Chuck Prophet & Cumbia Shoes/Our Man in the Field

CHUCK PROHPET & HIS CUMBIA SHOES/OUR MAN IN THE FIELD

International Arts Centre 25th February 2025

Despite the cold weather, back to the International Arts Centre for another new band to me...

This must have been one of the most anticipated gigs for a long time.. .so many people saying "you mustn't miss this one"... since the day it was announced... so last night I got to see Chuck Prophet and his Cumbia Shoes.

Even arriving , as I thought, early there was already a queue to get in, and by the time the doors opened it was a rather long queue... and there was a buzz of anticipation in the air as the audience filed in... hearing that Chuck was due on stage at 9.00, and not realising there was a support act settled down with a pint and a nattter... then suddenly a figure appeared on stage... the support act, "Our Man in the Field"...

A singer songwriter, playing his own songs with just an acoustic guitar. The songs were generally pretty good, and sung well, and he threw in a couple of neat anecdotes/explanations between songs... For the last song he added a drum machine, which I felt didn't add much to the performance, but didn't detract. Overall quite enjoyed the set, but it was rather low key and I feel would have benefitted from a change of pace here and there and a touch more energy... though overall enjoyed it, and he got a good response from the audience...

In the interval the buzz of anticiaption grew and the standing audience seemed to suddenly materialize at the front by the stage...

Without ceremony the band came on and there was a slight delay while everyone realised what was happening before the cheer... then the band kicked into some high powered rock'n'roll that set the crowd bouncing... the bass and bass drum especially powering away, you could feel it through the floor all through the body...

I believe the Cumbia Shoes band is a relatively new departure for Chuck... but what a departure!!. The band are simply phenomenal... sadly i didn't get the members names, but all deserve huge credit... the drummer was a powerhouse of energetic and high quality drumming driving the band along, while the bass player delivered consistently high power high class playing.

The lead guitar player was outstanding, delivering a constant flow of brilliant lines and passages throughout... . Across the stage the percussionist did his stuff on hand drums and a metal drum as well as cowbell. The band is completed by a musician doubling on keyboards and acoustic 12-string... this hardly gives the musicians the credit the warrant... the band were simply magnificent throughout rocking like crazy throughout... the Cumbia (tex-mex/latino?) rhythms and beat being utterly irresistable and uplifting.

Up front the main man, Chuck Prophet proved to be a supreme showman... aside from singing superbly with passion and fire, he played superb guitar and had a wonderful line of chat between songs, ranging from hilarious to strongly political and kept the audience fully engaged throughout.

I can't single out highlights, partly because I don't know the song titles and partly because the whole show was a highlight... though i could single out the last encore, a beautiful piece which may have been called "Today is a good day for being alive" which took the pace right down... was delivered by Chuck with acoustic guitar and some absolutely sublime pedal steel playing.

The whole audience bought in to the theme totally, and without much persuading sang the final inspirational title line back to Chuck.

There really aren't enough superlatives for Chuck Prophet and his Cumbia Shoes... the whole band were simply wonderful, brilliant playing, exhilarating uplifting rhythms and driving beat that kept the whole room bouncing and the most joyful vibe throughout... The energy, good humour and joy on stage was a true delight.

Did the band live up to the pre-gig enthusiasm?... they exceeded all expectations... absolutely fabulous evening...

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues

Dust'n'Debris

DUST'N'DEBRIS

Donkey Garden 23rd February 2025

My first visit to the newly re-furbished THE DONKEY GARDEN and delighted to be back there. I didn't know what changes had been made I was not sure what to expect.

So, a couple of minor issues on the venue... the walls are bare and slightly clinical looking, a music venue needs memorabilia and posters around... and the curtains behind the stage were left open, which was distracting (closed after the interval though!)... minor points... but it is early days and I am sure it will soon seem like home again. From my conversations with management and team I am sure that the management are keen to re-establish the place as a great venue and to be really supportive of the audience.

So onto the gig... delighted to see DUST'N'DEBRIS again... A great hugely enjoyable americana/cajun/country/rock band who always deliver a hugely enjoyable show.

As the band took the stage Les said that as ever they would start with a story, and soon the joyous sounds of "Rocky Mountain Belle" were filling the room, closely followed by two more up-tempo D'n'D favourites.. "Wagon Wheel" and "Dooley". The set progressed along familiar lines though i must admit that when a band announces a Beatle cover "One After 909" isn't the first song I expect.. (however often i've heard it!).

The first half ended with a new song to the set, "Dry Town", which i think will be a welcome addition to future gigs

The second half followed the same pattern featuring predominantly up-beat songs familiar to a D'n'D gig ending with the rocking americana of the jump number "Symphony Sid" followed by "Runaround Sue" and ending with "Battle of New Orleans " and a cajun 2-step.

