Karnataka returned to the Chapel as part of a Tour to promote their latest album, Requiem For A Dream.
Carrying on from last year's selection of dates the band have had a change in line up once more.
Main Man Ian Jones remains as always on Bass and now he is joined by lead vocalist Sertari and lead guitarist Luke Machin who both appear on the new album.
This time however on Keyboards we have Rob Wilsher and on Drums/Percussion it's Jack Summerfield.
The band played a two part set with heavy emphasis on the new album. Indeed, throughout the night they played every track from the album. The theme of the album is very much about climate change and most of the songs carry this message.
The band kick off with the lead track from the new album, All Around The World.
The previous incarnation of the band featured the fabulous Hayley Griffiths on Vocals, she was very much the English Rose and rocked out with the Band with that fabulous soaring operatic voice.
Sertari is almost the complete opposite, her look is very much Eastern and her movements are more sensuously Eastern as is the music on the new album. New people bring new ideas and colours to the music and it shows in this performance. She has grown so much into her role as front woman, even from last years debut she seems much more confident which was great to see.
Next up was another very strong song from Requiem, The Night's Dance.
The Night's Dance
The album that the band are performing here tonight is possibly the strongest they've ever produced. And this is the band that brought us the Award winning album Secrets Of Angels, so that's saying something.
You can tell that they know that they've produced a winner as confidence oozed from every musician on the stage.
Talking of Secrets Of Angels - next song up was the only SOA track of the night - The Road To Cairo.
Sertari tackled the song with grace and aplomb. It's amazing how every new Karnataka vocalist manages to make the older songs their own. I suspect the hand of Ian Jones here working with the vocalist, guiding them through the song.
The Road To Cairo
For the next two songs we head back to 2000 and the album, The Storm.
We are treated to Dreamer before Ian, Luke & Sertari take to their stools for an acoustic version of The Journey. I love hearing these acoustic, stripped back versions of the songs as I always assume it must sound as they were written.
For the final track of Part 1 we are back with the Requiem album and the tuneful Forgiven.
The new album is such a tuneful album and even with it's dramatic religious Latin closing section, it still holds it's sense of melody.
As if by magic - it's Part 2 and the band return with a bang with the epic Say Goodbye Tomorrow from the Requiem album. And it's another song full of melody and drama. If singles were a thing these days, it would certainly be a contender in whatever chart would be relevant these days.
SAY GOODBYE TOMORROW
The band stick with requiem for the rest of the set and we are straight into Sacrifice, another song that showcases Sertari's vocal dexterity. It's a sultry mix with another killer chorus and a chance for Luke to make some pinpoint fluid licks. Luke has been fabulous all night as indeed have Rob and Jack who have selflessly laid histrionics aside and have chosen to just serve the music, Jack by giving it the drama and solidity and Rob by giving the music it's multitude of colours and flavours.
And in charge of it all we have The Guvnor - Ian Jones who literally holds it all together and provides the visual foil for Sertari's sensuous movements.
My favourite song on Requiem comes next. As Feels Like Home was my favourite on Secrets Of Angels due to it's tuneful, almost film soundtrack quality, so Don't Forget My Name plays the same role on Requiem. It's even in the same place, just before the Epic title track. You could definitely hear it on some top movie as the credits roll. and Luke plays a blinding solo. It really comes alive live, so to speak.
Don't Forget My Name
Which leads us to the final song of the set, and of Requiem, the epic 25 minute title track, Requiem To A Dream. I'm not going to go into it here, I'll save that for my albums Of 2023 Blog. Suffice to say it is up there with all those other great Karnataka epics such as Gathering Light and Secrets Of Angels.
It gives plenty of room for ALL of the band to shine and get their moment in the sun.
'WE KEEP DANCING IN THE RAIN'
Requiem For A Dream
But........ There's always room for an encore!!
The band return to the stage and unveil a beautiful new version of fan favourite Forsaken, from the Gathering Light album, 13 years old this year, Bathed in Purple and finally Green light, the band played it beautifully I can guarantee I wasn't the only old man with a tear in his eye at the end of the show. And anyone who knows the song will know it has an epic instrumental ending with all hands on deck and one monumental guitar solo which Luke made his own tonight to a massive round of applause.
and then, it was over. 2 Hours of music just flew by. The band must have been delighted with the response they got to the new material. Sertari really has settled in SO well and brought yet another dimension to the Karnataka music, I just hope she stays around for another tour where she gets her chance to sing some of the Karnataka favourites like Gathering Light, Secrets of Angels and Delicate Flame Of Desire,
OK, firstly, let's have some context. I'd been waiting to see this show for many years now.
