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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
ARTICLES
Jackie Leven - The Tower Arts Centre,
Winchester - Friday March 9.
 One
of the UK’s finest but most underrated singer-songwriters Jackie Leven returns
to The Tower Arts Centre in Winchester on Friday March 9.
Born in 1950 into a Romany (Roma) family, Jackie spent his childhood and teenage
years clearly marked out as an outsider in the clannish, insular world that was
Fife, Scotland at that time. Although Scottish himself, neither of his parents
were from the area - his father was an Irish Cockney, his mother was from a
large Northumberland (Geordie) family, and adapting to existing cultural norms
was a hard, if not formidable task for such incomers.
This seems to have formed the start of an independence of mind in the young
Leven, hopelessly wayward at school (although outstanding at English and essay
writing), with few friends, and those mostly considered 'oddball'. His
attendance at school was woeful, but those truanting times spent alone in glens
and hills and by rivers still form the basis of his songs' imagery to this day.
Things started to change in his early teens. His mother, unusually for the time
and the place, was a lover of American black blues music, and although Jackie
was used to coming in the door from school to the strains of 'I got the blues in
the bottle, but the stopcork in my hand' by Lightnin' Hopkins, it was a source
of fascination to school friends whose own homes resonated to the sound of
“Wooden Heart” by Elvis Presley.
Soon he was playing in local bands but also playing his own blues songs in local
folk clubs, such as the Elbow Room in Kirkcaldy, where he was encouraged by
stalwarts of the scene like Archie Fisher and Hamish Imlach, and passing singers
like Doris Henderson, with whom he played a few shows as guitarist. However,
such activity also brought him to the attention of local gangs, one in
particular starting a baseless vendetta against him, and he was duly obliged to
leave Fife, and indeed Scotland.
This precipitated years of rootless wandering, sleeping rough, living hand to
mouth, including a four month stint living in corners of the South Bank Centre,
London, where he busked for a living. This was during the late sixties when
there was much less of the (relatively) ready acceptance of street musicians
that now exists in the capital. He also lived variously in County Kerry,
Ireland, Berlin and Madrid, where he had a record released, “Control” (1971) By
John St Field (his stage name of the time) - now considered to be a psychedelic
underground classic. He started to live in squatted accommodation in different
locations in the UK where he began to encounter people with real and sometimes
serious mental illness and psychic disorder.
These experiences began to inform his songwriting, and this can be clearly seen
in the often disturbing imagery in the songs which make up the first two albums
by his daunting rock band Doll By Doll, whose other members - Joe Shaw, David
MacIntosh and Robin Spreafico he met in this environment.
Doll By Doll (1978 - 1982), a controversial live act at odds with the cartoon
violence of punk, made five critically acclaimed (or loathed) albums (one
unreleased, all not available on WEA) before accepting they just weren't meant
for those times, and regretfully going their separate ways.
After a late night recording session for a solo album due for release by
Charisma/Virgin (1983) Jackie was the subject of an unprovoked street attack
during which he, along with other injuries, was nearly murdered by
strangulation. Unable to speak or sing, he lost his record deal, friends and
way, entering his own period of psychic disorder, taking heroin (the classic
drug of despair) and living in isolation for nearly a year.
He re-joined the world in 1985 after a successful course of traditional Chinese
five-element acupuncture and psychic healing, and co-founded The CORE trust -
'an holistic approach to addiction'. To this day the Trust operates a centre in
central London, working with people with all forms of addiction. Jackie has been
their manager, chair of trustees, and is presently the patron, having at one
time enjoyed a good working relationship with the late Princess of Wales, who
took a strong interest in the Trust.
Shortly after this Jackie went to live in Oban on the west coast of Scotland. He
spent the nights in bars with fishermen and forester friends, and the days
writing the songs that became the basis of his return to music with the
acclaimed Cooking Vinyl release “The Mystery Of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery
Of Death”. Since then he has released a string of excellent Cooking Vinyl albums
the latest of which, “Elegy For Johnny Cash” takes a unique and candid look at
last journeys, and the people who make them.
Martyn Joseph - The Brook, Southampton
- Tuesday March 13.
 Singer-songwriter
Martyn Joseph who returns to The Brook in Southampton for a gig on Tuesday March
13, is a man who wears his heart and his conscience on his sleeve. A committed
Christian, thankfully he does not preach, but he does put over his values in his
songs in an uncompromising manner.
Originally hailing from Penarth in Wales, Martyn reached the charts with his
1992 single “Dolphins Make Me Cry.” He found more mainstream acclaim with , the
Sony singles “Working Mother” and “Please Sir.” But Martyn parted company with
Sony in 1995 which freed him from worry about chart success. Later albums “Full
Colour Black And White,” “Tangled Souls” and “Far From Silent” won him critical
acclaim and an increased fan base.
