December 2004

£

£

"The best band you have never heard"

Mostly Autumn may not be a household name but it has built a loyal and cult following since its first album twelve years ago.  In that time such luminaries as the late Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple's Jon Lord and the BBC's own Bob Harris are amongst its many fans.  
Mostly Autumn has also toured as an invited support act to Blackmore's Night, Uriah Heep and Jethro Tull, as well as being special guests at Bryan Adam's Murrayfield Stadium gig three years ago.  That alone should give some indication as to the calibre of the band. 

Their musical palette is diverse and while they draw on influences from the golden age of seventies’ rock, they have developed their own unique sound and style that both captures some of the essence of that heady era and yet looks forward into the future. 

Bryan Josh is that rare beast – a hugely talented guitarist who knows how to play with feeling and for the song.  His soaring guitar, always drenched in pure emotion, at times recall the golden era of guitar heroes such as David Gilmour but never outstays its welcome, always leaving the listener wanting a little more. Lead vocalist Olivia Sparnenn is a true talent, the range and beauty of her voice is world class.  The magnificence of Iain Jennings on keyboards, complimented by a rock solid yet fluid rhythm section - Andy Smith (bass), Gavin Griffiths (drums), Liam Davison (rhythm guitar) and the delightful vocals and multi instruments of Anne-Marie Helder make Mostly Autumn a band that will enthrall you and awaken memories of what real music is really about.

 " I've been listening to this amazing new band called Mostly Autumn" Rick Wright from Pink Floyd on BBC Radio 2.

£

Jason Manford

Patrick Monahan

Alan Carr

£

£

The debut SAS album features artists who collectively have appeared on many (many) number one hit songs, including: Chris Thompson, Tony Hadley, Kiki Dee, Roger Chapman, Roger Taylor, and Madeline Bell. Featured musicians include Ian Anderson, John Deacon, Peter Green, Cozy Powell, Jamie Moses & Charlie Morgan. Tracks were recorded at Black Barn Studios in Ripley over a two year period, where the complex process of melding the prolific array of talent into an album was finally completed in April 1998. The album is based on a 'half original/half cover' format. Originals include the writers version of Chris Thompson's classic composition 'You're the voice', already a hit for John Farnham, and 'Original sin'. Covers include epic arrangements of classic songs like 'That's the way god planned it', 'The Name of the Game', and 'Didn't I blow your mind this time.'

Artists that appeared with the SAS Band are: Roy Wood - The Move, ELO, Wizzard Arthur Brown - The Crazy World of Madeline Bell - Blue Mink Carl Wayne - The Move Jess Roden - The Alan Bown Set Edwin Starr - Motown artist Gary Brooker - Procul Harum Roger Chapman - Family Leo Sayer Chris Thompson - Manfred Mann's Earthband Kiki Dee Mark Shaw - Then Jerico Roger Taylor - Queen Brian May - Queen John Deacon - Queen Paul Rodgers - Free, Bad Company Judie Tzuke Chaka Khan Phil Manzenera - Roxy Music John Wetton - Asia Graham Gouldman - 10cc Tom Robinson - TRB Southside Johnny - The Asbury Dukes Lionel Richie Tony Hadley - Spandau Ballet Fish - Marillion Paul Young Paul Young - Mike & The Mechanics Bob Geldof Steve Hogarth - The Europeans, Marillion Steve Lukather - Toto Suggs - Madness Marti Pellow - Wet Wet Wet Curtis Stigers Peter Cox - Go West Haddaway Karl Wallinger - World Party Stevie Vann - The voice of The Bodyform Ad The Fabba Girls - Bjorn Again.

£

£

£

Most of you are aware of the psychedelic phenomenon that was born in the late 60's, the inspirational chaos that was to become the typically British and well documented sensation Pink Floyd. They have sold over 210 million albums worldwide with titles such as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall.

Today with the passing of Rick Wright in 2008 there will sadly never be the reunion that we all hoped for, but the music is timeless and will live on for many more years to come. How many 60's bands today are still attracting new and often young fans 40 years on?

Today, there are many bands trying to emulate this music, the most outstanding by far being Perfect Alibi - the definitive Pink Floyd tribute.

Around 1990, Dave Blake (lead guitar) and Rick Gauntlett (guitar & vocals) formed Perfect Alibi. Back then they were playing covers of classic rock songs by Pink Floyd, Marillion, Eagles, Neil Young and more. Being huge fans themselves and from the reaction of the audiences, more and more Floyd songs crept their way in to the set until it got difficult to mix other material in. Realising this a concert was staged in a theatre as a tester and Perfect Alibi emerged as a totally dedicated Pink Floyd tribute.

With the incredible guitar sounds of Dave Blake, the stunning vocals of Rick Gauntlett, and the excellent musicianship of all members of the band, Perfect Alibi are now widely respected and appreciated in their field, giving the audience a truly authentic reproduction of the music of Pink Floyd. With the emphasis on capturing the live Pink Floyd sound and with well over 40 songs in their repertoire, spectacular lighting/lasers/projections, this is a show not to be missed!

