Live In 2019: Harriet - live at Acapela Studios, Pentyrch, Cardiff on Friday 25th October 2019

I was first introduced to Harriet's music back in about 2015 when I caught a song on the radio which I thought was a new Carpenters song. It was called Christmas Time Is Here.  Karen Carpenter is my favourite all time female vocalist and I couldn't believe that there was another singer around that could sing like her. But here was one. And by God, she was like her. Now, it's a somewhat pleasurable burden, I imagine, that Harriet carries with her wherever she goes or releases new music. She's heard it a million times before and she'll probably keep hearing it as more and more people discover her wonderful voice for themselves. There were a definitely people in the audience tonight who had come along, intrigued by the comparison and had come to hear Harriet for themselves. How do I know that, because I asked them, I wanted to know what brought them out on a truly awful Welsh Friday night to Acapela Studios to hear this lady sing.

I saw Harriet live, at the same venue back in 2017.  You can read my review below.

click to read the review of Harriet In Acapela 2017

So I was delighted when I saw that Harriet was heading back to Acapela this year. I would have expected her to move onto larger venues but she's kept faith with the venue which gave her such a warm welcome 2 years ago and when I saw the set up for this show I began to understand why. This time, instead of a 6 piece band she came along with just 2 musicians, Scott on Piano and Will on Acoustic Guitar. I have seen some great nights from raucous uptempo bands to Jazz in The Chapel but if Acapela was made for a certain type of gig, it's one like this. Purely acoustic with the minimal of backing and that fantastic voice, laid bare in all it's beautiful glory. On nights like this, the Acapela just magically lights up - and the audience is SO attentive, you could hear a pin drop. And I'm not joking here or being flippant. It's true. Every word.

From the first song, First and Last, to the final encore of  S Club 7's Reach - the audience is under Harriet's spell. Tonight, there was a lot more interaction between Harriet and the Audience as she embraced the intimacy of the venue and the occasion and was much more of herself and not the new performer of the first time I saw her back in 2017. She has certainly grown in confidence and vocal power and control and now sounds less like Ms Carpenter and is singing now in her own unique vocal style.

First and Last

Early on in the show Harriet seemingly apologises for the delay in album #3. She has been collaborating in Sweden with some other songwriters - with some of the songs being introduced into the set tonight. They are another step forward into the career of this delicious vocalist and songwriter and were more uptempo than the ballad heavy feel of her debut album. You can't stop the Lady from moving forward. And trust me, if all the songs are this good then you wouldn't want to. It was quite a thrill to hear these new songs more or less as they were written and undoubtedly destined to acquire a polished sheen and production when they finally see the light of day.

As well as her debut album, Harriet has released an album of cover versions and an EP of Universal Film Song covers - oh, a Christmas Album too. The beauty of selecting various covers for tonight's performance was a chance to hear them deconstructed and given these new treatments it breathed a new new life into some of the older songs. 

Take On Me

The nearest artist I can think of to compare Harriet with today is the obvious one, Rumer. Both have beautiful voices, both songwriters in their own right and both the splendid ability to choose a unusual song to cover and make their own.

Harriet explains tonight that many of the covers that she chooses are influenced by her parents record collections which she heard as she was growing up. And by the covers she chooses tonight, I reckon they are about the same age as myself.

As well as the splendid A HA cover of Take On Me she also pulls a jewel out of the bag with Gilbert O'Sullivan's Alone Again, Naturally.

Alone Again, Naturally

But she didn't neglect her own songs, many of a reflective nature, which obviously suits her voice.

Afterglow

What's Mine Is Yours

One of the best songs of more recent years was the brilliant You Get What You Give by songwriter Gregg Alexander aka The New Radicals. When I saw she had recorded this I thought it might have been her first misstep.  How wrong I was. It still keeps the ebullient nature of the nature with a smoother sound and Harriet's multitracked harmonies to the fore. Fabulous stuff, even in this stripped down version tonight.

You Get What You Give

There had already been several highlights in tonight's performance but the Highlight for me came later in the show where once again Harriet raids her parents' record collection to dig out a cover of David Gates (from the the band Bread) solo song Clouds, from his nine minute song suite. It sent shivers down my spine and had me rushing for David's 1978 album Goodbye Girl to give it a spin :) Absolutely beautiful. And Harriet, if you get to read this, RECORD IT!!!

David Gates - Clouds

Permission To Kiss is another Harriet uptempo number which slips perfectly into the new format and has everyone clapping along.

After a perfect evening of music, Harriet encourages some audience participation in the form of some singing backing vocals to the closer, The Story Of Your Life.

