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PLAYING OUT LOUD! Soweto Gospel Choir - Bournemouth
Pavilion, Bournemouth - Monday May 22. The choir has been touring internationally for four years now, to critical acclaim and sell-out concerts. In July last year, they finally returned home to debut their show "Voices From Heaven" at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre. Their performances were well received by audiences and critics alike, and the choir was exceptionally proud of such recognition by their own people. Soweto Gospel Choir has not been able to spend a great deal of time in their own country because of their touring commitments, but when they have, they've performed on several occasions in front their hero, former President Nelson Mandela. The choir are ambassadors for Mr Mandela's aids foundation 46664 and as such, they were invited to sing Happy Birthday to Madiba in July 2005 at the Ne lson Mandela Rugby Challenge, Australia vs South Africa, as part of a week of birthday celebrations for South Africa's greatest living statesman. As important to them, was their invitation to participate in Archbishop Desmond Tutu's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations where, with the popular Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society, they sang for the Tutu family and VIP guests from around the world at the Holy Cross Church in Soweto. The choir's next exciting venture was as guest artists for the "Unite For The
Stars" celebration in November 2005, where they backed Diana Ross and Christina
Aguielera, in support of two important South African charities, Unite Against
Hunger and Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund. Soweto Gospel Choir continues to
raise money for its charities Nkosi's Haven and Nkosi's Haven Vugani, having
raised over R1.3million (US$210,000) since their foundation's inception. This
money has helped numerous, struggling aids orphans organizations who are in
constant desperate need for just the basic necessities of life such as food,
school clothing, electricity and shelter. Soweto Gospel Choir is proud of its
talent, its belief in God and its joy of music and of life. The choir will be
touring for most of 2006, visiting new countries and cities, making new friends
and followers, and spreading its message of hope and passion throughout the
world. Arrogant Worms - Talking Heads,
Southampton - Saturday May 27. The Arrogant Worms came together in 1991 to do a few spots on campus radio in
Kingston, Ontario and quickly moved to doing spots on CBC Radio One. Folk music, ballads, countrymusic, Celtic folk and children's music all have
come under their satirical guns. When not spoofing a particular style of music,
the Worms' material pokes fun at various aspects of daily life in Canada with
songs like "Canada's Really Big", "The Last Saskatchewan Pirate", "Me Like
Hockey" and "Proud to Be Canadian".
Stacey Kent - Concorde Club, Eastleigh - Wednesday May
10. The twist of fate that steered Stacey's life towards jazz was a chance meeting in Oxford with saxophonist, Jim Tomlinson. Like Stacey, Jim was embarked on an academic path, but their meeting sparked in each other the desire to pursue their love of music together. After a year's study at the Guildhall School of Music, Stacey set about honing her skills on the London jazz scene in the company of, now husband, Jim Tomlinson. A demo tape, sent simultaneously to Polygram, Candid Records and broadcaster, Humphrey Lyttelton, secured her a role in Ian McKellen's "Richard III," a recording contract and national airplay and endorsement from Britain's most respected jazz broadcaster. Since the release of Stacey's first album, "Close Your Eyes" she has achieved, without compromise, both critical and popular success, with her fresh and heart-felt interpretations of the finest love songs of the 20th century. Her album, "In Love Again" a celebration of Richard Rodgers in his centennial year, which was launched in style with a sold-out performance at the South Bank's Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Stacey has some celebrity fans too: Clint Eastwood invited Stacey to sing at his
70th birthday party, Michael Parkinson invited her to sing on his television
show, as did Sir David Frost, who asked her to join him one Sunday morning in
January 2003, to sing a song and review the morning papers on "Breakfast with
Frost." And former Chancellor Of The Exchequer and jazz buff, Ken Clarke, has
included Stacey's tracks on his BBC Radio series.
Stacey is herself an avowed romantic, and the songs she sings are timeless
stories that touch young and old alike, fulfilling a desire for sophisticated
love songs that is not catered to by today's music industry. Her most recent
studio recording underlines this romanticism. “Jim Tomlinson, The Lyric” is the
most complete collaboration between Stacey and husband, Jim. On this album,
Jim's saxophone and Stacey's voice achieve a level of empathy only hinted at on
earlier recordings. As the New York Times', Stephen Holden put it, "Sometimes
the chemistry between musicians and the chemistry of love get all tangled up in
wonderful ways. When watching the jazz singer Stacey Kent make music with her
husband, the tenor saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, it is easy to imagine yourself
eavesdropping on intimate pillow talk by besotted partners in a luxury suite
atop some faraway pop-jazz Olympus." For more details on the Concorde gig ring
02380 613989.
