: 55:33
I’m a big fan of Dennis Locorriere and have been from the minute I heard
“Sylvia’s Mother”. Dennis has come a long way since the Dr Hook days and is now
resident on the South Coast of England, and turning into a very individual
singer-songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote all but one of the songs on this fine
album, which kicks off with a great song, “The Truth.” Personally, I could
listen to Dennis singing the telephone directory - he’s got the richest,
warmest, most flexible voice on the music scene, and he is never less than
engaging.
There are one or two songs on this album that sound just a bit like fillers
to me, but this is more than made up for by the rest of the tracks. My own
particular favourites are “If You Had a Heart” and “If All It Takes Is Time”
which sound like hit singles to me, and of course “Hearts Like Yours & Mine”
which was one of the last singles made with Dr Hook and gets a new arrangement
here. Whether singing romantic ballads, soul, rock or country-tinged songs
Dennis is on top form. The man is out on the road at the moment to promote the
album - buy it now and see him in concert at the nearest venue to you - you
won’t be disappointed!
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Featured artists:
see POL Articles
Sinnerboy
The Brook, Southampton Wednesday April 6
Jacqui Dankworth Winter Gardens, Ventnor IOW
Friday April 8
Rocky Athas
Mr Kyps, Poole Thursday April 21
Eddi Reader Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth Tuesday April 19
Rebecca Carrington Various gigs throughout the Month
Ethan Daniel Davidson
Talking Heads, Southampton Saturday April 16
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