Robinson Stone are one of the few acts enlightened enough to cover the songs of one of the best singer songwriters of the 70s - the UK's Clifford T Ward.
Now an almost forgotten man in musical terms - he remains one of our best singer songwriters and in the mid 70s he released 6 classic albums that sealed his legacy.
1. 1972 - Singer-Songwriter 2. 1973 Home Thoughts
3. 1973 - Mantel Pieces 4. 1975 - Escalator
5. 1975 - No More Rock N Roll 6. 1976 Waves
He released a few more albums in the 70s & 80s but they didn't match the quality or gentle grandeur of those 1970s releases.
Over the years his style has been described as pastoral, literate and very English. I wouldn't disagree with this but I think he was much more.
Clifford started his career in bands of the 1960's and was writing songs including this one.
Simon's Secrets - Keeping My Head Above Water
He soon found himself a solo artist and was known for being rather, demanding, in the studio. Wanting his releases to sound the best they could be in terms of sound and arrangement.
The one thing he would not do however would be to take his music on Tour. This definitely affected his career. While he saw those other singer songwriters like Cat Stevens reach the heights of fame, Clifford chose his own path. He studied to be a teacher and the education he received then changed his perspective on life and showed up in his work in the lyrics he produced.
Tragically, his career was cut short by him developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which produces some awful symptoms - it's a condition I know very well as my wife has it - so I can imagine what effect it has on a man who needed his coordination and mental faculties to get the best out of his talent.
But he is still highly regarded in the Musician's Circles.
Clifford T has such an interesting story and I am only scratching the surface here. I urge you to seek out his recordings and there is a lovely documentary which features his wife Pat called 'Oh and by the way'.
So, to the show itself.
Robinson Stone are siblings
Dan (guitar/vocals) Leyna (Bass, Guitar, Flute & Vocals
Dean - (Keyboards/Vocals)
The show consisted of about 30 songs from all areas of Clifford's career.
The sound was crystal clear and the band treated the songs with the respect they deserved. Concentrating on the quieter, more reflective songs by which Clifford is more well known.
In a wise move, they kept the chat to a minimum and that allowed them to give maximum time to the songs.
Sidetracked
Clifford T Ward - Gaye
Robinson Stone - Gaye
All of the siblings are fine musicians in their own right and it showed throughout the performance. With 30 songs played on the evening it gave them all a chance to shine and take the lead, which they were all more than capable of. And a big shout out to the Acapela audience who once again respected the music and you could have heard a pin drop while the band played.
Clifford T Ward - Home Thoughts From Abroad
Clifford T ward - Scullery
I won't mention every song that was played on the night but suffice to say all of Clifford's albums were covered and it was a fabulous introduction to the music that most of you out there have probably never heard. I have put the setlist towards the bottom of the review for those who may be interested in compiling a playlist.
Gentle
Below you will find an hour's worth of performance video of Robinson Stone performing the songs of Clifford T Ward for you to enjoy which will say much more than any review can. Play it on your TV for the full effect.
Robinson Stone also record their own music, which you really should seek out. Their album is called Skywatcher, and it's a lovely thing.
Skywatcher
The Setlist
Whatever shows I attend there is always a song that doesn't get played. On this night it was Wherewithal which in all fairness wouldn't have sounded in place on an evening of mainly ballads.
Wherewithal
So now that hopefully I have piqued your interest in the world of Clifford T Ward, where do you go? I think you should start with the album Home Thoughts. CDs & Albums are hard to find but if you have access to a streaming service you can probably find it on there and it's definitely on Youtube.
I'll start off by saying that this Review won't follow my usual template.
Why?
Because I forgot to write down the setlist. Yes, I do physically try and write down the setlist for each gig I review in a pad - I'm old school like that. But One song in to the main event and I got so carried up in the magic I forgot to write down the songs that were played.
So, I will include the setlist from the next gig in Southampton. The majority of the songs were identical I have been informed since.
Just to say Franck and I have history for this gig!! The first time I've got to see Franck and the Squad.
I was due to see him twice over the last 3 years but on each time I've had Covid. Talk about bloody annoying. But here we are, third time lucky and the night has finally arrived.
I've never seen a gig here in the Social Club despite having spent considerable time here in Sandfields where my wife comes from. My bad really. The stage is upstairs and is perfect for what we are about to receive, with it's built up front edge leading down to the dance floor which allows the artists to come down into the dance floor whilst still being somewhat elevated.
