With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

Absolute Bowie – The Crescent York, Friday 20th September 2024 October 6, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 8:50 pm
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Many of you are probably aware that I have never been a huge fan of tribute acts and I have only seen a handful over the years. Some that were very good and many that, let’s say politely, weren’t. As far as David Bowie tribute acts went I really wasn’t interested, but then I went to Fibbers in York in January 2017, a year after David Robert Jones’ death to see Absolute Bowie. Let me be completely honest, I really didn’t want to enjoy it, but I did. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I have now seen Absolute Bowie five times including this 2024 show at the wonderful Crescent in York. To paraphrase the words of the Dame himself I had drunk a lot (well a couple of glasses) of wine and I was feeling fine and ready for a night of Bowie nostalgia. I was lucky enough to see the real David Bowie 13 times. That is never going to happen again, so I am happy to accept a classy show from Absolute Bowie, fronted by probably the best Bowie tribute in the world, John O’Neill.

This tour consisted of two sets. The first was an early 70s Ziggy fest, second was a a great selection of mostly 80s hits. The costume changes in the first set were truly spectacular and included facsimiles of many of Ziggy’s weirdest and most extravagant costumes. All the classic Ziggy period tunes were there. Every one of them a highlight for me “All The Young Dudes” was the best moment of the first set. The Spiders costumes were spot on too, especially Mick Ronson a.k.a Andy Marr. But it wasn’t just Marr’s costume that was perfect, so was his emulation of Ronson’s greatest riffs. The singalong opportunities provided by the second set were incredible and I reckon everyone in the house was singing. “Fashion” and “Cracked Actor” really tested my vocal chords. Ending the show with “Heroes” is always a good sign too. I would urge any Bowie fans who feel negative towards tribute acts to get yourselves along to an Absolute Bowie night. (There are a lot of shows still to come on this tour). We know it’s not the real thing, but it is certainly the closest you are ever likely to come. A truly maximum rock ‘n’ roll night and immense fun remembering the Dame in all his glory!

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“Law & Order” – Casii Stephan, Crys Matthews and Jay Burgess

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 7:58 pm
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Deep in my soul, I have always held a belief that most people are good and that most people are not racist, sexist, homophobic, and many other hate positions. Sadly it feels like those numbers are growing so it is refreshing and wonderful to hear the new single, “Law & Order”, from Tulsa-based singer-songwriter Casii Stephan featuring social justice warrior, proud black woman, and LGBTQ+ folk singer-songwriter Crys Matthews, and acclaimed producer and musician Jay Burgess. The song discusses racism and just how prevalent it is in the USA. The principle fits for other countries too, certainly mine, the UK. The song is a poignant acoustic and gorgeous piece of music that takes on racism. Lyrically it is heartfelt and clear in its message. Casii Stephan said this about the song, “In the South, politics takes on a different flavor. We say we’ve progressed and in many ways we have. At the same time, racial slurs shouted from cars and pickup trucks just because they can isn’t abnormal. And that’s not even getting into how our justice system is skewed, bent, and twisted. It seems we keep singing the same song in new ways over and over again. In the middle of 2021, I started writing this song. Then in 2023, I met Jay and Crys and asked them if they would write their perspective about their respective states. This is Law & Order. To those fighting to make our justice system more just and less racist, thank you.” It is up to all of us to ensure that good will prevail and we need to continue this fight until it does!

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‘Githerments In Groove’ – Gents & Ginger

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:49 pm
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York band Gents and Ginger have got a funk box and they know how to use it! Their recently released album, ‘Githerments In Groove’ showcases their steadfast talent for being as funky as hell. There are a few great instrumental workouts on the album. “Ricke” opens proceedings with an explosion of joy while “Abience For A Kebab Shop Pt II” oozes the style and ability of some of the great funk bands from the past to rock out. I think I prefer the songs here that feature vocals and the first of those to appear is “Turtle”, musically it has the feel of the classic Bowie band from the 1974 American tour. “4 Silly Balls”, what a great title that is, and “Style Control” power on like extended versions of one of the jazzed up interludes that Earth, Wind, and Fire included in their best 70s albums. There is a strong 80s synth-pop vibe in “Those Were The Days” and this gorgeous story song is one of the best on the album. On “Hardware Store” the band gives a very British take on George Clinton. This probably just about shades it as my favourite track on this fine collection.

Gents & Ginger join a club of great artists that have recorded a song about tea, this includes Kacy Musgraves, the Police, Nirvana, the Kinks, and Led Zeppelin to name just a few. The song, “Social Tea”, has some great Steely Dan and Boz Scaggs feeling in it. I was reminded of early Commodores tracks like “Machine Gun” while listening to “Bunk Bed” and “Hi-Vis Activator”. The album closes with the heartbreakingly beautiful “Don’t Delete The Playlist”. This is perfect as a late-night chill-out tune. It would fit perfectly on Angela Griffin’s Radio 2 show. The band explained the album title saying “Githerments is defined as a collection of unmatching things, much like the contents of the album, yet they are all somehow in groove with one another.” It would be hard not to agree with that statement! This is a great album, if I have one minor complaint it would be that at just under 32 minutes it is too short, but it really is a rewarding way to spend 32 minutes of your time!

