Monday, 20 December 2010

Hayley Westenra Christmas Wishes Live @ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (17th December 2010)

Hayley Westenra Hayley PNG12 On a bitterly cold December evening, a large crowd filled the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for a performance from New Zealand born Hayley Westenra. Before Hayley though, there was the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) Renfrewshire who performed two songs before making way for the main act of the evening.

At first the band and the Raven String Quartet appeared on stage before the drummer began playing on the snare. This was to lead into the opening number of The Little Drummer Boy. This was followed by the beautiful yet haunting song Veni, Veni Emmanuel. After this, she welcomes the audience to show and jokes about how they were worried about getting into Glasgow because of the snow, but the biggest problem was getting out of London. After asking the audience about Christmas shopping, she confesses that most of hers is done through duty free.

Introductions out the way, the music continued with the well known song, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). She introduces the next song explaining that it originally started out as a poem, but throughout the years has been put to different music and that this arrangement is based on a traditional Irish tune. The song is Love Came Down At Christmas. After this, she introduces her special guest, Thomas Oliver (usually seen in the Welsh male choir Only Men Aloud). He performed two songs; a almost swing version of Winter Wonderland and the Austrian song Still, Still, Still.

Hayley Westenra Winter5 Hayley returns to perform a song that she's kept a hold of since performing with the Boston Pops a few years ago, the song being The Little Road To Bethlehem. Before she has a chance, the NYCoS Renfrewshire choir return to the stage to accompany Hayley on the last two songs of this half: The Coventry Carol and When A Child Is Born.

After an interval, it's straight back into the music with Carol Of The Bells and the Corpus Christi Carol. Silent Nightis next, but only after Hayley explains the history behind the song. After this, she introduces the musicians that join her on stage before adding a few mentions to people, particularly her guiarist Andy's mum, who's birthday it was (cue, Andy to give a sort burst of Happy Birthday on the guitar).

Getting the show back on track (because she's knows people are watching the time very carefully!), she introduces a track from the album, Winter Magic that she wrote called Peace Shall Come. At the end of this, she leaves the talented Raven String Quartet to play a little medley of songs including We Wish You A Merry Christmas and The Sailor's Hornpipe. During The Sailor's Hornpipe, the audience began to clap along, almost taking the quartet by surprise. Whilst the song itself does get faster and faster as it goes on, it almost felt as if the girls were deliberately getting faster, trying to lose the audience in the clapping. Fortunately, the audience kept up and in time right to the end.

Hayley Westenra Hayley PNG11 The wonderful Thomas Oliver appears back on stage followed by Hayley for a duet on the the song I'll Be Home For Christmas. Next we're treated to a traditional Maori carol called Te Harinui as well as the traditional Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. After a brief thanks, she explains the song and also that this will be her first Christmas away from home. At first she'd warmed to the idea but realised what she'd be missing, explaining that it is Summer in New Zealand after all. On a positive, she might get to experience a White Christmas. It is now she realises that she doesn't have her sleigh bells and explains they're essential to the next song. It leads on to her asking if anyone has any spare. Cue someone from the NYCoS choir to rattle a set and her asking them how they knew they'd be needing them. Fortunately, Michael the drummer/percussionist produces some and so it's onto Sleigh Ride.

All With You is next and is another track that Hayley wrote for her last album. Finally, she sings, what she believes is either the most popular or most well known, she can't remember, Christmas song. That is O Holy Night. With it being the last song, she leaves the stage. But no house lights come up. Is she coming back on?

Of course she is and once again, is joined with Thomas Oliver on stage. She invites the audience to join her in a spot of carolling with the song The First Nowell (which, for those who had purchased the programme, had probably realised something like this would happen). As the band start up, the audience is still seated, causing Hayley to stop and get the audience standing. After all, she's standing and it's good singing posture. So everyone is the standing singing three verses of the carol, meaning everyone present could claim that they'd sang with Hayley Westenra (a tweet from Hayley later on would reveal she thought Glasgow rocked the carolling). This brought the evening to a close.