But don't take our word for it... judge for yourselves. You won't be disapppointed!

£

Make me smile (come up and see me), reached number one in 1975 in the UK and many European countries and is regularly voted among the top singles in the history of the charts, which covers six decades of releases.

The Performing Rights Society has confirmed it one of the most played records in British broadcasting.  The song has been covered more than 100 times in seven languages and has been featured in several movies including The Full Monty (whose soundtrack album went triple platinum in the UK, and platinum in the USA and Australia), Velvet Goldmine, Best and Saving Grace. The song has also been used on more than twenty TV and radio advertising campaigns around the world.

£

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on singer songwriters, along comes Martyn Joseph to blow the myth away.....

On this tour showcasing material from his brand new studio album, and in a year that marks 30 years in the business, Martyn proves that there’s nothing predictable about his gigs – only that they can make you laugh, cry, get you thinking, leave you reeling.

An acoustic artist with an electrifying spontaneity, this colossally gifted and gracious Welshman has five Top 50 hits to his name (including Dolphins Make Me Cry and Please Sir) and has been in demand on both sides of the Atlantic for over two decades. Touring both solo and with the likes of Ani DiFranco, Art Garfunkel and Jools Holland he has won fans everywhere with his uncanny melting pot of material which ranges from rock to blues, jazz, Americana and even, “funk folk”!

A mean guitar player with a powerful voice, Bob Harris has praised the ”outstanding lyrical intelligence” of his songs while he was voted Best Male Artist in the BBC Welsh Music Awards.

Shades of Springsteen, John Mayer and Dave Matthews there may be - but Joseph is unique and no two shows are ever the same.

He has an enviable high level connectivity with his audience whether it’s an arts centre in his native Wales or a 5,000 strong crowd at the Royal Albert Hall. His gigs are like taking a rollercoaster ride with a chameleon as he dips and dives between mighty and meek songs, railing against the broken promise playground of global leaders, throwing in some wry humour, holding tight to common man anthems and then “disarming” for unexpectedly fragile love songs that can knock you sideways.

It might be just another evening when you go in to a Martyn Joseph concert – but it certainly won’t be when you come out.....

“Britain’s best kept secret…..a challenging songwriter and compelling and courageous live performer – MOJO

“Songs of social commentary as much as love, with a rootsy sensibility” – Time Out

“A depth, resonance and emotional punch which belies comparison” – Q

“One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today” –Tom Robinson, BBC 6

£

The Saw Doctors came together in Tuam, Co. Galway in 1988 when Leo Moran, realising that the potential for Irish reggae was somewhat limited, quit Too Much For the Whiteman, and got together with Davy Carton after his punk band Blaze X disbanded , despite the fact that their first single "Some Hope" was chosen as Single of the Week on Irish radio.

Success came early for The Saw Doctors – their second single, I Useta Lover, went to Number One in Ireland in September 1990 and was still Number One that Christmas. The Saw Doctors then re-released their first single N17 and on the back of I Useta Lover's success, N17, which was produced by Mike Scott of The Waterboys, went to Number One. The first album, If This Is Rock and Roll, I Want My Old Job Back, was Number One for most of 1991.

After picking up a lot of Irish press and entertainment awards in the early ninties and posting a second Number One album (All The Way From Tuam), The Saw Doctors set about touring the UK and in February 1996, the band's third album "Same Oul' Town" went to Number Six in the UK Top Twenty, yielding two Top Twenty UK singles, World of Good, and To Win Just Once. The Saw Doctors appeared on Top of the Pops in January and July 1996 to promote the two singles.

"From country to punk to pop and rock'n'roll", explains Leo Moran on their success, "we stole all our favourite bits".

In April/May 1997, the Saw Doctors undertook their first major coast to coast US tour and as a result landed a US record deal with Paradigm Records in New York. The compilation album, Sing A Powerful Song, was released in November 1997, prompting Geoffrey Himes to write in The Washington Post "the Saw Doctors are one of the world's most appealing roots-rock outfits" ….in "To Win Just Once" they have crafted an anthem for the losers of the world".

Songs From Sun Street, the Saw Doctors fourth album was released on both sides of the Atlantic in 1998. The album release was celebrated in the UK with a sell out show at London's Royal Albert Hall. In America, the Saw Doctors headlined the American Fleadh concerts with Van Morrisson and Sinead O' Connor. At the Fleadh in San Jose (June 99), they had the crowd "jumping like human pogo-sticks" according to the San Jose Mercury News.

In a Saw Doctors' song, you'll listen in vain for the usual swaggering rock cliches about life on the road, drug problems and easy sex. Instead, continuing the tradition of all-time greats from Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams, their songs range from bringing in the harvest, to running away to join the army; from the plight of Ireland's unmarried mothers to the effect of strong religion on a nation's youth; from playing gaelic football against a neighbouring village to loving the prettiest girl in town but lacking the courage to tell her.

