LAST WEEK IN LONDON
- Posted on October 29, 2007 3:46 PM
- 2 comments
Soho, Sheep and Shepherds Bush
By Peter Coulston
Hello and welcome to another week on the music scene in London. I began my quest for the best in our great city this week on Monday at the Electroacoustic Club at the Slaughtered Lamb pub near Barbican. One reason for going there was that I hadn’t been there for a while and was suffering withdrawal symptoms. The other was that I wanted to follow my article and Katie’s interview last week with coverage of a live set by Matt Costa. Unfortunately, he cancelled very late and was replaced at short notice. Fortunately, the replacements were excellent and I shall now tell you all about them.
Five Minute Pop Promo opened with an acoustic set from two guitars and three voices. Great harmonies and good songs from these guys, mostly upbeat and good fun. “Take It Away From Me” was darker but songs like “Wake Up Donna” and “Boss Lover” kept the punters amused. Good potential there, and they are on myspace, as are all the artists tonight. Jono McCleary opened with a Rufus Wainwright number and then moved on to his own, rather intense, material. It is hard to define and harder to see as commercial, but, having said that, he certainly pleased me and the audience. Give him a listen, but be prepared to concentrate. There is something very English about Robin Grey and his band, but the tunes are very melodic and accessible. He has a great voice, which seemed out of character on the song with the chorus line “F**k You”, and a distinctive sound which is enhanced further by his excellent backing group.
When Hugh Coltman opened with “Motherless Children” accompanied only by his own harmonica, I expected a blues set. Instead, Hugh and his band gave us some brilliant material covering jazz, gospel, calypso/ska and just plain good acoustic songs. Based in Paris, they provided the song “Good Eyes” for the film “Le Candidat” which can be heard on myspace along with “Greener Than Blue” and others. His incredible vocal range does justice to the fine material. He closed with the Al Green/Stevie Wonder inspired “Slow Moving Traffic”. A good start to the week at a nice venue, which is downstairs and has such comfortable furniture that one punter fell asleep during Robin Grey’s set, due mostly to the consumption of much wine rather than Robin’s material. Take the Hammersmith and City or Circle to Barbican if you fancy a visit; they are open most nights.
On Wednesday I was lucky enough to be present at one of the two showcases by Tom Baxter promoted by Curious Generation at the Soho Review Bar. Located in Walker’s Court, off Brewer Street, it is in the heart of Soho surrounded by adult cinemas, sex shops and dodgy bookshops. The club itself is palatial compared to some of the rock dives that I visit, with flock wallpaper, huge chandeliers and chrome and glass tables. The nearest tube is Piccadilly Circus on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, but, depending on where you live, you may find it easier to use Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly) or Tottenham Court Road (Northern and Central), which are both close. Just make sure you go to the correct review bar in Walker Court, the other one is altogether different (so I’m told). The show opened with an acoustic set from Tom’s sister, Vashti, a very talented singer songwriter who pleased us no end with classy material that you can hear on her myspace. Apparently, their parents were folk singer/songwriters in their day; how can you have so much talent in one family? Tom Baxter is another singer with an incredible vocal range which, when combined with good material and the ability to build each song up to a climactic finish, left the audience begging for more. He can rock on songs like “Tragic” and “The Last Shot”, but I was personally mesmerised by the intensity of ballads like “A Day In Verona”, Half A Man”, “Hot Wax To A Stone”, “Almost There” and “My Decoration”. His band is well worth a mention, particularly the keys and the bass, who did wonders on some of Vashti’s songs also. How I have never heard this guy before I don’t know, maybe I don’t get out enough. Anyway, well done Curious Generation for another good night.
Thursday found me on more familiar ground at The Troubadour in Earl’s Court, which has a rather more electric night on Thursdays to balance my acoustic intake at the beginning of the week. This venue is near West Brompton and Earls Court tubes and the parking is good providing you are early and there is nothing mega on at the Exhibition Centre. The show opened with Dawn Kinnard, a singer/songwriter from Pennsylvania with a delicate voice and a great way with lyrics. “Fortuneteller” and “All In Your Head” were great and can be heard on myspace. The other songs included ballads, jazzy blues and a sort of French influence at times, all enhanced by her keyboard player who made good use of the organ function, which we hear too little of these days. A very nice set, so check her out; she is on itunes and Kensaltown Records.
By contrast, Ben Mark has a very British, urban sound with his strong vocal and guitar skills and well crafted songs. “The Wagon”, “A New String To Pull” and “Fixer Upper” were all excellent with help from his drummer, and can all be heard on myspace. Very much in vogue at the moment so look out for him. Royal Treatment Plant are a tight as you like Indie/Punkrock band fronted by PP on guitar and vocals with DJ on bass and vocals, Sam on guitar, Tommy on keys and Chris on drums. PP has real stage presence and her red and white Fender is not just for show. The rest of the band do their stuff real well and all the songs are well constructed including “You Don’t Need Me” and “Carry Me”, which are on myspace. Great ending with “Trained”, which sent us home smiling.
You thought it was all over, and so did I, until I was invited to listen to David Ford and his band at the Shepherds Bush Empire as a guest of Live Nation Promotions. The venue is a beautiful old building dating back to the days of music hall, and it is fun to imagine how it must have been back then, with no mikes and amps and people dressed in their finest clothes to enjoy an evening of popular entertainers of the day. It is good to know that it is still being put to good use in these very different times. I drove there and found on street parking very easily, but you can use the tube to one of the two stations, taking either the Central or Hammersmith and City Lines. The show was opened by Jakob Golden, who I unfortunately missed due to traffic and a minor delay on arrival. I caught most of Ruarri Joseph’s set, and he sounded good and kept the audience on his side. He did his happy songs such as “More Rock ‘n Roll”, and finished with an unaccompanied “Tales Of Grime And Grit”, which earned him a rousing cheer. David Ford opened his short but brilliant set with “I’m Alright Now” from his latest album, “Songs For The Road”, and never looked back. He moved easily between albums, and between guitar and keys as well as some harmonica and electronic wizardry that never ceases to amaze me. His backing group were equally versatile with the guitarist, violinist and backing singer all taking turns on keyboards. The violinist also played trombone, the mandolin player helped out on percussion, and the bass player added a little peddle steel. The saxophonist and drummer pretty well kept themselves to themselves, but I guess somebody had to. I loved the ballads from the new album, such as “: And So You Fell”, the country influenced “Train” and the title track. “Requiem” is beautifully political and some of the older tracks rocked. He is also a master of that technique which I mentioned briefly last week whereby you play or sing something once and then it is repeated until you switch it off. It allows for incredible multilayering with only one person on stage. He used it on “State Of The Union” and for the encore closer “Go To Hell”, both times to great effect. For someone like me who throws a tantrum if the television is left on standby, this is the ultimate in high technology, but he makes it look so easy. So, another very full and enjoyable week is over, and I hope that yours was as good as mine. See you next week.
Comments (2)
John Clinebell
Sounds like I missed out on some killer shows. I wish you could buy season tickets to the Troubadour. That's my favorite venue in town...
Posted on October 29, 2007 10:24 PM
Simon Stacpoole
David Ford was unbelievably brilliant at that gig. It was my girlfriend's first time seeing him, and she cried twice at his music...
Posted on October 30, 2007 10:10 PM
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