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“Adamas” – Liz Davinci October 4, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 11:21 pm
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Liz Davinci’s elegantly resplendent new single “Adamas” is out now. It is a gorgeous and deep Baroque Pop piano ballad that draws on some Tori Amos influences and an undercurrent of Kate Bush. The piano coda at around 4 minutes 30 seconds has some sublime similarities to the piano sound on Kate Bush’s breakthrough hit “Wuthering Heights” from 1978. The lyrics are potentially dark and yet uplifting too. I particularly love the lines “She never gives in. Even if it means. She has to sin“

I believe the song is about being invincible or unconquerable as Adamas in Greek Mythology Adamas means unconquerable (Ancient Greek: Ἀδάμαντα’). Adamas was a Phrygian participant during the Trojan War. He was the son of the Phrygian leader Asius, King Dymas’s son, and Phaenops’s brother. Adamas was killed by Meriones. It is a haunting tune that slowly infects you, making you want to hear it repeatedly.

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“Come On Outside” – ALT BLK ERA October 3, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 11:03 pm
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ALT BLK ERA are back with a new single, “Come On Outside”, from their forthcoming debut album ‘Rave Immortal’. Try and pigeon-hole this band at your peril they comfortably play fantastically well at multiple music genres. “Come On Outside” has a riotous, riff-laden grunge feel to carry its positive message. The chorus is alive and takes up residence in your brain almost immediately after the first listen. Chaya wrote the song for her sister Nyrobi and had this to say about it “For two years my sister was bed-ridden with a chronic illness that shot waves of pain throughout her body. The doctors couldn’t figure out what it was. I thought I was going to lose her. Thankfully, with lots of support, she is slowly getting better and she now has strong medication that helps her to manage the pain. This song is my message for Nyrobi, for you, and for anyone else who has faced physical or emotional challenges.” Based on this and other recent releases from this incredibly talented band I am going to take the bold step of saying that the debut album, due out early next year, will be a contender for album of the year 2025!

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“Aggravate Me” – Read The Room September 29, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 7:45 pm
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Read The Room is a classy rock band based in Norwich in the UK that formed in 2023. They are made up of Alana Beardsley-Best on rock goddess vocal duties, Adam Hearth and Alex London, both axemen extraordinaire, Dan Dawson bass boss and Elle Steele who bangs the drums as though her life depends on it. They have a new single out called “Aggravate Me”. The sublime sonic mix has raging riffs, hard-hitting hooks, and in Alana’s voice, a key to rock’s top table! Get this band in your life now so that you can say that you were there near the start when they become planet-straddling mega stars!

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“Not Now Kids” – Dolores Forever September 28, 2024

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 11:06 pm
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The new Dolores Forever single, taken from their recent album ‘It’s Nothing’ oozes teenage angst and anger and is a powerful youth anthem. The track takes aim at patronising politicians. The band had this to say about the song, “This was the last song we wrote for the album, it’s a bit of a scathing look at the world and the people who are running it with impunity, the feeling of being told to shut up while watching your house burn. What can we say, we love an apocalyptic bop.” I too love an apocalyptic bop and this is a song that I would happily play while the world ended. I hope that doesn’t happen, but if it does you really should give this tune a try out!

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“Tiny War” – amilost

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:44 pm
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“Tiny War” is a huge new song from amilost. You know when you have those ridiculously stupid arguments with the one you love, perhaps your soulmate? Well, I think that is what this undeniably awesome slice of synth-driven pop-rock, with some ethereal and heavenly string parts, is all about. Ross Leslie of the duo says “It was written on the day Sigrid broke up with her boyfriend,” vocalist Sigrid added “Tiny War is about the end of a relationship. It’s about trying everything to make it work, including changing yourself so much that you almost don’t recognise who you are anymore. In the end, you realise that you have to let it go.” So not quite what I heard on the first pass, but it is a truly wonderful modern ballad.

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“I’ll Be Free” – The Velvet Hands

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:10 pm
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The Velvet Hands have unleashed the first taster for their upcoming 3rd album. The song is called “I’ll Be Free” and it is a full-on 21st-century punk onslaught that would make the Strokes jealous. It is hook heaven and riff rapture combined in a powerful punky rock anthem that grabs you tight and does not let you go. The NME said that the Velvet Hands are “full of bolshy spirit” and this track proves it!

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“Time Is Out” – Saliva Birds

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 8:47 pm
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The Saliva Birds are a band that I have still not managed to see play live, but I hope to rectify that soon! In the meantime, they have just released a wonderful new single “Time Is Out”. There is a poignant tone and the tune is filled with heart-filled pathos. It has a great upbeat rocking feel and hooks aplenty, but the subject matter is not the happiest. But in spite of all that it steadfastly remains an uplifting tune. At times it made me think of early U2. Chris from the band described the song as “It’s a very personal track about coming to terms with a parent with dementia and mourning their loss even though they’re still with us.” This is something that, sadly, many of us might come to experience. Will this song fix all that, no it won’t, but it will be one small part of helping you stay positive. Music can be wonderfully helpful in helping people with dementia remember things and that can never be a bad thing! “Time Is Out” deserves to be listened to, do it now, that is an order!

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