BLONDIE.
THE BIC, BOURNEMOUTH 5/6/04

The BIC was filling up and the atmosphere was building in a venue two-thirds full of 40-somethings waiting to relive their youth. And when Debbie Harry arrived on stage looking good with her slim build and trademark short-but-stylish hairstyle and trademark dark glasses, the nostalgic crowd gave her a big welcome.
Opening with “Atomic,” Debbie’s voice seemed a little shaky, but the loyal crowd responded well. As she belted out the familiar songs “Dreaming,” “Hanging on the Telephone” and “Maria” that distinctive voice was still there, but maybe not quite as strong as before. Her energy and determination to hold the crowd soon paid off as she began to relax, and the crowd responded well, joining in and clapping along to their favourite songs. But the less familiar songs were not quite so well accepted and at times Debbie’s voice was a bit weak, sometimes a little overpowered by her band.
Lots of dancing and hip-swinging by Debbie brought the crowd alive on “The Tide is High,” even though this version seemed slightly fast. Continuing with “One Way or Another,” “Picture This” and “Always Touched by Your Presence Dear” Debbie gave everyone the chance to be twenty again, and the crowd loved every minute of it. A brilliant backing band helped Debbie enormously; she may not be as energetic as she used to be, but she achieved what she came to do and didn’t disappoint her fans. My only real criticism was the lack of rapport with the audience between each song - Debbie entertained us, but somehow we did not get to know her.
Encoring with “Union City Blues” and “Call Me” the whole audience were on their feet for the final crowd favourite “Heart of Glass” to send everyone home happy dreaming of a time not so long ago when life may have seemed just a little easier!
(Guest review by Bev Wakefield. Photo copyright of Claire Edwards)

Kissmet.
Talking Heads, Southampton.

THEY were dancing to the music of a different drum at The Heads when Kissmet played a set - three different drums to be accurate. The six-piece
Anglo-Asian band incorporated traditional drums, tabla and dhol in their line-up and the result was a driving percussive sound.
Some songs were sung in Hindi, others in English, but the range of Kissmet’s material was global. The lead singer behind the keyboards shared vocals with the dhol drummer on songs ranging from Bhangra rock to ballads to soul-funk.
Particularly impressive was the plea for racial tolerance “Clean Up The
Neighbourhood” sung in English rap-style with a Hindi chorus, which accelerated like an express train building to a terrific climax. A great set by some great musicians, including a female bass player who got in the groove and stayed there.
Kissmet are one of many great crossover bands and are bound to be a great hit on the festival scene - they play the Larmer Tree Festival in July.

Peter Bruntnell & James Walbourne.
The Railway Inn, Winchester.

SAT on the floor about three feet from the artists may not be the ideal
vantage point to review a gig, but when you are watching two artists of the calibre of Peter and James, it’s OK. Peter’s brand of alt country music is one of the best kept secrets on the music scene, and his mellow voice and well-crafted songs were perfectly embellished by master of the Telecaster, James Walbourne.
From the opening chords of “Here Come The Swells” the packed Railway audience knew they were in for a treat, with Peter’s smooth, unforced vocals and the intelligent lyrics of songs like “You Won’t Find Me” and “Something I Lost” providing a totally engrossing musical experience. The apparently ego-less Peter lets his songs do the talking and his simple acoustic guitar was complemented nicely by the very varied and intense style produced by James who proved the perfect foil to illuminate witty and articulate songs like crowd favourite “By The Time My Head Gets To Phoenix.” Thanks to Oliver Gray and friends for continuing to bring class acts to The Railway.