LAST WEEK IN LONDON: Anywhere But Hackney.
- Posted on September 12, 2008 5:13 PM
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Last Week In London
Anywhere But Hackney
By Peter Coulston
Hello again, and here we are in the wonderful world of live music in the capital, with lots going on at a venue near you. Straying no further east than Soho, I managed to catch some fine music and make some new friends while touching base with more familiar folk. On Tuesday, The Troubadour in Earls Court had been invaded by those nice promotion people, Curious Generation, who once again put on an array of talent that ensured a full house. To open, Jens Carelius, a blues/folk/acoustic performer from Norway filled in as the advertised artist was unwell. He’s been touring the UK with Jackie Leven and this was his last gig before returning home, which was lucky for us as he was very good. Influenced by English folk and American 1930’s blues, he was quite dark in a Leonard Cohen sort of way with Bert Jansch edged guitar. He has a rather distinctive vocal and guitar style, which you can hear on “Summer Skin” and “Sonja”, both available to sample on www.myspace.com/jenscarelius, where you can also buy albums. For a complete change, there is always Lealea Jones, an exceptional vocalist who has shared the stage with Beyonce and Amy Winehouse among others, and she is only 21years old. Her songs are funky/jazzy with a strong urban feel that reflects her roots in Hackney. “Oh My” is played on Radio One and “Home” is an incredible homage to her London home borough, a place that I am unable to feel affection for since they towed my car away. Nevertheless, it is a good song as are most of her originals; and if you get bored with them she does covers of Amy Winehouse songs and throws in bits of “Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Englishman in New York” for good measure. A very polished performer with a tight band, who can all be found on www.myspace.com/lealeajones. I’m always on the lookout for artists that are hard to pin down, and you can certainly say that for Cosmo Jarvis. The overall sound and purpose of this three piece is urban, but in a variety of forms. The songs have brilliant lyrics that catch you unawares and, musically, they embrace folk, rap, ska and a bit of Balkan, under an umbrella of indie pop. “Maxine” and “Sort Yourself Out” are on www.myspace.com/cosmojarvis and they are worth a listen. The last time that I saw Van Tramp was at this venue in May, when they did a set in their usual format of a five piece Indie/Rock band, but, this time, only singer Tim and guitarist Patrick were available to provide an acoustic set. On that occasion, I likened them to the Faces, and while there was still a bit of Rod in Tim’s vocals, this set really showed his range and showcased Patrick’s song writing talents. “The Garden”, “Help Me Make It” and “Hope & Pray” are all solid rock ballads with strong lyrics and can be heard on www.myspace.com/vantramp; and, the band are regulars at the Troubadour when Curious Generation are promoting.
My next venue of the week was The Big Secret at Ginglik in Shepherds Bush on Wednesday, and, before I move on to the music, I must tell you the bad news that the venue is being threatened with closure. The building is leased to the club by the local council, who are apparently unable to renew the lease next year unless certain structural improvements are made, at a cost of £300,000. Needless to say, the council is not willing to fork out such a sum and the future of the club is not looking good. However, we are a long way from defeat at the moment and I will be involved in a campaign to keep Ginglik open and will keep you all advised of any developments. There is a protest meeting taking place outside the club on Saturday 20 September between 5pm and 7pm and all support will be appreciated, so please turn up and swell the numbers for this important event. Now the music, which was as brilliant as ever, and the reason that we want the place to stay open. The evening started very well with Miranda Barber and friends reminding us how good her new album “Lips Decision” really is and leaving us with no excuse not to go out and buy it. Apart from the charming opener,”Summer Rain”, the other three songs were old favourites beautifully performed by Miranda with the help of Sian on backing vocals and Dave Hawkins adding solid well matched guitar. You can share the pleasure on www.myspace.com/miranderbarber, and buy the album there. I last saw Ella Edmondson at this venue in April, and enjoyed her set just as much on this occasion as I did then. She opened with the rocky “Go Without” and used a lovely 12 String guitar on the darker and commercial “Sing for You”, the English folk style “Breathe” and the KT Tunstall style “Hold on to Your Horses”. She looked and sounded great and the addition of a good bass player helped the sound in a positive way. She has some gigs lined up, including supporting Eliza Carthy and Jools Holland later in the year, and it’s all on www.myspace.com/ellaedmondson. Fraser Anderson flew in from France for this gig, but sounded pretty Scottish to me, but I was always bad with accents. With his big beard and nice hat, he certainly held our attention with the Jackson Browne influenced “Rag ‘n Bones” followed by some very intricate folk/jazz songs that could not fail to impress. He controls an audience so well that you don’t notice he is doing it; rather like a fellow Scots folk performer that I knew many years ago, Alex Campbell. Mr Campbell was rather too fond of the whiskey and Mr Anderson obviously is not, judging by the professionalism of his entire performance. Come back soon, or we will have to make do with www.myspace.com/fraseranderson. It is impossible not to fall for Rosabella Gregory, a London based, keyboard driven singer/songwriter with a delicate voice, great songs and lovely, curly hair. Her keyboard playing is excellent and compliments good material like her new single “Water” and the incredibly commercial “Love That Man”. “Still” was pretty good too and all can be sampled on www.myspace.com/rosabellagregory. Deja Vu again for the last performer, Vashti, who I enjoyed immensely last October at the Soho Revue Bar when she opened for her brother, Tom Baxter. She has a band but was solo on this occasion, apart from her acoustic guitar and gorgeous red dress. Her voice is so pure and “Just Like the Weather” was a great opener in a jazzy, fun vein. “Infatuation” was darker, a bit Balkan, and a well constructed piece. She is touring with Beth Rowley and is on www.myspace.com/vashtimusic.
There’s nothing like an album launch to end the week, so an invite to Soho Review Bar off Berners Street to preview a forthcoming release by Andrea McEwan was very welcome. With UK music royalty like Paul Gambuccini and Mike Batt in attendance, it turned out to be a good evening of drinks and nibbles followed by some songs from Andrea’s debut EP “Candle in a Chatroom”, which is set for release on 6 October on Mike Batt’s Dramatico record label. The label has also signed Katie Melua and Carla Bruni, and Andrea will be embarking on a European tour with Katie commencing October 2 and concluding on November 11 at Brighton Centre. Andrea was an actress in Australia before moving to Europe and taking up music after a demo that she produced in Australia landed on Mike Batt’s desk. The EP consists of the title track plus “Black Socks in the Wash” and “Fast Train”, all of which she performed well with her band. She has a pleasing voice and the songs are a bit KT Tunstall but more jazzy. The lyrics are certainly good and overall the EP is worth a listen, which you can do by going to www.myspace.com/andreamcewan. So another week has gone and the next one is still there to look forward to. Lots of good stuff to see and hear and be sure and do just that, while staying safe and well.
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