Now releasing music on his own Pipe Records label, Martyn finally now has the
creative control and total artistic freedom to do as he pleases. He says this is
his preferred way of working: "The major advantage is complete control and
creative freedom: if I write ten songs next week and like them, I'm not
dependent on Robbie William's diary or Madonna's film schedule for when it gets
released. I can just put them out myself, there is this audience of people who
want them."
Martyn originally won the deal with Sony after building a loyal audience from
hard work on the gig circuit. Well used to playing 200 performances a year, his
self-financed live album “An Aching And A Longing” sold 30,000 copies.
Released in November 2003, Martyn's album “Whoever It Was That Brought Me H ere
Will Have To Take Me Home” continued the styles he has developed over the years.
"Really what I do is try and write songs that might make a difference," says
Martyn of his work. His 2005 LP “Deep Blue”was in a similar vein, forsaking
studio trickery and massed overdubs in favour of a live, intimate sound.
Hailed by occasional writing partner Tom Robinson as "one of the most
charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today", his songs often use
lyrical narrative forms to speak to his audience on subjects ranging from social
injustice to the joys and pains of love. In this he follows a line of social
commentators in song ranging from Woody Guthrie to Bruce Springsteen.
Rachelle van Zanten - Railway Inn,
Winchester - Wednesday March 14.
 Canadian
singer-songwriter Rachelle van Zanten returns to Winchester’s Railway Inn this
month, following a successful gig there last year. You can see her on Wednesday
March 14; support comes from Owen Tromans & Ben Watling.
Raised in the foothills of northern British Columbia, Rachelle grew up playing
bluegrass and old time country with her family. She spent the majority of her
preteens singing to Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Sr., and Johnny
Cash recordings. By age 13 she was well schooled in piano, drums and trumpet but
wanting to be modish with the 90's rock movement, took up guitar.
In the autumn of 1995 Rachelle took her talents to the city of Edmonton,
Alberta. After a year of university studies and varsity basketball, Rachelle
joined forces with Daisy Blue Groff, Carolyn Fortowsky, and Kim Gryba to form
the renowned Canadian rock quartet, Painting Daisies. Simultaneously she heard
the inimitable slide guitar stylings of Lester Quitzau and immediately began to
develop her own slide guitar technique. Over a span of 11 years, the group
recorded 4 rock albums in between touring Iceland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, 36
States of America, and 7 provinces of Canada. While co-fronting the band,
Painting Daisies won "Entertainers of the Year" for the 2001 Prairie Music
Awards beating out Jann Arden, Nickleback, and Wide Mouth Mason. In 2003, van
Zanten's penned, "Walking Home Lately", was the song that led to winning top
prize in CBC's "Great Canadian Music Dream" competition, over 4000 acts. The
prize of a one-hour television special aired December 30th, 2003 featuring
special guest Randy Bachman.
In 2005 the band performed their final show in September leaving Rachelle with
the opportunity to craft a solo recording and tour her new material. "Back to
Francois" was recorded that same year with Island Music Awards, Producer of the
Year, Joby Baker. 'Back to Francois' is a "fresh and rootsy debut album. It is
contemporary, bright & optimistic whilst retaining its origins in the core
values of North American music." (Mick Glossop, UK Producer). As a solo
performer, Rachelle and her slide guitar are gracing the international stages
alongside such greats as Sylvia Tyson, Colin Linden, Sonny Rhodes, and Alison
Brown.
She is now touring through Europe, Canada, and the United States in support of
this new recording, and as an active member of the music community van Zanten is
the producer of Western Canada's music camp for young women, Rocker Girl Camp.
Black Umfolosi - Salisbury Arts Centre,
Salisbury - Saturday March 17.
 Members
of the world famous a cappella and dance group from Zimbabwe, Black Umfolosi,
celebrate their 25th birthday in 2007. They want to share their
celebrations with their audiences worldwide and will be performing special shows
featuring highlights from their shows over their history. They play a gig in the
South of England at Salisbury Arts Centre on Saturday March 17.
The Rough Guide to Zimbabwe said of their performance – “Their songs, sung in
close, rich harmony, address general human concerns – love, family, spirit – as
well as contemporary problems. Their music is fresh and surprising using
intricate rhythms, unusual harmonies and interspersed clicking, clapping and
shouting, which combine to produce a natural funky and rugged aura. The group
are much loved around the world, offering their sweet sounds of acapella with
their marvellous harmonies and gospel singing, as well as their captivating
dancing including the gumboot dancing of South Africa. Black Umfolosi deliver
their performance with fun and joyful enthusiasm. This bare-torsoed, hard-hatted
group, never fail to captivate their audience and encourage them on to the stage
to join in the performance.” Anyone who has seen them in concert or at festivals
like the Larmer Tree Festival will testify to that!