Hugely enjoyable gig... the band continue to delight audiences with their joyful upbeat music and personalities... it is always good to see a band smiling and enjoying their work.

Musically the the band are class... the rhythm section of "Bud (drums) and "Mark (bass) drive along beautifully while the Leader, Les plays solid acoustic guitar and occasional harp, singing in his more "Lived in" style while Jade alongside sings beautifully as always. Fiddle music is central to much country/americana and Elaine's fiddle playing shines brightly through the set... completing the line up George delivers some superb lead guitar, as well as banjo and mandolin... and also adds some fine vocals.

Always a delight to see... Dust and Debris delighted as always...

keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues

Guilty Men

GUILTY MEN

Internationl Arts Cenbre: 19th February 2025

An absolute treat last night at the International Arts Centre on Garden Street. The first time for me to see THE GUILTY MEN and what a superb band they proved to be.

Five musicians with a superb pedigree and back catalogue coming together to form a wonderful cohesive whole.

The band comprises Clive Gregson (Any Trouble, Gregson/Collister, Richard Thonpson Band) Craig Fletcher & Jez Smith (Barclay James Harvest) Neil Cossar (the Cheaters) and Paul Burgess (10CC).

I never like to add genres but their music defies categorisation, displaying hints of americana, country, folk, pop and rock... songs contributed by all of the members and lead vocals shared by Clive, Jez, Neil & Craig

Clive and Neil both play superb guitar, with some quite scintillating lead passages throughout.. .Jez's keyboards shine through adding to the melodies and adding a depth of texture, at times reminiscent of BJH. The whole sound is unpinned by some great bass playing, and brilliant drumming.

The set started with four pieces, giving each of the four singers their chance to take a lead vocal, before anyone addressed the audience... but having introduced the four singers the chat and banter on stage was warm, informative and entertaining, with some great tales of heroic failure thrown in by Clive.

As well as the vocals all being strong the harmonies, whether 2- 3- or 4 part were spot on.

The bulk of the set was the bands "Invisible Graffiti" album, along with a couple of of tracks that were recorded but didnt make the cut... After the album the band highlighted material from the members earlier bands... Cheaters, BJH, 10CC and Any Trouble.

The music was always entertaining, beautifully varied throughout and allowed each member to shine in a lead role as well as being a really tight five piece ensemble... the band clearly have a great rapport among themselves and with the audience, and clearly enjoy playing together in the band.. something that communicates totally with the audience.

Superb set by a really high quality band... loved it... hope to see them back

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venue

Tannahill Weavers

                                                 TANNAHILL WEAVERS

International Arts Centre 12th February 2025

On a viciously cold damp wednesday night what could be better to warm and inspire than going to the International Arts Centre and listening to an invigorating set of Scottish tunes and Songs with the fabulous Tannahill Weavers.

The band hit the stage and launched into a glorious stomping march, then jig, with the Iain's pipes to the fore, which blew away the cold in seconds.

The set progressed with alternating songs and tune sets with Roy handling the lead vocals and the other three adding some fabulous harmonies throughout.

Impossible to pick out highlights of the set... though special mention to Iain for a beautiful lament for the fallen on the pipes. His pipes had actually been played on the Somme during the battle in WW1 by one of hisw antecedents... The story of the pipes and this piece was a very moving part of the set.

Roy is the perfect front man for a band.. .great character, great sense of humour and fine singer and musician...

The rest of the band are also sublime musicians... Iain playing superb pipes and fiddle, Phil with a range of whistles and flute as well as the bodhran and Malcolm on fiddle.

This is a magnificent band, each member a superb musician and they appear to have a telepathic link together, almost like one man playing all the instruments...

They ennded with a couple of encores, first off was Iain with some fabulous scottish mouth music, support by Phil's bodhran before the band came back for a final rousing Bonny Prince Charlie song... "Johnny Cope"

The whole set was warm, upbeat and hugely invogorating, uplifting and hugely enjoyable... Tannahill Weavers gigs should be available on the National Health for an immediate cure for blues!!

Loved every minute of the performance.. a terrific nights entertainment delivered by a really terrific band

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues...

LOROS Event at Soundhouse

ANTONIO/SAM TORRIK BROWN/OLLY E/MALCOLM WALKER/LAB RATS

Soundhouse 8th February 2025

A great afternoon in the Soundhouse... where Paddy McCullough had arranged a free benefit gig in support of LOROS... free entry and donations to the excellent cause.

As always with benefit gigs i wont review the individual acts, but just thank every one who played for their contributions... sadly time constraints and commitments meant i could only stay for the afternoon session of the event, but got to see Antonio, San Torrik Brown, Olly E, Malcolm Walker and Lab Rats

There was a really good turn out for the event so hopefully a really good amount collected for LOROS.

Finally, huge credit for Paddy McCullough... a keen supporter of local talent and of LOROS.

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues