LAST WEEK IN LONDON - Electric Revelations and Cool Collaborations
- Posted on October 6, 2008 12:43 PM
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Last Week In London
Electric Revelations and Cool Collaborations
By Peter Coulston
Well, can you believe it? September is over, Christmas is around the corner, and I don’t even remember summer. The fact that I don’t remember lots of other things either is neither here nor there; there actually was no summer. So, let’s forget about summer and concentrate on the one constant that goes with living in London, the live music. There was, as usual, plenty of that around this week, beginning with the Electroacoustic Club at the Slaughtered Lamb on Monday.
Telegrams
The odd thing about this band is that, despite having a very modern and innovative sound this band has chosen as a name, a means of communication that, as far as I know, nobody uses any more. They describe themselves as experimental/melodramatic pop and I guess that sums it up pretty well. My personal description would be absolutely brilliant. These two guys, on guitar and vocals and keys and backing vocals (among other things) use intricate chord and key changes, numerous guitar tunings, electronics and funny instruments like a Tarango, which is actually a Bolivian 12 string ukulele, to produce fantastic music that is never pretentious and always melodic and entertaining. It is folk, jazz, and sometimes just pop of the very highest quality; whatever your taste you must listen to “Woodland Nights” and “We Could Be Raindrops” among others on MySpace and become as besotted as I am. tele
Phil Campbell
I last saw this guy at the Troubadour over a year ago and have to say that he is one great singer songwriter. He travels far and wide, works with or opens for everyone, and we were pretty lucky to catch him doing a small gig here in London on Monday. His brand of acoustic rock in an Americana vein is well crafted, with more folksy stuff like “Maps” and “Wrecking Ball Nights” blending well with the dark and bluesy “Wild River Runs” and the encore, “Broken Spells”. Some of it is on MySpace and well worth listening to.
Lobelia
The was certainly a full line up at The Big Secret at Ginglik in Shepherds Bush on Wednesday with lots of familiar faces not only performing, but performing with each other. Lobelia, who opened the show, came to the UK from West Virginia, USA via Montreal, Canada, which is certainly an interesting set of influences. With Steve Larsen on bass, guitar and electronics to assist, her alternative folk/pop was well received thanks to her strong vocals, excellent songs and clever use of loop station. She even looped her own vocals on one number, but was equally effective playing straight acoustic. Obviously inspired by her American roots and a stay in La Belle Provence, I look forward to hearing her again soon, as you could on her MySpace.
Dorie Jackson
Dorie is in great demand as a backing singer, and it was in this capacity that I first met her as showed her talents alongside Emily Baker at this location back in March. She was up front for this set, with Emily on backing vocals and guitar and Alice Shaw on backing vocals and keyboards. And why not, indeed; as she has a great voice. With good songs like “Back Again, Starry Eyed” and the rockier “Never Gonna Break Me” she certainly won me over; with the CSNY harmonies with the girls adding to the magic. This is pop/acoustic at the highest standard and she has a MySpace as well as an album called “Courting Ground”. Personally, I’m hooked.
Al Lewis
As you are probably aware, I have covered Al’s gigs and recordings a few times before, but on this occasion he pulled a surprise on me with the addition of Sarah Howells to the stage for most of his set. Sarah is also from Cardiff, was the singer for a band called Halflight, and was on the same bill as Al at the Half Moon in Putney last October. I loved her set on that occasion, and enjoyed her work with Al every bit as much. Al was his usual professional self with “Treading Water” with Sarah, and “One Way Love Affair”, which he did on his own; and I really took to “Temptation”, which Al and Sarah wrote together and sang as a duet. She has an earthy voice that compliments his clear, pronounced vocals, which worked a treat on this folk rock offering. Lovely set, guys and gals, let’s hear it again sometime.
Kal Lavelle
I previously enjoyed Kal at JRink in Soho in February and Liberties in Camden in May, and, for some reason, have never been back to either establishment. It certainly wasn’t anything to do with Kal, as I enjoyed her work both times, as I did tonight. She sings and plays her acoustic pop/rock with great passion, especially on “Disaster”, but can be more folksy on “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and jazzy on “Sing”. Whatever the style, she does it well and is always worth turning up for or logging in to at MySpace.
Emily Baker
This time it was Emily’s turn to take centre stage with Dorie and Alice helping out. It’s Alice’s turn at this venue in a few weeks and I intend to be here. Well, it was magic all over again, with Emily’s strong vocals doing justice to rocky ballads like “Wait for You” and “House of Cards” and the more blues influenced “Fools Rush In” Great harmonies from the three girls, terrific songs from Emily’s pen and another spot on performance. Don’t miss it, next time around.
Holly Dearden
This talented lady closed the show, with her sound vocals and keyboards and her backing band, made up of Alex Carban on bass and Robbie Jarvis on drums. She has a lovely deep voice and perfect control, which works so well on rocky ballads like “Dignity” and “Ebony Eyes” and the jazzier “Holding Me Back”. A most enjoyable set, that you can all experience as she gigs around London frequently.
Emily Baker
Yes, I know that I have already written about this talented lady and her lovely friends, Dorie and Alice this week, but Amity was running another Big Secret gig on Thursday at the Performing Rights Society offices on Berners Street, and I was invited. Never one to turn down a good gig and a free glass of wine (or two!), I went along to enjoy what was pretty well the same set from these ladies when they opened the show. They were just as good as the previous night, after which they set off to do it all over again as the opening act at a Pete Docherty gig. Catch them with me at Ginglik on 22 October when it is Alice’s turn to take the lead.
Eliza Wren Payne
Eliza never ceases to amaze me with her innovative approach to music, life and everything; however, on this occasion, a transformation would be a better description. Her acoustic guitar was conspicuous by its absence, and had been replaced by an electronic machine and loop with which she performed her new material. Material, I might add, that embraced electro country, opera, musicals, Brian Wilson (in spirit only!) and, to finish, incredibly clever and commercial pop. There is a new album on the way, and I can’t wait.
Martin Newman
We came back down to earth with this excellent folk/rock acoustic performer ably assisted by Andy on violin. The songs were all strong and well performed, and I am surprised that I have not seen him before. I shall remedy that oversight.
Ella Edmondson
I have seen this lady at The Big Secret twice now, the last time being only last month, and she certainly grows in confidence every time I see her. A very solid performance from her and her 12 String guitar, with songs like “Go Without” and “Sing For You” putting her up there with the next generation of great singer songwriters.
Callaghan
I saw this lady at The Bedford last month and love her country music voice, while still finding some of her guitar based songs a little too Country & Western for me. Very few other people on Thursday shared my view, however, and by the time she moved onto keyboards I was warming to her performance very much. A polished performer, who will win new fans whenever she plays.
So, as we come to the end of another week when the weather actually got worse instead of better, let us be thankful for the good music of London that makes it all bearable, and then some. Stay safe and well and keep gigging.
Related Links
Buy Concert tickets
www.myspace.com/telegramsmusicband
www.myspace.com/philcampbellmusic
www.myspace.com/lobeliamusic
www.myspace.com/doriejackson
www.myspace.com/allewismusic
www.myspace.com/kallavellemusic
www.myspace.com/emilybakermusic
www.myspace.com/hollydearden
www.myspace.com/elizawrenpayne
www.myspace.com/martinewman
www.myspace.com/ellaedmondson
www.myspace.com/callaghanspage
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