The Story Of Your Life

But the audience wanted more and Harriet wasn't about to disappoint an entranced Welsh audience so she left us on a high with her version of S Club 7's Reach (for the stars).which had everyone clapping and singing along. A perfect closer.

Reach

It was a splendid performance and it was great to see Harriet back at Acapela which in this format suits her voice even better. The new material is strong and bodes well for the next album. I just hopes the bigger she gets that she doesn't neglect my favourite small Welsh venue that love and appreciate great music and performances. Tonight had both.

The Official Harriet Website

Twitter - @HarrietsMusic

Live in 2019: China Crisis at Acapela Studios, Pentyrch, Cardiff on Saturday 19th October 2019

The return of China Crisis to the live stage is always an event and tonight visiting Acapela as part of their Retro Tour, they proved that they still have the skills and chops to produce a fantastic show.

Firstly though we were introduced to Norwegian Electronica and vibraphone player, Vidar Norheim for a short support set.

Crystalised

Now a Liverpool resident for over 20 years, he played a short but interesting set showing some lovely vibraphone skills while his keyboard and laptop carried his electronica. It was the perfect aperitif to what was to come. He had an enthusiastic reception to his music and it was great to hear the Vibraphone take centre stage again, literally.

It's been a while since China Crisis have been out on the road for a tour but they showed absolutely no signs of being ring rusty or complacent as part of the growing 80s music Revival Scene.

China Crisis have always been Gary Daly, Vocals (Keys on albums) & Eddie Lundon - Guitars & Vocals. Tonight they are accompanied by Jack Hymers - Keys & Vocals and Eric Animan -Sax. 

Many a word has been written on why people from Liverpool seem to have an in-built comedic strata that runs through their personalities but suffice to say Gary Daly could well have had a career in stand-up comedy. He was absolutely hilarious and had the crowd in stitches all night. This is an aspect that you never saw in their hit -laden catalogue or on their glossy 80s videos. But it went down a storm in the Chapel tonight. Perhaps I should explain a bit more.

It's Never Too Late

Tonight's show, as usual at Acapela is in two halves. But in Part One - the band have chosen to delve into the lesser played songs of their back catalogue. Plucking out album tracks and B sides that many of the audience probably haven't heard before but for the fans who loved the albums  it's a beautiful reveal of some brilliant songs that don't normally get their moments in the sun. Tonight they did.

During the first half, Gary took the opportunities to tell the stories behind the songs as they plucked tracks from the majority of their albums into the light. It's always a tight line to walk as to what to reveal about the show as I don't want to spoil the surprises for those yet to see it but hopefully give enough of a flavour to entice you to go and see the show for yourself. So for this half I'll do my most demure Victorian Lady and just reveal a slip of ankle.

They opened the set with the B Side of the hit Black Man Ray called It's Never Too Late, which itself could have been a hit.

As Gary told the stories related to the tracks, he really had the audience in stitches. but what shone through the first half was the quality of the songwriting and the performances, which minus drummer and bass, lost nothing in terms of emotion and on some songs even enhanced the listening experience.And it was especially pleasing to hear Michael Head and his bands The Pale Fountains and Shack get a mention. We were treated to nine songs in Part One and the band ended with a lovely version of Hands On The Wheel with Eddie Lundon taking over the lead vocals. So, no spoilers, just quality music  that deserves to be heard. Especially live. 

Hands On The Wheel

So - let's talk about Part 2 - the Hits & More. I would have loved to have heard the stories behind The Hits but time was against us as we would have needed a 5 hour show to get them all in - it was just wall to wall songs - all killer, no filler.

Part 2 kicks of with No More Blue Horizons from their debut album, Difficult Shapes And Passive Rhythms - Some People Think It's Fun To Entertain. What a title. But it's one of THE Best debut albums out there.

No More Blue Horizons

Next up we were treated to Arizona Sky (with some splendid audience participation on the backing vocals) and Best Kept Secret.

Arizona Sky

The crowd were now on their feet and the band had the audience in their hand. With songs of this quality, how could they fail? Another killer comes next in the form of Black Man Ray.

Black Man Ray

But there was ONE song that everyone had been waiting for and the band didn't disappoint as Gary, tambourine in hand, stood back  and let Eddie take the lead vocals for a swirlingly gorgeous version of Wishful Thinking. You would have thought that time would have affected the harmonies on this one, not a bit of it as Gary & Eddie are in fine voice all evening.

Wishful Thinking

King In A Catholic Style & Tragedy and Mystery just turned up the temperature as the crowd were now singing their hearts out and a Chapel full of Welsh voices is a wonderous thing.