Hayley Westenra Winter8 Overall, despite being cold outside, it was a fantastic atmosphere in the main auditorium. Hayley was engaging with the audience, if appearing shy and a little embarrassed when people clapped at the end of her songs. She is one of the few artists around who sounds the exact same live as she does in studio recordings so you don't sort of feel cheated. You get what you pay for and it was certainly worth every penny of the ticket price.

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Monday, 13 December 2010

Steve McKenna // You Raise Me Up

You Raise Me Up iTunes 

If you're in Scotland and you happen to listen to Real Radio, then you'll already know what I'm about to say, so stop reading here. For those that don't, continue reading.

Steve McKenna is a presenter on Real Radio who has been forever slating Westlife and pretty much refusing to play it. So on a recent visit to Glasgow, the Westlife boys decided to do something about it. The options: get beaten up by the boys or perform one of their songs. You guessed it, he opted for performing one of their songs. The song he choose was You Raise Me Up, the video for which was released during Help For Heroes event after enough money was raised. Fortunately now, more money is going to be raised for such a worthwhile cause with it's download release.

There is only one word to describe this: fantastic! Steve obviously has hidden talents that no one was aware of. Add to that, that the release is in aid for Help For Heroes and you've got a winning combination.

Rating: 5/5

Sunday, 5 December 2010

Sandi Thom // House Of The Rising Sun

House of the Rising Sun - Single Download @ Amazon.co.uk

House Of The Rising Sun is the brand new single from Sandi Thom. It is, as you've probably guessed from the title, a cover of the classic folk track (the most famous version probably by The Animals), but what a cover it is!

It's not your straight cover. Sandi performs it in her own style, with her powerful vocals being complimented by the instrumentation. Although performed I her own style, it still maintains that familiar feel to it.

This is a must for fans as it's not a track from her recent album, Merchants & Thieves. It's a recommended listen for anyone, a fan or not.

Rating:5/5

Saturday, 4 December 2010

Amy Macdonald // A Curious Thing (Special Orchestral Edition)

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It's been a busy year for Amy Macdonald this year. Since the original release of A Curious Thing back in March this year, Amy has travelled all over the UK and Europe promoting it and it's singles, and recently just completed her longest tour to date. In between the touring though, Amy found time to travel to Luxembourg to record a some special renditions of some of her much loved songs with the German Philharmonic Orchestra.

This version of the release disregards the 2007 recording of the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow and replaces it with 12 tracks from her set with the German Philharmonic Orchestra. Like her recent tour set list, there are songs from both This Is The Life and A Curious Thing. There are of course some tracks that did already have some string arrangements in them, but played by the orchestra, it make the songs just sounds so very different and take on a completely different life. There's a little something special in hearing the songs like this.

This is the first time that it's been done with this orchestra and it sounds as if it is likely to become a frequent occurrence, so for Amy to be given the first chance is an honour. Everything tells you that this arrangement probably shouldn't work, but it does and it does beautifully.

There is a draw back on this though. Many fans will already have purchased the album back in March and may see no reason to purchase it again just for orchestrated versions of the songs. What might have worked would have been for the concert, if possible, to have been released in it's entirety and packaged it with the a DVD of it too and made it a release like Sting's Symphonicity. Still, it's a nice little offering for fans and well worth a listen.

Rating:4/5

Olly Murs // Thinking Of Me

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Thinking Of Me is single number 2 for last year's X-Factor runner up, Olly Murs. Sadly though, even with the release, it still feels as if he is trying to find out who he is in a musical sense.

It's more of a summery tune for summertime loves to listen to and remember what they found those two weeks abroad (or at home). The song itself sounds like something that Paolo Nutini would be singing and sadly, it feels like Murs is trying to copy that same singing style, which doesn't suit his voice. . Maybe it's Murs found his own place in the music industry instead of trying to hit on what's already been filled

Rating:2/5

Tuesday, 30 November 2010

Glee:The Music // Volume 4

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The UK might not be seeing Season 2 until January 2011, but over in the US, they've already had 9 episodes (including a special Rocky Horror Picture Show episode especially for Halloween!) Of course each week, the songs from the episode are available to download so what's this CD?

