LAST WEEK IN LONDON: The Boys Are Back In Town
- Posted on April 7, 2008 4:38 PM
- 1 comment
Last Week in London
By Peter Coulston
Hello and welcome to another live week in the nation’s capital. I started late this week, Wednesday to be exact, and it was not a good start. Have you ever noticed that, when doors are supposed to open at 7.30pm, you are still standing out in the rain at 8.15pm? Have you also noticed that you are invariably standing around listening to loud recorded music at 9.00pm when the start time of the show was 8.00pm? I was at the Half Moon, Putney on Wednesday and, in all the years that I have been going to that venue, I have never seen an artist on stage before 8.30pm, despite me always arriving by 8.00pm. How come then, on the one night that I have parking problems and arrive at 8.20pm, the first band is half way through its set. Just one of the many frustrations that I had to endure that evening.
The band in question was Carmelite, a band that I had never heard of and was unable to trace on the internet. So what were they like? Pretty good from what I heard, although the audience were already building up a wall of sound from their obviously crucial conversations which proved to be a major irritant for the entire evening. The singer/guitarist was very sound and the songs were impressive, with “Behind The Lines” standing out. The six string bass player was exceptional, despite looking around 12 years old, and his rendition of part of the guitar solo from Lynnard Skynnyrd’s “Free Bird” on the last number was brilliant.
They were followed by Adam Levy, a Folk Rock singer from New York, during who’s set the audience displayed a degree of rudeness that would put even the Troubadour to shame. The venue itself must take some blame for not investing in a compere who could adequately introduce the artists and shame the audience into something resembling respect for the artists. He sounded OK, but most of his set was drowned out by the self absorbed music tourists who talk loudly all through the set and then cheer and applaud songs that they have not even heard. Enough said; next time, pay your money and go back in the bar to talk so that the rest of us can enjoy the show.
Despite over 90% of the people saying that they came to hear the headline act, The Martin Harley Band, half of them talked during his set also. I am a great fan of slide guitar, and Martin Harley is a virtuoso of that craft. He opened with his new single, “One For The Road”, an upbeat country tune with his slide sounding like a pedal steel. Some nice acoustic folk followed and the some slide driven blues including a rocky “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”. He moved in and out of folk and blues, the latter switching from up tempo to slow, and also gave us some excellent country swing on “1,000 Miles Of Sky” and “Money Don’t Matter”. He ended with the rocky “”Can’t Help Moving On”, but was forced back to encore with another upbeat blues followed by “Voodoo Child”, each leaving in no doubt that he is a slide guitar master. He is the business, so check out his MySpace.
Zaid Joseph’s Zarathustras nights at The 12 Bar Club on Denmark Street in Soho are always entertaining and the show on Thursday was no exception. This event happens on the first Thursday of very month and should not be missed; although last night was a sell out so you may have trouble getting in, which means book early. The evening opens with acoustic acts, followed by bands until nearly 1am. The gaps between the acts are filled by Charlie Lancaster, a Rock and Blues piano player who can also do boogie woogie and jazz with the best of them. He sings his own material as well and, last night, played a request for me which was “Mississipi”, one of my favourite Bob Dylan songs from the Love and Theft album.
The show opened with Will Miles, an Acoustic Folk Blues singer songwriter with a lot of Dylan influence with some Oasis for good measure. Good songs well sung and performed, but I have little more information about him and Will is not very forthcoming. Katie Maddocks doesn’t do much for herself in the way of self promotion either, but she writes very good songs and makes them live with her delicate vocals. Mostly they are about unrequited love and “Mr Friendly” and “Whenever You Hold Me” stood out. The acoustic part of the show ended with Feldspar, and let me begin by apologising to these lads for referring to them as Feldstar when I reviewed their last outing at this very venue last November. The fact is they are stars, and even more so now that they have added cello and soprano sax to the original duo. These guys are in the finals of the acoustic section of the Indie Awards and I wish them every success as their songs are great and the vocals spot on. They did many old favourites and “Can’t Be Alone Tonight” was one of many great ones. Door One opened the band section of the night and what a band they are. Unashamed solid rock from this five piece with sound songs, strong vocals and a lead guitarist who is relentless in making full use of his Gibson Les Paul. They are playing a free gig at The Babalou in Brixton, one of Zaid’s other venues, and I recommend that you go along and listen to them. I am unfortunately pre-booked that night, but would not miss it if I were free.
I have known and followed Rajko for some time and met him originally at another Zarathustras event. He has recently been involved in the TV reality show “Last Man Standing” and will be interviewed on “Loose Women” the day after this gig as a result of that show. Rajko, what are you like? I never get invited to talk to any loose women. All I meet is tight men who usually work for the government and want money from me. Anyway, welcome back to the world of music. This guy writes and performs beautiful songs that are so accessible that, given the exposure that he has already had, must bring him the success he deserves. Backed by his and one other guitar and some fine cello he gave us classy songs like “Please, Please”, “Sink Or Swim” and “Déjà Vu” while finishing with some medieval jazz rock. Mark my words, he will be big.