Eliza Gilkyson - Havant Arts Centre, Havant - Friday
May 26. Eliza comes from a musical family - her father was a distinguished songwriter who wrote Harry Belafonte's "Marianne," Dean Martin's "Memories Are Made of This," and "Bare Necessities" for Disney's The Jungle Book. Her father had had a folk band in the 1950s called The Easy Riders Forties after a spell on the Armed Forces Radio Network as a folk singer during the 1940s. At the end of the 1940s he got a job in Hollywood writing songs for Disney B movies, hence Eliza’s early introduction into writing songs for movies mentioned earlier. Eliza was raised in Los Angeles with brother Tony, later to play with roots punkers X, and sister Nancy, a retired Warner Bros vice-president. Eliza admits that she is a real child of the 60s telling the Austin Chronicle: "I took a lot of acid and lived in a boxcar, thinking, yeah, someone's gonna come along and discover me here." She raised a son and daughter and left New Mexico for Austin in the early 80s. After dabbling in folk pop in Austin she went back to Los Angeles and then Taos with boyfriend/guitarist Mark Andes. In the autumn of 1997 Eliza returned to Central Texas just in time to play Austin City Limits and release the critically lauded album “Hard Times in Babylon.” Reunited with her producer and friend Mark Hallman on the Red House label, the two teamed again for “Lost and Found.” Later albums included “Redemption Road,” “Misfits,’ “Retrospecto,’ “Land Of Milk And Honey” and her latest one, “Paradise Hotel.” Eliza’s life has had its ups and downs with a series of broken relationships and marriages, but now in her fifties things are more settled, with her son Cisco playing in her band and daughter Delia living next door. Now living in South Austin with her beloved dog Harpo she also enjoys the pleasure of being a grandmother with two grandchildren. In fact her son Cisco Ryder will be playing percussion at the Havant gig. For ticket details ring 02392 736623.
Kent DuChaine. Forest Arts, New Milton-Saturday May 20
& Tower Arts Centre, Winchester-Tuesday May 23. Kent got an early introduction to music at the age of six when his father taught him how to play the ukelele. After getting his first electric guitar at the age of thirteen he and a few buddies formed a garage band in his hometown of Wayzata, Minnesota. They performed at school functions and private parties, mostly playing the popular music of the time. After reading the liner notes of an Eric Clapton album, DuChaine checked out a Robert Johnson album from the local library. He was so taken aback by Johnson's music he literally wore the album out listening to it. The music of the Mississippi Delta stole his heart and he immersed himself in the music of Johnson, Muddy Waters, Lightning Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Bukka White and Elmore James. Kent learned to play slide guitar in 1969, opening for slide guitar genius Bukka White a year later. From 1972 - 1975 he joined a band with Kim Wilson, of the present day Fabulous Thunderbirds. The band backed up blues greats including Boogie Woogie Red, Luther Tucker, and Humbert Sumlin. As the reputation of the band spread, legendary songwriter and performer Willie Dixon embraced them and arranged a recording contract and a concert sharing the bill with Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker, and Howlin’ Wolf. In 1979 Kent found his beloved "Leadbessie" - a beat-up 1934 National Steel Guitar kitted out with extra heavy strings to cope with his aggressive playing style. Deciding to go solo in 1982, he took "Leadbessie" on the road, finally settling in the southeastern United States to be closer to the roots of the music he loved. At the end of the 80s Kent met and established a partnership with legendary bluesman Johnny Shines, with whom he recorded “Back to the Country” with harmonica great Snooky Pryor. In 1991, the Smithsonian Institute honored the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson and Kent and Shines were among the privileged few invited to perform at the prestigious 25th annual Festival of American Folklife. The end result was the Grammy nominated album “Roots of Rhythm and Blues: A Tribute to the Robert Johnson Era” recorded by Sony/Columbia. DuChaine and Shines performed over 200 shows together travelling all over North America, during which time Kent also continued his solo career. Their relationship was cut short by Shines' death in April 1992. Kent, determined more than ever to spread the blues, began to perform in Europe and Scandinavia. He now has six albums under his belt, 44 plus tours overseas, and still manages to perform all over North America. He was honored by the London Times naming him "one of the five best concerts in the UK." When not thrilling music lovers with authentic Delta Blues, Urban Blues and his original music, Kent relax es at home in South Georgia with his wife, their son Miles, the cats, and Beau, the German Shepherd.
Kerfuffle - MayFest, Winchester - Saturday May 13.
Kerfuffle's sound is distinctive and instantly recognisable with their relative
youth lending an extra vibrancy to their performance whether live or recorded.