"There is no doubt that anyone interested in the shimmering vocal harmonies and
compulsive rhythms which characterise Southern African vocal harmony groups,
will be mesmerised by Black Umfolosi" - Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
"This show has a feel good factor with a capital F..." The Yorkshire Post
"...extraordinary exuberant dancers...stunning, colourful and one hundred and
one percent engaging..." The Scotsman
Sarah Jane Morris - The Lights, Andover
- Friday March 23.
 Famed
for her huge hit “Don't Leave Me This Way” with the Communards in the mid-80s,
powerful singer-songwriter and passionate performer Sarah Jane Morris makes an
appearance at The Lights in Andover on Friday March 23.
Straddling soul, jazz, blues and rock some hear Sarah Vaughan or Billie Holiday
in her voice. Others compare her to Macy Gray and Erykah Badu, but Morris
herself likes to describe her sound as "Nina Simone meets Janis Joplin". She has
released eight solo albums in 25-year career and is currently celebrating it
with the album “After All These Years,” featuring originals and creative covers,
and illustrious collaborators including Tom Waits guitarist Marc Ribot.
Sarah Jane Morris is most famous for duetting on the Communards’ gender-swapping
“ Don’t Leave Me This Way”” but also caused a stir with the Radio 1-banned
remake of the Billy Paul classic “Me and Mrs Jones.”
Due to her eccentric father’s fluctuating finances, Sarah Jane had a nomadic
childhood, moving 20 times. At one stage, aged 12, she was driving around in a
bubble car and was being picked up from school in a helicopter, even though
receivers regularly came to the family home to take furniture away. She trained
as an actress, attending the Central School of Speech and Drama with comedy duo
French and Saunders, actor Rupert Everett and film star Kristen Scott-Thomas. In
the early 80s Sarah Jane and her then-partner decorated a new building in
Piccadilly Circus named The Trocadero, which led to an interior decorating job
at Maxims. One of her first backing vocal jobs was on the Eurythmics’ album
“Into the Garden.” She married musician David Coulter (of The Pogues) in August
1992. She is also an accomplished actress and has won acclaim for stage, film
and TV work. Her songs have appeared on TV (Cracker, The Men’s Room, Summer in
the Suburbs, The Ship, The Mermaid and Expectingand has contributed to film
scores have included Al’s Lads.
Her voice, a seismic four octave instrument, spans the entire soprano and
baritone ranges, soaring way above High C and plunging down to an eerie sounding
bottom F. She has had major success in Japan, Germany, Italu and Greece where
she has enjoyed two No 1 hits. Concert highlights have included a Swing Ladies
concert with Chaka Khan and Monserrat Caballe, a performance in front of 10,000
fans in Athens, the Red Wedge Tour, amphitheatres in Italy and the What Women
Want concert with Sinead O’Connor and Chrissie Hynde. Sarah Jane sold out a
week’s residency at Ronnie Scott’s for six consecutive years.
Walter Trout - Mr Kyps, Poole -
Wednesday March 21.
 “People
ask me if they should call my music blues or rock, I tell them they can call it
‘Fred’ if they must have a label.” That’s what beefy US guitarist, who appears
at Mr Kyps music venue on Wednesday March 21, says about his music style.
That remark, along with the exclamation that “the blues shouldn’t be a museum…
the music ought to constantly expand and be alive,” have been expressed again
and again by Walter Trout during his 35+ year career. Born in 1951 and raised in
a music-loving home in Ocean City, New Jersey, Walter Trout felt the calling to
music at a young age. His first instrument was trumpet, playing in the school
band. A chance meeting with the mighty Duke Ellington catapulted Trout’s pursuit
of a professional music career – what Walter terms “a turning point” in his life
– when Walter’s mother orchestrated a meeting with jazz legends Ellington, Cat
Anderson, Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves for the youngster’s tenth birthday.
The seed was planted about a career playing music.
In the mid-1960’s Trout’s instrument of choice switched to electric guitar after
hearing an album which was to change his whole appreciation of music. The Paul
Butterfield Blues Band featuring Mike Bloomfield cemented Walter’s musical
ambitions towards the blues genre and the electric guitar. Walter promised
himself to learn this musical language and dedicate his life to the guitar. For
hours, days, weeks, months he was locked in his bedroom practicing until his
fingers bled - the obsession unfortunately turning the A-student into a high
school dropout. As a shy teenager growing up in a turbulent household, his
singular solace became his rapidly developing ability to express his feelings
playing the guitar and his vision of becoming a professional musician.