King In A Catholic Style

Tragedy & Mystery

I have only ever been left loose once on the radio. Back in 1983 when I go to take in 10 albums to my local radio station in Swansea and play 10 tracks of my choice throughout the 3 hour show. I took a copy of  Difficult Shapes with me - and the song I chose just happened to be one of THE Best singles released that year - the brilliant Christian.

The guys tonight put a new twist on the song. Firstly by dimming ALL of the house lights and then inviting all of the audience to whip out their phones and switch their torches app on. It replaces the cigarette lighters of days gone by. The audience duly obliged and Gary and Eric whipped out their melodicas and gave an engaging and quite ethereal version of Christian. Which sent the crowd ecstatic.

Christian

With the 11 O'clock curfew upon we the guys managed to leave on a high and closed the evening with Sen Sports For All, the opening track of their debut album.

Seven Sports For All

So it was Mission Accomplished for the Boys From Liverpool. What a great gig it was.  With lots of hits not even getting a look in tonight. A brave move which amply rewarded both the casual observer and the avid fan - of which there were quite a few. Hopefully they'll be back in The Chapel soon. And if the audience reaction was anything to go by, it can't come quick enough.

Favourite Albums Of 2019: Norrie McCulloch - Compass

I got introduced to Scottish Singer/Songwriter Norrie McCullcoch through the excellent fortnightly radio show, The Quiet Revolution hosted by the music encyclopaedia that is Adam Wilson, which you can find tucked away on Harbourgh FM on Tuesday Nights, now between 9-11pm.
Click here to see my thought on The Quiet Revolution

 That was back in 2016 with his album These Mountain Blues. Now on his 4th LP, Norrie ploughs his own furrow in the business we know as Music. Hailing from Ayrshire, he continues to release his own albums, in his own time.

This, his latest release called Compass was funded as part of a Kickstarter crowd funding exercise for which I was proud to hand over my hard earned cash.

Norrie freely admits that he is often influenced by whatever he happens to be listening to at the time of writing and recording and for this album the influences are of the American Troubadours of the 60s & 70s including Tim Buckley, Fred Neil and Ted Lucas and even the Grateful Dead.

I'd add in some Simone Felice, early 70s Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Poco and James Taylor too.

Road Signs

Norrie records with a fluid, organic feel to his music and has done for all four of his releases.
He may not be the first Scot to look across the Atlantic for inspiration but he does so with a certain elan and panache. He is not afraid to hide his influences but to his credit he remains firmly his own man and in no way tries to adopt a Transatlantic accent.

Compass is performed by the following musicians - Norrie on Vocals and Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica and Vocals - Dave McGowan on Bass & Guitar -  Stuart Kidd on Drums, Percussion and Vocals - Shane Connolly on Drums & Percussion - Iain Thomson on Guitar & Mandolin and Marco Rea on Vocals

In and out at 40 minutes it sounds like a good old fashioned 70s singer/songwriter album and feels so much better than some of the 70 minute monoliths out there that feel like so much filler than killer. Especially if you opt for the rather lovely vinyl release which sounds gorgeous.
Every track feels placed and intended.

The album opens with the rather lovely Dear Lady Blue which brings me visions of The Band plying their trade over there in the Big Pink - kind of rambling and focused, if you know what I mean.

Next up is Road Sign, a current favourite which it's uptempo shuffle and lovely 70s style harmonies and lovely mandolin playing.

There are many shades on this album - Hollow Love with it's Waltz feel is a song of unfulfilled desire and yearning.

Compass , the title track is the 'epic' of the album with it's Peter Green Fleetwood Mac style guitar playing and it's gentle Congo accompanied smooth swing and cymbal brushes and harmonies, it sound like a mixture of old and new Mac - an interesting concept.

The closer, With You In My Life is another instant beauty - 12 String acoustic guitar, layered harmonies and softness, it seduces you into it's magic and has you instantly hitting the repeat. Perhaps something you wouldn't do if it was 70 minutes long.

Like a lot of excellent albums, it takes a long time to give up it's charms. You have to live with it for a while and let it slowly reveal it's beauty. I've always been a sucker for a 12 String acoustic and it's great to hear it in abundance in this album.

So let Norrie into your life if you like an honest to goodness singer songwriter who writes rather lovely songs and records and releases them in his own distinct manner.

You can get the album in cd or a rather lovely vinyl at his website - just click below.