Basically, the album could be the 'highlights' of the season so far. With songs from the likes of Alica Keys, Katy Perry, Celo Green and Bruno Mars, the season has seen it's fair share of new songs along with the mixture of old. There are tracks from all the episodes except The Rocky Horror Glee Show (which was given it's own release)

Sadly though, there are some gems missing that could have done with being here like the renditions of Lady Gaga's Telephone, REM's Losing My Religion and the mash up of Rhianna's Umbrella and the Classic Singin' In The Rain.

If you've been buying all the songs as you've seen them on the show, then there's nothing really here for you. More than likely for those who have been looking for a 'best of' for the season so far

Rating:4/5

Sunday, 28 November 2010

Westlife // Gravity

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Gravity is the brand new studio album from Irish boy band Westlife. The title is taken from a song on the album, apparently chosen by a fan on Twitter. This album is also a first with the boys having much more input into the songwriting side of things plus in the way that the songs were recorded. So what's on it?

The opening track, Beautiful Tonight is a bright upbeat song, not too unsimiliar to the Bruno Mars' track Just The Way You Are. Next it's the first single to be taken from the album and where the name of the album comes from. Safe is just about right for this; it's yet another cover. Chances is a slow ballad, can't say much else about it. It doesn't go anywhere, just seems to droll.

I Will Reach You and The Reason is a bit more of the Westlife standard. An upbeat ballad is more along what you might expect from the boys. Inbetween these is Closer, another slow ballad. Tell Me It's Love could be titled My Love Part II as it's very similar in melody to that.

I Get Weak and Before It's Too Late are another two ballads, the latter picking up in power midway. Finally, we come to another upbeat song, this time in the form of No One's Gonna Sleep Tonight. You could almost imagine a dance remix of this. Difference In Me is a lovely little number, decent little pop ballad. The album is brought to a close by a heart felt song called Too Hard To Say Goodbye, which as you can guess, is a ballad.

This is the first album that the boys have had as much input into the album so maybe it's unfair to judge it against what has come before. However, the way the songs are on the album, their attempt to disregard their image of 'ballad stool singers' fails miserably. There's not enough upbeat material here for them to get rid of that image. It mainly feels miserable with a minor injection of excitement which fades as quickly as it was given. If it was a school report it would read must try harder!

Rating:2/5

Tuesday, 23 November 2010

All Angels // Starlight

StarlightDownload @  iTunes

After releasing their latest album, Fly Away at the start of the year, All Angels return with a 5 track EP, titled Starlight.

True Colours (originally by Cyndi Lauper) opens the EP and features the girls and guitar only, although come the second verse, they go a capella and then back to having the guitar accompaniment. Goodnight My Angel is a completely a capella track, showcasing the girls abilities beautifully.

Title track Starlight (originally by Muse) has a slight latino feels with the guitar and you can help but start sway your hips to. Adiemus works beautifully with all the girls voices working together with a little help with a drum and guitar. Finally, Infant Holy/Ding Dong is another little a capella and wonderful of joining up of two Christmas songs

Overall, the EP showcases the girls vocals beautifully, with instrumentation kept to a minimum (in this instance it is only guitar and sometimes drums) so that the vocals are not drowned out. Of course, the instrumentation also compliments the vocals, as it should. This is highly recommended if you are a fan of the girls or even just dipping into their music.

Rating: 5/5

Saturday, 20 November 2010

Ellie Goulding // Your Song

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Adverts have always used popular or classic songs in order to promote their goods, either using the original version of the song or getting it brought right up to date with current artists. And in the case of the most recent John Lewis Christmas campaign, that's exactly what's happened.

Elton John's classic track Your Song has been brought up to date by Ellie Goulding. Sadly though, the song feels stripped of all emotion that made the original so loveable. That may have something to do with Ellie flat vocals which may be fine for her own songs but for a song like Your Song, it just seems to be a mismatch.

It is an unfortunate mismatch that neither does anything for the song nor the ad that it is for. It's more of a Christmas turn-off rather than Christmas turn off. Ellie fans will more than likely enjoy but other listeners and fans of the original will cringe

Rating 1/5

Saturday, 13 November 2010

Jade Valerie & Brian Joo // Don’t Tell Me I’m Wrong

jadebrian As 2010's end comes rushing in, one fan was quick to point out that, if there was no release this year, then it would be the first year that Jade Valerie hadn't released anything since 2000.