In his late teens and early twenties, Trout played in numerous New Jersey bands,
competing at the time for rank with “Steel Mill” featuring a young Bruce
Springsteen. In 1973, he packed up his belongings in a VW Beetle and drove
cross-country to the west coast, arriving in Los Angeles with only a few changes
of clothes, a trumpet, a mandolin and his guitars.
He developed into an ace sideman, befriending and backing California blues
artists, often being the only “white boy” in the black neighborhood clubs. His
technique accelerated rapidly as he played with Finis Tasby, Pee Wee Crayton,
Lowell Fulsom, and Percy Mayfield, among others. The extremely meager pay was
compensated by the satisfaction musical expression brought the young musician.
Unfortunatley he was also developing the detrimental habits of drug and alcohol
abuse shared by many fellow artists. Walter often teamed with Hammond B3 wizard
Deacon Jones and the apprenticeship continued in the bands of John Lee Hooker,
Big Mama Thorton and Joe Tex.
By 1981, Trout’s reputation led to the invitation to join venerable blues rock
band Canned Heat, with whom he played until 1984. When the call came to join the
legendary John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Trout jumped and found himself sharing
the spotlight with fellow guitarist Coco Montoya. Trout and Montoya lifted the
band to a new level, as the Bluesbreakers enjoyed unprecedented album sales and
high profile tours in the US and abroad. Walter felt that playing with Mayall
was as close to his childhood dream as he could get.
At the same time Walter’s unhealthy habits reached a fever pitch; the band’s
rider required a nightly bottle of Jack Daniel’s for Trout’s consumption. An
epiphany came when the band was in East Berlin, doing shows along side of Carlos
Santana. After seeing Walter playing in an intoxicated state, Carlos took him
aside, and in a heartfelt conversation related that Trout was squandering the
gift that God had given him. It was a turning point in Walter’s life, as a
master musician and idol confided an appreciation of the young man’s talent and
concerns of his self-destruction…. In fairly short order Walter Trout quit drugs
and alcohol.
As Trout became clean, he felt he had more to give than a few blazing solos as a
side man with the Bluesbreakers. A Danish record label and touring agency was
already interested in his solo potential, after witnessing an inspired
performance, when Walter led the Bluesbreakers band while Mayall was out with
illness. Walter did much soul searching and decided it was time to go solo. He
gathered musicians he knew from Los Angeles and called it The Walter Trout Band.
The 1989 break with Mayall quickly segued into immediate extensive touring of
Europe, playing large venues and music festivals, and his music was heard on
mainstream radio. In the early 1990s Walter had several radio hits in Europe and
charted with his unique style of blues rock. Throughout the decade, he continued
a non-stop touring pace, releasing 8 recordings, steadily each lifting his
profile higher.
His commercial and critical success in Europe kept him so busy outside of the US
that his arrival back home found him only resting to go back to the frantic pace
his popularity demanded overseas. Like many American blues and roots-music
artists, Walter Trout had developed an incredible following in Europe, but came
home to little fanfare. This was fine with Trout, as he now had started a family
and his down time was a valuable escape from the world of touring and playing.
Amazingly, the self-titled WALTER TROUT, released by Ruf Records in 1998 was his
first “official” domestic CD. Shortly after, the band renamed as Walter Trout
and The Free Radicals and began an extensive touring pace state side, steadily
building a fan base and bringing their high energy, impassioned live
performances back home. It did not matter if he was on stage in front of 50,000
people, or performing in a small club for a couple hundred – what mattered to
Walter was reaching people’s hearts through his artistry and relaying the
passion he had for all the musical styles which helped shape his sound.
Since then Ruf Records has released half a dozen CDs in the US and Walter
effectively continued his frequent touring, splitting time more evenly between
continents. His European fans have stuck with him as he has taken more time to
build his fan base in America.
Walter plays with his Power Trio at Mr Kyps with support coming from the great
Larry Miller.
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Featured artists:
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Jackie Leven
The Tower Arts Centre,
Winchester
Friday March 9
Martyn Joseph
The Brook, Southampton Tuesday March 13
Rachelle van Zanten Railway Inn, Winchester
Wednesday March 14
Black Umfolosi Salisbury Arts
Salisbury
Saturday March 17
Sarah Jane Morris The Lights,
Andover
Friday March 23
Walter Trout
Mr Kyps,
Poole
Wednesday March 21 |
Southampton's No 1 recording studio
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