The Official Norrie McCulloch Website

Twitter - @NorrieMcCulloch

Live in 2019: Zervas & Pepper live at Acapela Studios, Pentyrch, Cardiff on Saturday 5th October 2019

Two days after seeing one of the best gigs I've seen at Acapela with The Blackheart Orchestra, I find myself back in my seat for the second gig at Acapela in two days and by jove, it was another cracker. 

I've been telling Paul Zervas & Kath Pepper to play Acapela Studios for years. I could see the marriage of their glorious acoustic harmonies with the sonic possibilities of The Chapel would delight an Acapela crowd so it was with huge pleasure that I got to see this realised.

Paul & Kath were joined by their usual guitarist Simon Kingman on electric guitar and Charlie Piercy on Keyboard and electric guitar. And of course, the two Cigar Store Indians on silent backing vocals and intensive staring. The duo are currently riding high on the release of their latest album, Endless Road, Restless Nomad. So we were treated to a plethora of new material and some Sure Fire Hits from the Z&P Catalogue. It was more or less a hometown gig for the band and the crowd were certainly up for a good time.

They kicked off with 4 songs from the new album which established the form of the show (and albums for that matter) where Paul and then Kath take on lead vocal duties on each song.

So we get Cards, Sad Pariah, Endless Road and Restless Nomad.

Endless Road

Ever since the release of their debut album, Somewhere In The City, the band have been developing their own sound, based on the gorgeous harmonic blend of Paul & Kath's voices. Their sound is instantly recognisable in it's late 60s/early 70s West Coast instrumentation and harmonies. It brings some much needed sunshine into a rainy Cardiff evening as the remnants of Storm Lorenzo continue to push into the Welsh Coast. 

We are once again treated to the usual two set format which is now the staple of the vast majority of Acapela gigs. It was also a pleasure to hear yet new arrangements as we hear the songs without the usual Drums and Bass accompaniment. Charlie adding some extra electric is a pleasure as Paul sticks to his acoustic for the evening.

One of my favourite Z&P tunes came up next with the title track of their Abstract Heart album.

Abstract Heart

How many times does one of YOUR favourite artists namecheck Lord Byron in their between song banter? Well, Paul Zervas does as he introduces the next track, from the album Wilderland, Mazeppa and The Wild Horse. 

Now right in the groove of the evening, the band start to relax and have a bit of banter with the crowd and showed how humourous they are which is another dimension not seen in their recorded music but welcomed all the same. With it being in Cardiff, it was a crowd who already knew a lot of the songs played tonight but judging from the huge queue at the Merch Stand at the end of the evening they still managed to introduce some new converts into the world of Zervas & Pepper.

A few more songs later and we're at the end of Part One with a spirited two guitar attack of There Is Only Love from the latest album.

There Is Only Love

Part Two is dedicated to older material as we start the half with Hotel Bible - about those Gideon Bibles that are found in hotel room all over the world.

Yes, it is certainly a fan's favourite half as the next song is the gorgeous Living In A Small Town from the Lifebringer album which features Kath's gorgeous lead vocals. You really could close your eyes and imagine the smell of jasmine, magnolia and other exotic fragrances of Laurel Canyon. Well, I could anyway.

Living In A Small Town

On previous tours, the band have ended their set with one of their earliest songs, Cigar Store Indian, with it's audience participation on vocal chanting but in a change from previous years it doesn't finish the set tonight and the Acapela crowd gave it their best Indian Chanting.

The next two songs are also crowd favourites with One Man Show and King Of The Skies building on the success of this 'Greatest Hits' Part Two.

It's then the last song of the set as the band turn to Lifebringer once again for the excellent Buffalo Crow.

Buffalo Crow

But there was always the chance of an Encore. Z&P have always taken the opportunity to revisit some classic songs from the 70s in their shows in the form of delicious cover versions. Tonight we are treated to a lovely version of the Neil Young classic, Old Man from 1972's Harvest album. One day, I'd love to see a covers album of all of the cover songs that Paul & Kath have treated us to over the years. Although my suggestion of a KISS cover still goes unheeded. Maybe they're keeping Shout It Out Load for the album!!

Neil Young - Old Man

After some rapturous applause the band decide to leave the audience on an upbeat note as they treat us to the final song, the excellent Miller.

Miller

The end of a perfect Acapela Debut for Zervas & Pepper. They really have couldn't have played it better. The sound was brilliant, as usual at Acapela and the song choices had songs for fans old and new. And talking of old and new, the band have a great Crowdfunding Project at the moment as they are trying to get ALL of their albums - including the debut Somewhere In The City - which was limited on a cd release back in 2011, which contained songs like this beauty, released on Vinyl. The format which this band were made for.

