Nick Whitfield/Dawson Smith/Gaz Birtles

NICK WHITFIELD/DAWSON SMITH/GAZ BIRTLES

Black Horse 19th January 2025

Spent a truly wonderful afternoon in the BLACK HORSE being wonderfully entertained by Gaz Birtles, Dawson Smith and Nick Whitfield with a collection of mainly solo mainly acoustic music.

The pub was full and the atmosphere so warm and friendly, the feeling very much of a bunch of friends playing a bunch of songs for a bunch of friends...

First up was Gaz, I had heard him sing a few numbers before but never heard him play a set, accompanied by an acoustic guitarist. Hadn't realised what a fine voice he has, and anyone who dips into the songbooks of Rufus Wainwright and Jonathon Richman gets my vote anyway! A really great relaxed performance which also included a song by the Beautiful South and a Gaz Birtles original... Really lovely set to start the afternoon.

After Gaz, Dawson was up, solo and armed with an acoustic guitar and a bunch of fine songs... His performance was outstanding... We had a couple of Steve Earle songs - i always think Dawson and Steve Earle are a great match - as well as a Justin Townes Earle and a couple of his own fine songs. Hugely enjoyable slice of Americana which was thoroughly loved by the whole room.

Sadly i didnt catch the name of the guitarist with Gaz or the Mandolin player who accompanied Dawson on a few numbers... but suffice to say they both played beautifully and fully contributed to the sets.

Last up was Nick... first time I'd seen Nick solo, and playing acoustic... though he switched to electric after a few numbers... This was however a typical Drugstore Cowboy set with Nick covering the usual eclectic mix of great songs, including pieces by the Beatles Johnny Cash and Steve Earle ... several familiar from the band performances and others new to me... but Nick was his usual ebullient self, playing and singing superbly and enjoying himself as much as the audience were...

During the set Nick introduced Christine on bass to play a selection from the "Can Your Pussy do the Cramps" set before continuing solo running through more apparently random songs which were all delivered as ever with style and energy...

We thought the end came with a spot of rock'n'roill in the shape of "Summertime Blues", "Bank Robber" and "I Fought the Law".

Inevitable Nick returned for an encore... which became at least 5 more songs including "Ring of Fire" before he remembered he hadn't sung any of his own songs and put that record straight, before playing "Paint it Black" a Tammy Wynette parody with "Stand by Your Cat" ending as ever with "Champion the... Wonderhorse"

A really great afternoon with three outstanding performers each delivering a hugely enjoyable performance...

A really great afternoon... a definite 5-1/2/ star afternoon!!

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

PS - guitarist with Gaz was Rob Bourgault and Mandolin with Dawson was Gareth Jones THERE ARE NO PHOTOS FROM THIS GIG

John Otway Band

JOHN OTWAY BAND

IAC 12TH January 2025

Third night in a row at the IAC... and what a superb night it was!!.. I love an eccentric, and they dont come much more eccentric than the barmpot John Otway. I've seen John many times both solo and with Wild Willy, but this was my first time seeing him accompanied by a band, so wasn't sure what to expect... and it was superb... the lunacy unchanged but backed by an absolutely superb band.

The band were simply magnificent, they were tight, a powerhouse and really rocked... and totally in tune with each other and with John. The bass/drums rhythm section underpinned the whole sound, the drum sound was outstanding and the bass pumped along beautifully. Up front Murray and Rich played superb guitar forming a really terrific rock band.

Up front Otway delivered his customary mix of song, music and lunacy... starting off by sympathising with those who hadn't seen him before as they didn't know what they were letting themselves in for before talking about the success of his hit, and playing "Really Free" and "Beware the Flowers" during which he was pelted with artificial flowers each time the title appeared...

These were followed by "Delilah", the number that made John the face of Weetabix back in the day.

The set careered along in familiar style with Otways humour and performance to the fore, until he announced the final song of the half, after which he said the band would need a rest and the audience would certainly need a break... the song was an anthemic "We Rock" which rocked and grew more manic as it went on...

The second half was opened with "Bunsen", a scientific sort of song followed by "House of the Rising Sun"... delivered more or less solo with the enthusiastic audience calling out the questions

("there is a house in... "where is it John?"... "in New Orleans"... whats it called John?... ) before the band came in and reprised the first verse or two with the audience singing along with vigour.

The theremin came out for the Osmonds "Crazy Horses" and the set then continued in the same vein ending up with a wonderful version of "Cheryls Going Home" (it's not funny, she left me!) and the final song "I dont know what i'm doing (but i shouldnt be doing this)"

As they finished they got a well deserved massive ovation from the audience who had had a ball and loved the show... they came back for an encore, "Geneve" then it was over...