What better way to close the night than some tight urban rock/ska from Mr Smith & The B Flat Band. I saw these guys (and girl) at 93 Feet East some time last year and enjoyed their set a lot. Full of souf London (Croydon, actually) front and armed with great songs about dodgy relationships and bent cabbies (know what I mean) it all makes for an entertaining set. “Jackie Love” and “Them Two Girls” were good examples and the brother and sister act up front work off each other well with solid tunes that get you dancing. Nice stuff guys, and yes, Scarlett Rose, I still think you sound like Barbara Windsor, but I still like you.
When I said that the boys are back in town I meant, of course, The Beach Boys, those surfin’ smoothies from southern California (or what’s left of them) who played the Hammersmith Apollo to a packed house on Friday. With Carl and Dennis Wilson no longer with us and Brian and Al doing their own thing I prepared myself for the 2008 incarnation, with only Mike Love and Bruce Johnston looking familiar. Imagine my surprise to discover that David Marks was up front with the other two oldies. In case you are not up on your Beach Boys history, David Marks was in one of the very earliest versions of this group with the two older Wilson brothers and Mike Love and can be seen on the cover of some very rare early recordings. He famously disappeared early on and was replaced by Al Jardine, after having originally been his replacement when Al went back to finish college. Well, he’s back now playing some fine surf guitar and hitting the harmonies.
The show opened on time at 7.30pm and caught the mood of the audience with the opening number, “Do It Again”. They then moved into early sixties surf mode with a selection of songs dating back to when Mike Love still had hair. There was “Surfin’ USA”, “Surf City”, “Surfin’ Safari”; you name it, they surfed it. David Marks did a rather shaky version of Dennis Wilson’s “Forever” before they all moved on to some songs from the post “Pet Sounds” era when the band could do no wrong. “Darling”, “And Then I Kissed Her”, (She’s Not) the Little Girl I Once Knew” and “I Can Hear Music” blended in with ballads like “Surfer Girl” and “Warmth Of The Sun” and other material that I was not familiar with. You see, I’m not one of these sados who knows every Beach Boys song by heart; now Bob Dylan, that’s another matter. Anyway, the first set ended with a the roar of engines; “Little Deuce Coup”,”409”, “Shut Down” and “I Get Around” reminded us that they didn’t only sing about surfin'. However, just as a reminder, the second set opened with “California Girls” and another surprise.
You know that disappearing Beach Boy that I told you about; well, wouldn’t you know it, he disappeared again. There was no David Marks. I wonder if he knows where Lord Lucan is? The other guys seemed to manage OK without him, hitting a couple of covers just to show us that they can. “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” became theirs and “California Dreaming” made you do just that. Next up, things became very nautical with “Sloop John B” and “Sail On Sailor” before the very vocally testing Four Freshman section which included “In My Room”. Needless to say, with the help of the new additions to the band, they passed with A grades. Mike Love then took us on a mystical journey with three of his new songs dedicated to the recently deceased Maharishi, which were beautifully crafted and enjoyable because there was no reason to compare them to anything. Bruce Johnston gave us “Disney Girls” and “God Only Knows” before the surf came in again with “Barbara Ann”, “Cotton Fields” and “Help Me Rhonda”. At this point, David Marks returned to the fold. He’s just like the Prime Minister, never around when the going gets tough but back in time for the encore. There was one encore, which had to be “Good Vibrations” but included “Fun, Fun, Fun”, because that’s what this concert was.
Now, the question you must be asking is, what were they like? For the most part, the harmonies were spot on, but, while the high notes were there, the bass lines seemed to be lacking a bit. Mike Love is a great host and it is obvious that he and Bruce Johnston see the band as much more than just music, more a way of life. Well, I had a good time and the packed house certainly did. So, let’s do it again soon, before David Marks disappears again. So, it was quite a week, and, all in all, a good one. Looking forward to the next one? I am, so stay safe and well, keep gigging and I’ll see you real soon.
Related Links
Carmelite - MySpace
Adam Levy - MySpace
Martine Harley Band MySpace
Felspar MySpace
Buy Beach Boys tickets
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Comments (1)
Katie Maddocks
Hi Peter,
I just realised that you reviewed me back in April at the 12bar! Thank you.
I'm playing there again tomorrow, 2nd Oct, if you're about.
Many many thanks for paying such attention that you remembered song titles! I'm planning a proper studio recording for my ep, this winter, so watch this space.
All the best,
Katie Maddocks
Posted on October 2, 2008 2:30 AM
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