A decent crowd has arrived there tonight, maybe enticed by local hero Brian Karrot who is providing the support slot with his band.
The Sun King
Don't Breathe It In
After a short break Franck and The Fantastic Squad take to the stage. Arriving on the stage to a tape containing snippets of Gabriel, Van Halen and Supertramp, it gives you a taste of the influences which have made a stamp on Franck's music.
For gig goers of a certain vintage, of which I am definitely one, I can remember the shows of Alice Cooper, Kiss, Alex Harvey, Queen etc. The days of a good old fashioned SHOW!! An Event!! A Larger Than Life Experience. And Franck & The Squad brought back the Good Old Days tonight. By the bucketload.
Now, if you had to create a Rock band back in the 70s, what would be your template?
Charismatic Lead Singer & Bass Player - Tick
Drummer who can actually sing too - Tick
Solid and Visually attractive Keyboard player - Tick
Visually Magnetic Multi Instrumentalist who could also sing lead Vocals - Tick
Lead Guitar Rock God - Tick
Achilles
Franck and the Fantastic Squad tick every box. But, I hear you cry, this isn't the 70s!!!
My answer to that would be - The Template Still Works. Like the template for a Fender Stratocaster still works. You can add your tweaks and changes but the design still works. Even in a contemporary setting with contemporary sounds.
So we have Franck Carducci - Lead Vocals, Bass & Acoustic Guitar
Lea Fernandez - Drums & Vocals
Cedric Selzer - Keyboards & Vocals
Mary Reynaud - Lead & Backing Vocals, Guitar, Tambourine, Tuned Percussion & Theremin
Barth Sky - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Artificial Paradises
At the moment, Franck has three studio albums
Oddity (2011) Torn Apart (2015) The Answer (2019)
and two live albums
Tearing The Tour Apart 92015) The Answer Live (2023)
and an acoustic album with Mary entitled Naked (2023)
I have seen some people call this show a Rock n Roll Circus - I find this slightly derogatory as it's a cohesive show, not a collection of different acts. Plus, I can't abide the Circus!!
The show is well paced. It kicks off with a rocker in Slave To Rock n Roll and from there ebbs and flows in darkness, light and dynamism for almost 2 hours.
Slave to Rock n Roll
There are, of course, built in set pieces which allow all of the members of the band to shine, especially Mary Reynaud who is just luminescent throughout the whole performance.
Franck even goes solo for one song, Sweet Cassandra, which is a good indication of one of my Albums of 2023 - Naked - his acoustic album with Mary Reynaud which is an absolute joy.
S & M
The live shows are drawn from the three albums. With songs ranging from short and sharp to lengthy epics there really is something for everyone on a Franck album if you're into your Classic Rock
As I said earlier, I got so carried away in the show I forgot to take down the setlist - so this is from their gig the following night in Southampton
Musically, the band were on superb form and the award for making the most of his time in the spotlight went to Barth Sky as he displayed his skills throughout every song and relished his time soloing - often down near the crowd and lapped up the applause like a great Rock God should.
A Brief Tale Of Time
The Angel
There are two fabulous show stopping songs in which Mary Reynaud shines like the star she is. Firstly we have the as yet unrecorded Angel, not only a showcase for Mary's vocal ability but also figuratively and literally a chance to spread her wings and let her voice soar to the heavens. A truly awesome moment.
If anybody was going to steal the show from Franck tonight it was Mary Reynaud.
Visually, she is so Magnetic. Beautiful Gallic looks help but with her costume changes, theatricality and superb voice and musicianship, you just couldn't take your eyes off her. And the show was structured to give her ample time for her costume changes and to weave her spell amongst the audience.
She also took advantage on several occasions to get down and closer to the audience.
The second Show Stopping Moment comes in the shape of the epic Alice's Eerie Dream which sees Mary take on the character of Alice. I'll say no more or I'll spoil the surprise in store. Suffice to say it's pretty unforgettable.
Alice's Eerie Dream
The show tonight just flew at the speed of light and soon we were down to the final song as Franck and the band quit the stage to come down into the audience and play an acapella version of The Road To Nowhere.
I doubt if Port Talbot had seen anything like Franck and the Squad before but they are coming back in 2024. On St David's Day no less. And yes, Franck understands the importance of the date in Wales. His reply to me when I asked him about it was PARTY PARTY!! You Bet, Franck!!