Well, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The duet with Fly To The Sky member Brian Joo came out of nowhere (with only a few days between the announcement and release in Korea), although the announcement was heard from Brian...

The song itself is a little rocky number. Unlike the previous duet (You Don't Know Me with Kim Dong Wan), this actually works. Compared to previous works along the same style, you can't help but feel that this song feels a bit more natural for Jade, or at least, she is a bit more settled with the style.

There is one small issue with the track with what seems to be a mixing issue. The vocals at the beginning of the track (specifically Jade's) seem to be a more prominent over the other elements of the songs and yet, seem to be rectified by the second verse. Apart from this, it is a great little track that, has been hinted will feature on Jade's next album.

Rating: 4/5

McFly // Shine A Light (Featuring Taio Cruz)

imageCD1
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Download
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Shine A Light is the second single to be taken from the boys forthcoming album, Above The Noise.

It's a great little bright and breeze pop song, a far cry from the dark and rockier Party Girl. What is great about it is that it shows that boys can turn their hands to anything, that which fans would already know. As an added bonus, they've also got Taio Cruz on the single too!

Of the physical releases there are two: a two track (which is the single plus remix) or 4 track (single, Dynamite as performed on BBC's Live Lounge, and two acoustic versions of I'll Be Your Man and The End Of The World). Something for everybody

Rating: 5/5

Take That // The Flood

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 Official Store

After many years apart (too many no doubt for some fans), Take That are finally back together and with that means a new album and tour. But before all that, there is a single to get out the way.

The Flood is the first single that has all five members together since they got back together. On the whole, it seems to follow the general Take That formula that has been heard in previous releases. Yet, at the same time,it's different.

It's a beautiful ballad that will warm even the coldest of hearts and that lyrically and melodically stick in your head. Hopefully a song that will be round for a while and listeners won't tire of

Rating: 5/5

Saturday, 6 November 2010

The Saturdays // Higher

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Higher is the latest single to be taken from the girls current album, Headlines (due to be re-released as an extended version just in time for Christmas).

A bit more upbeat than previous single, Missing You, the problem is that there still seems to be something missing, and, as with the last single, appears to go no where. The last few singles have felt like the energy has gone from the group and that the group have gone from boiling to a gentle simmer.

Whilst fans will no doubt lap up this musical offering,, general music fans will probably pass

Rating: 2.5/5

Friday, 29 October 2010

The Wanted // The Wanted

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The hottest boy band at the moment release their self titled debut album this month. So does it live up to the hype?

The album opens with debut single All Time Low followed by second single Heart Vacancy. Lose My Mind has a very King's Of Leon feel to it (in particular, Need Somebody). Replace Your Heart keeps the pace but has too much of a boyband feel to it (sounds like something Westlife would do).

Hi And Low drops the tempo again and feels a little out of place on the album as it's feels a little bare. Let's Get Ugly samples the well known theme to the Clint Eastwood film, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (originally composed by Ennio Morricone) an the chorus lyrics could be seen as some kind of homage to it (Cause they're so good/I'm so bad/So lets get ugly).

Say It On The Radio could be a Lady Gaga track in disguise (they'd just have to have a video to that standard). Golden requires a translator to understand what's being said for the majority of it. Weakness is an appropriate title for the next song. Like The Saturday's Missing You, this just doesn't seem to go anywhere when you expect it to.

A very cliché left, left right left right and typical military drumming opens Personal Soldier. Sadly doesn't kind live up to what you'd expect. Behind Bars is a rocking little that in the opening misleads the listener thinking it's going to be something soppy with the strings on their own.
The next track up is Made (recently made available on iTunes as their Single of The Week) and isn't a bad sounding number. Wonder why it's as far down the list though... The last track is A Good Day For Love To Die leaves you wondering where the rest of the album is

Overall, while there are some great little numbers on the album, it has a feeling that they are attempting to sound like everyone else already out there and not trying to stand out from the crowd. Sadly not something that was expected from the newest band on the music scene

Rating: 3/5

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Peter Andre // Defender

Defender - EP Download @ Amazon.co.uk | Download @ iTunes

It must be an Aussie thing this year to use the title Defender. Peter Andre returns with new track Defender, the first to be taken from forthcoming album, Accelerate.