During 2000, The Saw Doctors spent most of the year writing and recording their fifth studio album, Villains?, working with programmer and producer, Giles Packham. Villains? was released to critical acclaim in October 2001. Craig Harris noted in the Boston Globe "with their latest CD, Villains?, a hook-laden mix of rock, pop and traditional roots, the Saw Doctors assume their place next to U2, The Pogues, and Thin Lizzy as one of Ireland's great rock bands".

In July 03, Tyrone Productions (Riverdance Producers) filmed a one hour documentary on the Saw Doctors and the documentary "A Different Kind Of World" along with a 80 minute concert that was recorded at a live show in Galway, was released on DVD and CD in March 2004. The DVD and live both entitled Live in Galway were launched at a sell out show at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom.

Over the years, The Saw Doctors have built up a reputation as a great live band. They have toured in Australia, Canada, USA, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Norway and the UK. Paul Sexton of The Times in London observed that "if they could bottle the sort of bonhomie that can make an entire concert hall feel better, The Saw Doctors would have the medicine show to end them all".

For more gossip on The Saw Doctors, log on to the band's website

£

LIMEHOUSE LIZZY - THE GREATEST HITS OF PHIL LYNOTT & THIN LIZZY

Renowned for an action-packed pyrothechnic-fuelled explosion of a show, Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide.

Attention to detail, playful audience interaction and that all important X-factor that leaves you with the feeling of witnessing the real thing have led to their performance being described as "beyond tribute", by both audience and critics alike.

Following the enormous success of their ˜Live & Dangerous" & ˜Dedication" tours, the band embarked upon their "Into the Limelight" 2008 tour to tie in with their appearance on an episode of BBC2's 'Arena' documentary series of the same name. The tour travelled as far as a headline slot at the Rhodes Rock festival in Greece, and the Virgin Atlantic Music festival in Barbados. The band appeared alongside diverse world music acts, and played a Thin Lizzy set representing the celtic rock genre.

Their latest tour continues to explore and celebrate the artistic and musical legacy of the hard-living, hard-rocking, yet at times surprisingly tender and romantic artist that was Philip Lynott.

Expect more of the Celtic influenced tracks like "Whisky in the Jar" and "Black Rose", amongst the usual razzamatazz and classic tracks "The Boys are Back in Town", "Sarah" and many others we've come to expect from one of the most highly rated acts on the circuit.

"Limehouse Lizzy's Wayne Ellis, an uncanny ringer for Phil Lynott..."
The Guardian

"entertainment for more than a decade…fantastic live music"
Arena BBC2

"if you're sceptical about tribute acts, you won't be after seeing Limehouse Lizzy"
Radio Times

£

"...Cover bands are big business these days, but this quartet are clearly a cut above most with suits, mop-tops and jerking stage manoeuvres all in place as they blast out 'From Me To You', 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Please, Please Me' with note-perfect aplomb."

The Daily Telegraph.

There seems to be two different methods employed by tribute bands in copying their heroes. One is to immerse themselves totally in character, become the band. The other is to still do this, but do it with tongue very much in cheek. So how to interpret the greatest pop group of all time? The Silver Beatles go for option B, not taking themselves too seriously and this approach definitely works for them. They indulge in banter among themselves and with the crowd, making the most out of the fact that every Beatle is instantly recognisable. The first half of the gig is the young Beatles, suits and mop tops, covering all the early hits; 'Saw her standing there, Can't buy me love' among others before finishing on 'Twist and Shout'. Then it's a quick break and costume change where they miraculously transform into the older, hippie era Beatles; the period where they wrote some of their finest songs. Just point non-believers to songs like 'In my life' and 'Let it be' which show, more so than the early years, why the Beatles are still held in such esteem. Not that anyone here needed convincing. The 500 plus crowd, arms held aloft, nah-nah-nah-ing during the encore of 'Hey Jude'. Nope, no non-believers were present.

Review by Thomas Christie

£

Time to dance the night away with the band who make every gig a party night! Those that have followed the band will know that the Rufus Stone Soul Band, based in their home town of Southampton, has been around in many guises since their start in late 1984. After all this time you would expect that some of the sparkle would have gone, not a bit. They still have the same distinctive sound, which ensures that they get the maximum involvement from their audience.

Over the years they have built a loyal following and it is this support that has kept the band not only on the road but still as soulful as when they started. The music is authentic soul with selections from The Blues Brothers and The Commitments, but the bulk of the set comes from the soul greats such as Otis Redding, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Joe Tex and many others.

During their time together there have been a number of highlights that include support to some of the top soul artists like Jimmy Ruffin, Edwin Starr, Curtis Mayfield, Geno Washington, Ben E King, and Gloria Gaynor.

£

£

Mick Slacker & Co's tounge in cheek tribute act just gets better and better.

The BOG ROLLING STONES have earned a reputation as one of the most authentic sounding tribute acts around. Satisfaction's always guaranteed when these long haired boys come home to the Brook!

Their tongue in cheek humour, wigs, stripy trousers and boundless energy make them an act not to be missed. The question is.....would you let your daughter go???

£