Startin Over

So, if you want to invest in some beautiful songs on the perfect format for them you should click on the link below to check out the Project.

click for The ZERVAS & PEPPER Vinyl Project

click for The Official Zervas & Pepper Website

Twitter - @zervaspepper

Live in 2019: The Blackheart Orchestra at Acapela Studios on Thursday 3rd October 2019

It was an intrepid soul who ventured out into the night to brave Storm Lorenzo on Thursday night. The Motorways had been closed as the big machines did their work to try to clear the flooding further down the M4 towards Neath. But hey, nothing was going to stop me and my gigging 'husband' Craig as we left the ladies at home and headed towards Acapela Studios to see the rescheduled gig by Chrissy Mostyn & Richard Pilkington aka The Blackheart Orchestra.

I've been waiting for the guys to come to Wales for quite some time and to get them in the Acapela was a dream come true. Yes, the audience could have been and should have been larger but considering the conditions outside it didn't really come as a shock. But it didn't spoil the evening one jot and for those who missed out - you missed out Big Time. And for those fans who knew what they were in for, they were Magnificent.

The band are about to release album number 5 - Mesmeranto on October 11 and it was a chance to hear some of the new music in a live setting and get a good preview of the forthcoming release after being teased by the rather intriguing pre-release video.

As is normally the case with Acapela performances, the show is split into two halves - tonight over 2 hours of quality music. The band kicked off with the suitably titled Hypnotize from their last album Diving For Roses. The sound in Acapela as usual was phenomenal and the band's choice of vintage keyboards, including a rather gorgeous Omnichord, filled the Chapel with glorious swirling sounds and incredible dynamics.

Chrissy & Richard played instruments tonight that included Keyboards, Bass, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitars and Electronic Drums.

It's pretty hard to pigeon hole the sound of The Blackheart Orchestra - it varies from song to song on their albums. Some call them Prog, some call them New Electronica, at the end of the day they are incredibly gifted singer songwriters who choose a varied way to present their songs to the world. Hopefully, if you're sufficiently engaged you will seek out their albums and judge for yourself.

There are some influences that are impossible to ignore. If Kate Bush had a musical daughter, then she'd almost certainly be in the mould of Chrissy Mostyn. Adventurous in sound and form, she has the enquiring spirit of Kate and can be traced over the four so far released albums. And in Richard, Chrissy has a partner who has the skills and vision of a seasoned Multi-instrumentalist and brings the songs to life with a multitude of colours and sonic adventures.

As what is to be expected on this latest tour, the band took the opportunity to play the majority of their new album Mesmeranto. And what a great album this is going to be and I'll discuss this on another Blog page later in the year. Suffice to say following the rather dramatic year the Band has just experienced the album has shades galore of light and dark and everything in-between.

Below is the Acapela performance of the band's current single, Left To Right from Mesmeranto.

Left To Right

The show included tracks from most of the band's albums including Sebastian and Hey, Pluto.

Sebastian

The swooping vocals and harmonies generated by Richard and Chrissy are breathtaking and with a little electronic trickery. fill the Chapel with a multitude of voices akin to a choir. It is very emotional and moving.

Hey Pluto

A lot of the music of The Blackheart Orchestra is visual and cinematic in scope and presentation and in the intimate setting of Acapela gives an extra dimension to the evening. The audience in Acapela is very attentive to this type of music and in the quieter passages you could literally have heard a pin drop. Truly inspirational to experience.

Breathe

With the new songs fitting beautifully into the set, this new show should lift The Blackheart Orchestra into another level, both in performance and success. Every Band seems to have a point in their career where all of the stars seem to align, and I think for the Blackheart Orchestra, this could be that time. So I cannot urge you strongly enough to ensure you catch the band on this tour before they really go stratospheric

In Another Lifetime

After nearly two hours of music where the band had covered all the bases and left the audience inevitably wanting more, there was time for one more spine tingling moments before we all headed off back into the storm that was battering Ireland and Wales that evening. And they chose to go all the way back to the beginning. 

Invisible

With a request from the audience, Chrissy & Richard come back onto he stage for one final song - an absolutely showstopping (or closing) version of one of their first songs, Invisible. And the audience just took it in for a second when it finished and gave it the rapturous applause it deserved.

It was a truly memorable evening and for those lucky enough to attend, it is a night they will never forget. I just hope Chrissy & Richard decide they want to come back to Acapela because if they ever had a Welsh spiritual home, it would be there.

Buy Mesmeranto here

click for the Official The Blackheart Orchestra Website

Twitter - @blackheartorch