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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
REVIEWS
Gig Reviews -
CD Reviews
Gig Reviews
(top)
Shawn Jones, Talking Heads, Southampton
- 19/5/05.
 A
chance meeting with singer-songwriter Shawn from California earlier in the day
led to me changing my schedule to catch his act at the Heads. And I’m glad I
did. His act was sandwiched between sets by two bands, Brown and Murmur.
Openers Brown were a hard act to follow - they are a very punchy soul outfit
with a very intense singer on keyboards, and they are obviously going places.
But Shawn was a revelation - a left handed guitarist with a soulful voice who
put his all into his time on stage.
Many of the songs in his set came from his album “”All In Good Time” which I
will be reviewing next month on this website. Songs like “Love’s Gonna Find a
Way,” “Long Goodbyes” and the title track. An accomplished guitarist,
Shawn also produced a belting version of Hendrix anthem “Voodoo Chile” and
impressed throughout. Whether playing slide or finger picking he sang with
emotional intensity and power, and came over as a very sincere guy with firm
beliefs. Obviously a perfectionist, with the help of excellent soundman Shaggy
he ironed out a few sound problems early on and gave 150% commitment in his
varied, compelling set.
His rootsy, bluesy act closed with a touching song dedicated to his late father,
“My Best Friend.” Shawn assured me he would soon be back in the UK for another
tour, and I urge you to see him if you get the chance - he’s something special.
Tony Hadley/Martin Fry, Mayflower
Theatre, Southampton - 6/5/05
 As
this was the last night of a fun tour of 63 days and 74 performances you knew
that this was not going to be a “straightforward” gig. Keeping to the tradition
of “last night” concerts the band were not going to let the evening go without a
few antics and mickey-taking.
The evening began with a 9-piece band including two drummers that has become
Tony’s trademark. We had the absolute pleasure of seeing John Keeble, the
original drummer with Spandau Ballet, and Richard Brookes who has accompanied
Tony on all his tours. I have to give credit to the rest of the band, but also a
special mention for the three gentlemen in the brass section who kept us
entertained with their dancing and moves. Who needs gorgeous backing women when
we had the pleasure of these handsome men, who not only entertained with their
musical ability but could also dance. I would happily have paid just to watch
them.
As Martin opened with “Up, Up and Away” I was happy to hear that his voice had
not changed over the years. He still had his ABC sex appeal from the 80s and
sent the women screaming as they rose from their seats to dance. Then
Tony came on to do his solo bit starting with Spandau Ballet’s biggest hit
“True.” Accompanying him was John Keeble who also got a huge response from the
audience. “Through The Barricades” followed - thunderous applause welcomed a
song which Tony described as “the best song we ever did by far.” Then both John
and Richard drummed in sinc to “Always On My Mind” where they both produced a
perfect performance which had the audience in awe. Martin soon appeared again to
sing the ABC hit “Poison Arrow” before jazzing up the tempo with the 1966 hit
“Wives And Lovers” which worked surprisingly well.
A small break and then both Tony and Martin delighted the audience to duet on
“She’s Gone.” To finish off the evening Martin sang “All Of My Heart” and “When
Smokey Sings” then Tony sang “Instinction” and “Gold” and the final
song “Suffragette City.” All in all a great night of songs from the 60s onwards
and all the familiar hits from the ABC and Spandau Ballet days. Filled with
jokes and antics that left the audience laughing to the spontaneous fun. What an
evening for their debut at the Mayflower! Review by Claire
Edwards/Photo copyright Claire Edwards.
Sam Brown, The Brook, Southampton -
19/4/05.
 Opening
with two of her best songs, “Breathe” and “Listen,” the quirky Sam was on top
form in a 90-minute set. For most of her solo show the soulful Sam was seated
at her keyboards, but she also took up the ukelele and bass guitar for several
songs. Never less than engaging, Sam has a very unstarry approach to her act,
complaining about her ill-fitting knickers at one point, and stopping for a very
unladylike belch in the middle of “I’ll Be Her For You” (“I don’t do that every
night by the way,” she quipped).
For such a seemingly cheerful individual, Sam has many sad songs in her set,
notably “One Candle,” “Letting Go” and “I Forgive You” and it’s obvious that her
mother’s death from cancer some years still affects her deeply. But
she can change the mood in a moment, whether belting out the Betty Wright song
”Time Bomb” or getting downright dirty and bluesy on “Electric Chair.” A
captivating performer who achieves an intimate rapport with her audience, Sam
was as irresistible as ever, but as she admitted, it’s about time she made a new
album!
Glitterati, Hurricane Party & The Black
Velvets, The Joiners, Southampton - 20/04/05
 So
the headliners and only band on the line up I had heard of had been and gone by
the time I found the tiny venue that is the Joiners in Southampton. As I walked
in, a hoard of leather-clad, mulleted northerners sauntered out.
And that was the Glitterati. And next for something completely different – the
lights dimmed, the smoke bellowed out and you could taste the tension in the
air. The band, Hurricane Party, reeked of Bon Jovi, The Darkness and every other
rock cliché in existence. But it was fun. Energetic, sweaty rock a la Spinal
Tap. The audience seemed to be waiting expectantly for a mini Stonehenge to
complement the flying V. The drummer did things with drumsticks I never thought
possible – he must have been a majorette in a past life! The frantic
head-banging and frequent tongue-poking made for a entertaining set and the
song’s weren’t all that bad.
