Sometimes, if you're really lucky, someone from up above shines a light on you and bestows some goodness your way. Mark Shaw is one such man, not only did he inherit a beautiful face, he also inherited a more than decent voice. From the moment he nonchalantly ambled onto stage tonight he was every inch the STAR, OK, he may be older (aren't we all) and lost the glow of youth but those cheekbones could still cut silk and that voice is as powerful as ever.
I'd been looking forward to this gig since it was announced as I didn't get a chance to see him live back in 1987 when he really hit it big. but just to hear Sugar Box live - for me one of THE best songs of the 80s - would be enough. But he gave SO much more.
Mark brought a friend for the evening - Ollie Brum played a guitar with a multiple of looped pedals and effects which gave layers to the songs throughout the evening. Acoustic at Acapela is always the perfect choice.
Mark has only released one album following the 2 first Then Jerico albums - and album called Almost back in 1991 and chose his opening song from this album - Love So Bright. It's a splendid album and I really have no idea why it didn't give him the solo career her deserved at that point. The God of Music moves in mysterious ways.
Love So Bright
Throught the night, Mark concentrated on songs from the first two Then Jerico albums and Always. I won't state which album they are from, if you're a fan you'll know, if not just go look it up!
What Does It Take managed to retain it's power with Ollie and his box of tricks and especially Mark's voice which was now warming up nicely. The album track had Belinda Carlisle singing on it, tonight we had the Acapela Audience instead.
What Does It Take
It's hard to imagine, you may have be had to be there back in the day but especially on second album, The Big Area, ANY of those tracks would have made a great single and the quality of the songs on that album in particular sound fabulous tonight. Stripped of their production sheen gives another aspect to these songs which most people haven't heard before, unless they've seen this acoustic show.
Tracks in Part 1 of the show such as Song For The Broken Hearted, A Quiet Place and Helpless really showed the quality those two early albums had. Surely Cherry Red must see some value in doing a decent rerelease as they've done with the Haircut100 album Pelican West - get on it guys!
To the comment of 'now for some decent song writing' Mark embraced his inner Camp and gave a stunning performance of Bowie's Jean Genie which is NOTHING like the original, Thank God. Mick Ronson's riffs would sound shite om an acoustic, trust me.
It's then time for another track from Mark's solo album, Always - so we are treated to Tidal Wave
Tidal Wave
Part 1 closes with the uptempo Reelin'
What the public don't see is the sense of humour Mark has throughout the evening which is the total opposite of his cool Rock Star image but allowed the audience to take him to their heart for the evening and beyond no doubt.
Reelin'
After a short break it was time for Part 2 as Mark came on fully dressed once more and this time donning some shades and gave us a beautiful performance of Let Her Fall
Let Her Fall
In 1998, Mark brought back Then Jerico for one album - Orgasmophobia. Perhaps not the best title but he did perform one song from it tonight - Some People.
Some People
We then turn to some of the better known songs. First up Muscle Drop and then Where You Lie
As I said at the beginning, the next song is one of my All Time Favourites - the gorgeous Sugar Box.
Tonight he had the added help on vocals from Bari Goddard who is an artist, photographer and vocalist of the band Knives. It's a special song and brought back so many happy memories for this aged blogger
Sugar Box
The Motive keeps the audience at boiling point and I must say the Acapela audience was in fine voice tonight.
The song that Mark thought most of the audience were waiting for ended the show - the fabulous Big Area.
Big Area
So there was no way on earth that the boys were going to get out without an encore.
Darkest Hour gave way to Mark's favourite song - Bari was brought back onstage and they launched into an energetic version of The Rolling Stones classic - Sympathy For The Devil complete with the audience Whoo Whooing it right to the very end.
I thought Mark's first visit to The Chapel was a triumph. As my legs have now given up on me and my domestic circumstances mean I cannot leave South Wales for gigs, I may never see Mark again.
I hope he takes the same path as one of my biggest musical heroes, Nick Heyward and continue to work on new material. He definitely still has the voice. Let's hope that this new activity in the Then Jerico or Mark Shaw camp prompts him in that direction again. And hopefully he will play Acapela again. And this time I will shake his hand and thank him, if only for Sugar Box.
All photos copyright ©️ Nick Baker 2023
Twitter - @THENJERICO
Thank you Nick - Bari x
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