Articles and galleries
Free Galaxy at the Leamington Peace Festival
Photo gallery
by Paul Englefield,
Jun 18 2019
This Fathers' Day lark is pretty good and I certainly didn't turn my nose up at a Dad-size bacon butty and a fresh bottle to add to the family gin stash.
Nonetheless I did sneak down to the Peace Festival to catch Free Galaxy on the advice of Peter Drew, Tim Rogers and many others who know their rock from their roll. It turned out to be an outrageously potent delivey of strong original material fuelled by massive double guitar riffage, anchored by a energetic bass groove and powered along by powerhouse drumming. Not your father's rock band - even on Fathers' Day.
Ubergine at Temperance
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by Paul Englefield,
Jun 09 2019
Haunting vocals over compelling rhythms and dancing basslines. A fantastic night out with Ubergine at Temperance.
The Lounge Club at the Leamington Beer and Music festival 2018
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by Paul Englefield,
Sep 18 2018
For a sophisticated latin-tinged jazz combo, the Lounge Club clearly knew when to turn on a rock and roll attitude to complement the 75+ beers and ciders on offer at the Leamington Beer and Music Festival.
To a casual listener, it served up a high energy groove layered with dramatic stagecraft; but listen more carefully and you could hear the subtle rhythms, intelligent voicings and spacious phrasing that mark seasoned jazz performance. Perfect stuff for a packed hall in the mood to party.
Crokodile tears - Hippies in plain clothes
Review
by Paul Englefield,
Aug 13 2018
In the classic rock arena, it's the epic themes that matter, burning casinos, the desperate camaraderie of the battlefield and the countdown to Armageddon. However, in the intimate theatre setting of the Magic Lantern, Crokodile Tears chose to reflect on the small, personal experiences that quietly bring meaning to life. A set rich in vivid imagery and crafted language offered songs exploring topics ranging from saturday girls to egg and chips via 60's guitars, hippies and Dr. John Dee. (Who's he anyway? Look him up, he's probably the most interesting of the Elizabethans.) It was wry, gentle, and sharply observed but always fun and the trio presented their set with a self-deprecating charm that masked a keen musical intelligence.
Although very much about the songs and stories, the 'Crocs' (to their friends enhanced this lyrically detailed material with guitar arrangements rich in texture and rhythmic interest. I was intrigued by the subtle interplay between three guitarists with distinct styles but a clear focus on creating a unified sound with a detailed groove.
The venue, The Magic Lantern, is a cosy cellar theatre in a warren of art-filled rooms below the Temperance coffee shop. It's a magical atmosphere for adventurous gigs with a layout that encourages rapport and banter between performers and music lovers. There's more at http://www.temperance.bar.
You can catch Crokodile Tears at the Alternative Sounds gig on 29th September at the Zephyr Lounge and again at Hot Music Live Introducing on 20th October also at the Zephyr.
Chasing Deer at Art in the Park 2018
Photo gallery
by Paul Englefield,
Aug 06 2018
An upbeat set of well-chosen classics and catchy melodic originals. Chasing Deer gave an energetically precise performance with strong vocal delivery and some crisp disciplined guitar work.
From the back catalogue
Jazz jam at the Somerville
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by Paul Englefield, 22 Jul 2018
A great nights' jamming with the Loungers, the Clubbers and their guests tackling tunes from the Great American Songbook through to modal ...
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SugarDaddies Blues Party
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by Paul Englefield, 20 Jun 2018
Very much at home in the snug charm of the Somerville arms, the Blues Party sits comfortably between a classy blues gig and a flexible session.
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Grand Central Big Band at Brackley
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by Paul Englefield, 13 May 2018
Here are all 20 of the Great Central Big Band who deliver bold, sophisticated Mike Kemp arrangements of jazz standards from the big band era and ...
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Walking the dog; we chat to Paul Swanson about learning and teaching guitar
Interview
by Paul Englefield, 22 Feb 2018
Fearlessly challenging the boundaries of community journalism, I'm chatting to Paul Swanson while being hassled round Leamington's Jephson ...
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Deja Vu and friends at the Somerville
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by Paul Englefield, 13 Feb 2018
Somewhere in the indeterminate zone between a gig and a jam session, Deja Vu and friends featured a brace of energetic Dejas, Midweeks and ...
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Bash Street Blues Band at the Somerville
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by Paul Englefield, 11 Jan 2018
Frankly, it's a bit of a shock to stroll into the Somerville on a Thursday and see a line of Marshals and Fenders rather than the usual ...
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Hot Music Live talks to Rob Low at Enterlude
Interview
by Paul Englefield, 20 Nov 2017
It may be a chilly November afternoon but here in Rugby's lively Bacco bar I'm getting warmed up by a lively discussion with Robert Low.
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All blues - SugarDaddies' Blues Revue at the Zephyr
Review
by Paul Englefield, 10 Nov 2017
How many shades of blue can you imagine? From the cool tints of gospel to the bold hues of R&B, In the moment's blues revue lit up the full ...
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Miss Songbird at Art in the Park
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by Paul Englefield, 15 Aug 2017
Soulful, cool jazz with a hint of vintage, the excellent Miss Songbird and friends at Art in the Park.