An evening of brilliant music delivered by a really superb band, genial lunacy and tremendous humour and spirit. John Otway is truly a master of his craft, fine musician, hugely madcap, writer of great songs ("Flowers" once voted 7th best lyric ever, ahead of anything by Dylan) and absolutely hilarious... his expressions movements and antics keep you rivetted and laughing from the off... there is nothing quite like an Otway gig.. .whatever format it takes... and should be available on the National Health as a tonic for everyone.

Barmy.. Hilarious.. Musically brilliant.. uplifting.. wonderful.. John and the band clearly have a ball... and the audience just cant help loving and revelling in every glorious moment... absolutely superb show!!

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

Strange Doors

STRANGE DOORS

IAC 11th January 2025

2nd visit to the International Arts Centre in 2 days... this one to see The Strange Doors - UK Doors Tribute Band

If you are into the Doors, you have to love this fabulous band, surely one of the best tribute bands on the scene.

The band are incredibly authentic in sound and feel to the Doors, close your eyes you could be listening to the originals...

As with the original Doors band it is easy to think it is Morrison with backing musicians, but that is far from the reality... Ray, Robbie and John were all superb musicians and the guys in Strange Doors no less so... though inevitably the focus is on Morrison... all four members are equally important and contribute equally to high quality of the band.

A Strange Doors gig takes you on a high intensity ride through the legacy of the Doors, a couple of hours of solid gold Doors classics delivered with energy, assurance, great joy and musical brilliance. They had the audience up and whooping, singing along with gusto and calling for more...

A superb recreation of one of the best bands ever... a terrific band... great musicians and a fabulous high energy show...

Any criticisms?... well, a minor one... they didn't play "Unknown Soldier"!!... mind you, didnt hear anything i would see dropped to accomodacate it!!

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

Stevie Jones & the Wildfires/Doris Brendel & Lee Dunham/Grinning Scarecrows

STEVIE JONES & THE WILDFIRES/DORIS BRENDEL & LEE DUNHAM/GRINNING SCARECROWS

IAC 10TH January 2025

First gig i'd been to for some 18 days and withdrawal symptoms were setting in... and there was no way the cold and ice was going to keep me away from this one at the International Arts Centre ... and those of us who were there were treated to a superb evening of music...

First up were the wonderful Grinning Scarecrows... an unlikely pairing of Autumn Dawn Leader and Paddy McCullough...two different talents who blend perfectly.

Autumn has a simply wonderful voice and sings with power and passion living out every nuance and emotion of the songs with her performance... performing with Paddy frees her from keyboard duties and the voice and singing reach even higher levels than normal... Paddy accompanies with some splendid guitar work and is a fine singer in himself, though less demonstrative!

The duo played a mix of their own songs, starting with a phenomenal version of Autumns' "Devour" which set the hairs on the beck of the neck tingling, and ended with a magnificent version of Paddy's "Lazarus Walk" (from where the band name comes). Absolutely superb set by two great performers who bring out the best in each other... superb!!

Next up, a new name to me, Doris Brendel/Lee Dunham and they delivered a superb performance. An acoustic duo who came over as a rock'n'roll band without the band...

Doris has a superb voice and delivery, singing with great power and authority whether rocking out, bluesy or more coaxing... while playing guitar or whistle... in one song Doris delivered a couple of outstanding solos, delivered with style and authority.

Lee plays guitar... superbly... His playing is at all times powerful, rhythmic and melodic, whether on 6- or 12-string and fits perfectly with Doris' perfromance.

Not only a musically superb duo, but full of fun and life... larger than life personalities having a great time playing and simply wowing the audience... superb performance by Colin and Babs.. loved every moment...

Last up was Stevie Jones and The Wildfires.. in this case singular Wildfire as illness had kept the bass and drummer away... but no matter... whatever the format or line up you know Stevie is going to deliver a cracking set and this was no exception... Stevie was in great form as ever singing and playing superbly, ably accompanied by some superb guitar work by Wildfire Dave...

Stevie kicked off with "14 Days that Followed a Supermoon" from last years superb "Getting There" album... the set then ranged across much of Stevie's catalogue... including a superb performance of "Beautiful Deletion" (also from "Getting There") which is a personal favourite.

Autumn returned to the stage to sing with the band for a couple of songs, adding her own unique stylings to the songs.

For the encore, Stevie reminded us it was 8 years to the day since David Bowie passed, and ended with a tribute to him with an impassioned and superb version of "Rebel Rebel"

Stevie is a terrific song writer, singer and musician and has a wonderful warm stage presence and always delivers a quality set whatever the line up

Absolutely superb gig with three exceptional acts... loved every minute.

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