THE
LUCKY BISHOPS "Grimstone"
I
first heard The Lucky Bishops on Alchemical Radio playing 'Silent Car'
and thought it sounded like an XTC classic of old. That particular track
is not on their second album 'Grimstone' (named after the village in
Dorset where the band once lived incidentally) but the XTC 'way of doing
things' is still evident along with some other influences- I thought
I detected a flashback to The Zombies' 'Odyssey and Oracle' in places.
There is no plagiarism at work here though- far from it.
The
Lucky Bishops are 'the same but different' as their illustrious predecessors
if you know what I mean and have carved out a niche for themselves in
the world of 'intelligent pop with a touch of psychedelic'. The 12 songs
on 'Grimstone' are insistently melodious with great four part harmonies,
infectious hooks and bittersweet lyrics. It's hard to single out any
particular track as the standard of songwriting and playing is consistently
high throughout. Recommended.
Contact:
Woronzow, 75 Melville Road, Walthamstow, London, UK E17 6QT. http://www.woronzow.co.uk
(Reviewed
by Phil Jackson) musician
and reviewer
PAUL ROSE
- "Slideaway" / "Late Show"
Paul
Rose was discovered by the sadly missed Rory Gallagher whose prodigious
guitar talent is well documented. Paul is no slouch either having won
'Guitarist' magazine's 'guitarist of the year' award twice playing none
other than one of Rory's guitars (gifted to him by the great man himself)
'Slideaway' is an interesting mixture of blues like 'Take A Mile' (Blues/jazz
actually) and 'Throw Me a Line' (The only 2 tracks with vocals) and
more experimental and ambient moments like the outstanding opener 'Addiction'
with its great rhythmic backing, the three tracks entitled 'Ambient
1, 2 and 3' (of course!) and 'School', a very reflective, poignant piece
that touches on a Chet Atkins style (Fully realised on the playful 'Old
Strings', a track that would not have been out of place on the Knopfler-Atkins
album 'Neck to Neck')
'Demons' is a heavier uptempo piece depicting the unrest the protagonist
obviously wants to express in its complex vacillating rhythms and virtuosic
guitar work.
Of the ambient pieces on 'Slideaway' I was reminded of Bill Nelson's
comment on the excellent 'Chance Encounters in the Garden of Lights'
double set- "Of all the music I have made, this is, perhaps, the
most personal and yet the least demonstrative." So it is perhaps
with 'Ambient 1-3' where synthesized elements and voices (An effect
repeated on 'Late Show') produce an atmosphere more redolent of a monastery
than a rock guitar concert!
The album ends, fittingly, with a slow blues with Rose playing rhythm
arpeggios and gut wrenching fluid lead lines (Hank Marvin must surely
be a long standing influence!) One is reminded, as the piece progresses,
of Gary Moore's 'Parisienne Walkways' and this 6 minute number, perhaps
the most satisfying piece on the album, has a classic timeless folk
like quality about it.
'Space 1' and 'Space 2', two linked pieces gave me the feeling they
refer more to personal space than outer space but perhaps I'm wrong
there- whatever, it is similar to the 'wash of celestial sounds' on
'Late Show', an album made with romantics and meditators in mind that
certainly accomplishes the stated aim of being music suitable for a
'late show'.
It is not pure relaxation music though- 'The Journey' has a very Marillion
like guitar line and the fluidity of the playing is quite exceptional.
The guitar lead in 'Late Show Part 1' (revisited on the penultimate
track) is achingly beautiful with a nice organ undertone. The next 3
tracks are short, ambient and evocative but on the 5 minute 'Blind Spot'
Paul has the space to stretch out again. Interestingly 'Hands Off' was
the title of a Rory Gallagher song (I should know- my University band
used to play it!) but I think the title 'Hands On, Hands Off' could
be coincidental- then again the virtuosity is there for all to hear!
'Return' has a 'semi acoustic' eastern flavour to it and one keeps expecting
the tabla to break through (like on Zep's 'Black Mountain Side' perhaps!)
'Numerology' is an interesting departure of style with an arpeggiated
synth hinting at a Tangerine Dream type progression. One keeps expecting
some guitar to crash in like on The Who's 'Baba O'Reilly' but, disappointingly,
this never materialises. 'Eastern View' has a lachrymose Clapton 'Edge
of Darkness' feel to it (A soundtrack Clapton did with Michael Kamen
to accompany the excellent BBC drama of 1985)
The album ends with 'Transmission', 5 minutes of pure ambience.
Paul Rose is a gifted and creative musician and there is much to admire
and enjoy on both 'Slideaway' and 'Late Show'. Credit also to both sleeve
designs by Simon Donald and Terri~B respectively.
Contact: www.hinotemusic.com
and www.paulrose.co.uk
('Slideaway' is released in association with Stone Premonitions and
'Late Show' on Headline HDL 508)
(Reviewed
by Phil Jackson) musician
and reviewer
MOTT THE HOOPLE
- Hoopling - Best Of Live
So,
does the world need another Mott The Hoople live CD. Especially bearing
in mind the Angel Air releases of "All The Way From Stockhom To
Philadelphia", "Rock'n'Roll Circus - Live 6th April 1972"
and the 2CD "Two Miles From Live Heaven". Well, actually,
yes. Because those are firmly aimed at completist Hoopsters, warts and
all. What you have here are the highlights, compiled and annotated by
Keith Smith, editor of the Mott The Hoople fanzine. And, lo it was good.
Add
in some photos from the personal archives of Dale Griffin, Mick Ralphs
and Overend Watts, and some enjoyable reminiscences from band members
throughout the 16 page booklet, and this is a thoroughly excellent 74
minute romp through a selection of Mott highlights.
Of
the 12 tracks on offer, I would highlight my all time favourite Hoopling
number, "The Original Mixed-Up Kid", taken from the Wildlife
album, but here even more plaintive. There's also a marvellous pre Bad
Company take on "Ready For Love", one of THE classic rock
ballads of the seventies. And a special mention to "One Of The
Boys", a rocker that you can join in and play spot the riff on.
Add in that nasty little "Sucker", and a few of the hits,
"Roll Away The Stone", "All The Way From Memphis",
"All The Young Dudes", and this is a tremendous tribute to
an under appreciated outfit.
http://www.angelair.co.uk
|