Their ability to hop from pacy tune sets to delicate traditional songs to slow
instrumentals and back again gives a refreshing variety to their live shows as
they demonstrated at Fareham. “Not to Scale “ was recorded by the renowned musician and producer Steafan Hannigan and drew the following accolade from David Kidman of Net Rhythms: "Not To Scale is still an extraordinarily fine début recording" and from Dai Woosnam of The Living Tradition: "...by any yardstick, this album succeeds triumphantly. A candidate for one of my top 5 albums of the year," “K2” was similarly well received with Debbie Koritsas of The Living Tradition enthusing: "They perform with a maturity, skill and exuberance that belie their tender years.... K2 is a great listen." Kerfuffle have supported such stellar acts as The John McCusker Band, Show of Hands and Nancy Kerr & James Fagan. The band’s increasing success has garnered much attention from the media; they featured on Mike Harding’s Radio 2 show as part of their appearance in the final of the Radio 2 Young Folk Award, “K2” has been played multiple times on BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction and Sam was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 7. This extensive national radio coverage is in addition to substantial interest from BBC local radio across the country including an interview for BBC Radio Derby, airplay on Radio Gloucestershire and a live session on Radio Shropshire. For venue and booking details for Winchester MayFest see www.winmayfest.co.uk
Brian Jonestown Massacre - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
- Saturday May 20. Named in tribute to the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist the late Brian Jones, and his influence in introducing Eastern culture and music into the world of Western rock and roll, the original lineup of lead singer and guitarist Anton, bassist Matt Hollywood, guitarist Dean Taylor, organist Mara Regal, accordionist Dawn Thomas, drummer Brian Glaze and Spokesman for the Revolution Joel Gion recorded the Massacre's 1995 shoegazer-influenced debut album “Methodrone.” A collection of early recordings, “Spacegirl and Other Favorites,” followed on the band's own Tangible label in early 1996, and was the first of four Brian Jonestown Massacre albums to appear that year. Next up was “Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request,” a full-blown homage to the Stones' glorious psychedelic-era excesses. Recorded live in the studio, the grittier “Take It From the Man!” found the band exploring even broader territory. Finally, the year ended with the release of “Thank God for Mental Illness,” a strong country and blues showcase. In 1997, the BJM -- now consisting of Newcombe, Hollywood, Gion, Taylor, guitarists Jeff Davies and Peter Hayes, and drummer Brad Artley -- resurfaced with “Give It Back!” Upon signing to TVT, they released “Strung Out Ln Heaven” the following year, but the band and Newcombe's eccentricities kept them from staying on the label. After a few scattered EPs, they resurfaced in 2001 with “Bravery Repetition and Noise,” distributed by Bomp. “And This Is Our Music” followed in 2003. Despite a continued lack of major distribution, the Brian Jonestown Massacre earned the largest profile of its career in 2004, when it became the unlikely focus of an award-winning documentary, “DIG!” which charted the trials of Newcombe and those of his rival, Courtney Taylor, leader of the Dandy Warhols. “We Are the Radio: The Mini Album followed in August 2005.” |
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Southampton's No 1 recording studio
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Since
its emergence in 2002 as an exciting musical talent, Soweto Gospel Choir, who
appear at Bournemouth Pavilion on Monday May 22, has achieved major success in
their home country of South Africa, and all over the world.
There’s
an exceptional double bill at Southampton’s Talking Heads venue on Saturday May
27 that links music and comedy. Appearing are The Arrogant Worms from Canada who
will be supported by Dorset’s own Bang Lassy, a couple of talented young ladies
whose satirical shows have been delighting audiences in Hampshire and Dorset
over the last couple of years.
Popular
jazz singer Stacey Kent returns to the Concorde Club in Eastleigh with her band
on Wednesday May 10. Since appearing on the jazz scene, Stacey has racked up
five best-selling albums and a string of awards, including the 2001 British Jazz
Award and 2002 BBC Jazz Award for Best Vocalist. She has also built up a fan
base that enables her to sell out concert halls around the world, as well as
becoming a presenter on BBC Radio 2 with "Big Band Special" and on BBC Radio 3,
with "Jazz Line Up."
American
singer-songwriter and guitarist Eliza Gilkyson, who appears at Havant Arts
Centre on Friday May 26 has a unique claim to fame. As a teenager she sang on
the soundtracks of two Walt Disney movies, “The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh” and
“The Legend of Dick Turpin.” But the songs Eliza is singing nowadays are
considerably different, and the result of her experiences, sometimes bitter
ones, over the last three decades.
American
bluesman Kent DuChaine and his beloved “Leadbessie” National Steel guitar will
be appearing at two Hampshire venues this month. Charismatic Kent will be toting
Leadbessie to Forest Arts, New Milton on Saturday May 20 and Tower Arts Centre
in Winchester on Tuesday May 23.
Fresh
young folk band Kerfuffle who impressed at the recent Gosport and Fareham Easter
Festival make an appearance at Winchester MayFest on Saturday May 13.
The
Brian Jonestown Massacre from California have had about forty different members
since forming in San Francisco in1990, but their mainstay has been the
ever-present Anton Newcombe, who will front the band when they play the
Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth on Saturday May 20.
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