The third headliners, The Black Velvets, played an equally energetic set. With
the influx of MOR music for all the family (think Keane, think Coldplay) it’s
really refreshing to hear the loud passion from the north. Vines fans would not
have been disappointed by the Merseyside four piece, but perhaps more tellingly,
neither would Stereophonics fans. The recent single ‘3345’, drove the crowd wild
but perhaps not wild enough to take up lead singer, Paul Gautrey’s offer for an
after show encounter! Guest reviews by Laura Williams
Eddi Reader, Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
-19/04/05.
 Eddi
Reader graced the stage of the Wedgewood Rooms with a set of Robert Burns
inspired songs about drinking, love and masturbation – "don’t tell your
Mammies!" said Eddi. It was a far cry from the days of practising guitar in a
wardrobe as a child, though the intimacy and sincerity was ever-present. It’s
been 17 years since Eddi Reader’s biggest hit with the band Fairground
Attraction – it’s got to be ‘Perfect’. Watching carefully, among the quaint
Scottish country dancing, were brief displays of her signature hip swinging from
the ‘Perfect’ video. Eddi opened with ‘Simple Soul’ then went on to showcase a
set of Burns’ songs – mostly inspired by drinking! Before most songs Eddi would
encourage everyone to sing along to a chorus of ‘Green Grow the Rushes O’er’ and
‘Jamie Come Tae Mae’, "because you’ve all got posh voices down here!" But no-one
could rival the softness and tone of Eddi’s voice and authentic accent, although
it didn’t stop people trying.
The highlight of the set was the simple yet beautiful ‘Ontario’ a recent song
written by Boo Herwedine. Devoted fans love this song and the rapturous applause
turned into a crowd jig - there’s something you don’t see at the Wedgewood Rooms
every day.
And something you don’t hear often either – a song dedicated to John Major,
though I do recall Drugstore dedicating a song to General Pinochet back in 1998
here.
So despite Scottish dancing, a Scottish lullaby, seven musicians including an
accordian, flute, violin and mandolin player and double bassist - who looked
just like Bono – many left disappointed with the thought that there is no
immediate album release. But as Eddi said: "We’ll hopefully have another album
by the end of summer, so we’ll probably come down here and bring it wi us".
Support came from fellow Scot, Karine Polwart whos tones echoed those of Dolores
O’Riordan from Cranberries. Close your eyes and you could have easily been in
bonny Scotland, laying peacefully by the loch to the soundtrack of an
Eva Cassidy-esque simplicity, with nothing but a broken heart. Sombre yet
beautiful. Guest reviews by Laura Williams
CD Reviews
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CD SINGLES SPECIAL BY “SOPHIE”
GARBAGE, Sex Is Not The Enemy, A&E Records
A hard-hitting single with a rumbling bass, it will knock you off your feet and
make you listen. The song takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and rebels
against them: “I won’t feel guilty no matter what they’re telling me” reacts
against the strong media influence that dominates our lives today, signifying a
time where we almost know too much. Shirley Manson conveys how we are all
feeling with passion.
T RAUMSCHMIERE, Sick Like Me, Mute Records
An energetic fast-moving track that stops abruptly as it starts, bringing chaos
and disorder, and leaving you wanting more. Reminiscent of punk music, the
singer shouts his way through a steady riff with passion. It uses electronics to
bring the song up to date and give it a firm place in contemporary music.
THE SUBWAY, Rock & Roll Queen, Infectious Records
A zesty, high-spirited track, it will get you moving at all the summer
festivals. Full of emotion and life, the song jumps into actioon and confronts
rock and roll head-on.
A, Better Off With Him,London Records
‘A’ has hit the spot with an infectious tune which incorporates electronics to
make their point that you are “better off with him.” When the bass kicks in it’s
so powerful in its demeanour that you enjoy listening to the song which has fun
while putting its statement across.
RAY LAMONTAGNE, Forever My Friend, Echo Label
A light and softly spoken single where the rhythm complements the mood of the
song and the lyrics help you unwind. Perfect for when you want to take a rest
from the pressures of everyday life by relaxing outdoors.
KEVIN MARK TRAIL, Last Night, EMI Records
Like The Streets’ work the song tells the story of last night: “last night I had
one too many, a drunken fool, losing you” is the chorus which many can relate
to. It’s quirky in its combination of ragga, R&B and garage, which makes
it easy to listen to. It becomes a pleasure too through Kevin’s vocals which are
so tender they melt your heart and touch your soul.
OASIS, Layla, Big Brother Recordings
Oasis are back, and don’t we know it, with a track that is a classic any diehard
fans will relish. However, the catchy chorus will open up the eyes and ears of
anybody who is not a fan, giving the band a whole new audience.
AMBERSHADES, My Darling, Jack & Danny Records
A happy-go-lucky track evoking summer days through its cheeky melody which is as
delicious as strawberries and cream. It’s fun-packed through its use of harmony
and rich vocals. A great soundtrack for the summer.
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Featured artists:
see POL Articles
Vic Chesnutt
The Brook, Southampton
Monday May 16
Courtney Pine Newbury Corn Exchange
Saturday May 28
Rufus Wainwright Poole Lighthouse Sunday May 15
Donovan
Portsmouth Guildhall Wednesday May 11
The Bellydance Superstars and The Desert Roses
The Anvil Basingstoke
Friday
May 20 and Bournemouth Pavilion Saturday May 28
Marieanne Faithfull Salisbury Festival Saturday June 11
Rebecca Carrington Various gigs throughout the Month
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