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Sam Powell Blues Band at the Party in the Dell
by Paul Englefield, 29 May 2017
The Party in the Dell is a fabulous intimate community event at Leamington's Dell Park.
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MIke Hall and friends at the Kenilworth jazz club
by Testeditor, 09 Apr 2017
A night of fluid, elegant standards from the very mellow Mike Hall on tenor.
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Deja Vu at the Bedford Street bar
by The Gig, 22 Jan 2017
A fine night out with Deja Vu at this classy and jazz-friendly Leamington bar.
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Carrick at the Leamington Beer and Music festival
by Testeditor, 25 Sep 2016
An excellent folk-pop workout from the lively and charming Carrick who persuaded a hall packed with real-ale fans to sing along with 'I would ...
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The Musical Memories Cafe
by Paul Englefield, 04 Sep 2016
This is pretty much the perfect gig.
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Deja Vu at the Somerville
by Paul Englefield, 17 Aug 2016
A deliciously authentic selection from the Real Book by Deja Vu with a generous serving of Swing and a complementary side of spicy Bossa.
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Andi Wolf at Moreton Morrell
by Paul Englefield, 31 Jul 2016
Here's the very stylish Andi Wolf sharing some classy jazz at a lovely free Party in the Park at Moreton Morrell.
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Behind the Settee at Think Pink 2016
by The Gig, 31 Jul 2016
It's always a treat to catch up with these lovely people.
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Courthouse at Think Pink
by Testeditor, 31 Jul 2016
How much energy can three guys create on one stage? A superb afternoon set of vibrant urban pop rock from Courthouse on the Think Pink stage.
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Rena and the Renegades at GristFest 2016
by The Gig, 08 May 2016
For me, one of the stand-out performances of GristFest 2016 for it's sheer old-school rock and roll exuberance.
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Shanade EP launch at the Zephyr
by Paul Englefield, 14 Apr 2016
Powerful, punchy songs delivered with passion and style.
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Ben Clempson at the Zephyr
by Beano, 06 Apr 2016
Top stuff from Ben Clempson at the Zephyr.
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Martin Martel at the Zephyr
by Paul Englefield, 06 Apr 2016
Supporting Shanade Morrow at the Zephyr Lounge.
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Richard Baker at Stratford Jazz
by Paul Englefield, 02 Apr 2016
A top session of elegant grooves, melodic solos and cool tunes gathered from much further afield than the Real Book.
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We catch Jabba Cartel at the Wild Boar
by Paul Englefield, 27 Mar 2016
Psychologist Eleanor Rosch reckons we don't really understand categories.
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Jabba Cartel at the Wild Boar (Night of the musicians)
by Paul Englefield, 27 Mar 2016
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Amy Kakoura and Andrew Craig Sharpe at the Wild Boar
by The Gig, 07 Mar 2016
Appearing at Matt Hernandez's fine Night of the Musicians for an excellent set of traditional songs delivered with elegant vocals and a laconic ...
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Matt Hernandez at the Wild Boar
by The Gig, 07 Mar 2016
Matt Hernandez, a lovely guy with a fine line in Flamenco, banter and nappy-changing.
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The Empire at the Zephyr
by Paul Englefield, 14 Feb 2016
You walk into the Zephyr and you take in the black paint, the vivid wallpapering of iconic rock posters, and the casual demarcation of stage and pit.
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Sam Powell Blues Band at the Oak
by Paul Englefield, 31 Jan 2016
So there's at least a foot of breathing room between the closest jiving couple and the band.
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Larks in the wood
by Beano, 22 Dec 2015
On a dark, dark day, in a dark, dark wood is a tiny shelter.
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Deja Vu at the Somerville
by Beano, 13 Dec 2015
So how come you get a slice of lime wedged in your bottle of Sol? The landlord at the Somerville knows why; in a hot climate the acid keeps the flies ...
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SugarDaddies at Art in the Park
by Beano, 24 Jul 2015
A cracking set of authentic blues on a sunny afternoon in Leamington's lovely Jephson gardens.
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Shanade at Art in the Park 2015
by Beano, 24 Jul 2015
Shanade Morrow stood in at short notice with a fine acoustic session.
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Behind the Settee at Think Pink 2015
by Beano, 24 Jul 2015
We love these guys, quirky, stylish and authentic.
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Becki and the Dove at Think Pink 2015
by Beano, 24 Jul 2015
A lively set on a sunny afternoon with some elegant vocals and fiery guitar work.
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Blues Extra at the Joseph Arch
by Beano, 27 Aug 2015
A fabulous night of blues rock from Zeppelin to Green via Lizzy.
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Thom Kikpatrick at the Leamington food and drink festival
by Testeditor, 05 Sep 2015
So Thom's looking pretty cool perched on the Pump Rooms bandstand wrapped in a nest of keys, drums, guitars and loopers, yes a serious squad of ...
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Matt Bate at the Leamington Food and Drink festival
by Beano, 05 Sep 2015
Matt was definitely the sharpest dressed man on the bandstand at this year's food and drink festival in Leamington.
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We check out Tuesday at the Town House
by The Gig, 19 Nov 2015
So here's some advice from the boys and girls at Hot Music Live.
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Timeless swing their thing
by The Gig, 19 Nov 2015
We're nothing if not adventurous, sneaking out to exotic Alvechurch to check out the elegant instrumental jazz of Timeless.
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