It has a very military feel to the start of, and definitely grabs the attention of the listener from the outset. The military feeling continues with the lyrics too and how they're delivered. It's a nice upbeat, powerful song and certainly sets what could be a standard for the rest of the album.

Rating:4/5

Monday, 25 October 2010

KT Tunstall Live @ Barrowland Ballroom (23rd October 2010)

IMG_1969 It's been a while since KT's last proper tour (she did do a small solo tour earlier this year performing tracks from the latest album, Tiger Suit) but tonight she arrives in at the infamous Barrowland Ballroom as part of her current UK tour.

First on stage in a duo from Sheffield called Snow Club. They’re a mixture of guitar, drums and vocals. They may have been more interesting if they could be understood (the loudness of the instruments drowned the vocals in some songs) and had made an attempt to show some enthusiasm up on the stage.

IMG_1971

However, the general feeling was that they were just there (they openly admitted that they didn’t have a set list and even asked the crowd what time it was so they could, on the wing, decide how many songs they could perform). In honesty, had there been a decision of whether to give the support a miss, then this would have been one of those moments. Once they left the stage, it was a all hands on deck to get the stage ready for the main show. The lights dim and the show is ready to begin.

KT Tunstall @ Barrowlands, Glasgow 23rd October 2010The band appear first followed by KT who apologises for being late but she’s been away ‘writing some new shit’ and she hopes we like it. From that, we’re straight into the first track of the night, Glamour Puss. This leads straight into Unmmannaq Song. She takes a break to speak to the crowd and introduce Come On, Get In, a song about get on with it after getting dumped. Funnyman, from the last album Drastic Fantastic is next.  Next she asks if there are any freaks in the venue, with many putting their hands up. She then adds what’s more worrying is those that didn’t answer. This leads into the first single from the new album, (Still A) Weirdo. At the end of this, she apologises for the beatboxing in the album version. People told it was a good idea and it wasn’t.

KT Tunstall @ Barrowlands, Glasgow 23rd October 2010Another favourite Hold On follows but not before she introduces us to her band. After this, the band leaves KT on her own and she performs a new version of Other Side Of The World, which was brilliant. She then into the her debut song Black Horse & The Cherry Tree, which she sets up or, try to set up through the loop pedal. Unfortunately, the crowd are really into in and going a little too quickly. She tries speeding it up but admits it sounds a bit like a rap, so takes it down again. During the musical section, the band returns to help her finish the song off. Songs Lost and Golden Frames are next followed straight after by Difficulty. She brings the pace down a little with the last track on Tiger Suit, The Entertainer.

KT Tunstall @ Barrowlands, Glasgow 23rd October 2010The slow pace doesn’t last as she throws herself into Saving My Face, with the crowd joining in and generally have a great time. Madame Trudeaux comes next after a short explanation behind the song. Push That Knot Away, the first full studio version that fans were introduced to and forthcoming single Fade Like A Shadow (first single in the US) finishes off this little segment. The band and KT disappear from the stage and the crowd start chanting, clapping…generally making a grand noise until KT and a member of her band return to the stage.

KT Tunstall @ Barrowlands, Glasgow 23rd October 2010As they’re starting the next song, KT announces that this song is back by popular demand and she does read what we write sometimes. The track turns out to be Heal Over. As the song progresses, the rest of the band returns and she tells us that a question gets asked frequently is what sort of music inspires her and her answer is the 80’s. She wants to sing The Voice, but doesn’t have a bagpipe player, so she opts for the Erasure track A Little Respect. The night ends on a high with the fantastic Suddenly I See. Once the stage is empty, the crowd once again try chanting but the house lights come up and everyone realises that it the end of the night.

KT Tunstall @ Barrowlands, Glasgow 23rd October 2010Overall, it was a great night. The Barrowlands is a great little venue and has seen some great acts over the years. The support act didn’t live up to the main act and felt as if they just been picked 5 minutes before they went on stage. Of the main event, KT was fantastic and, compared to the last big gig (held in the SECC) this seemed much more impressive. The tracks sound perfect live, if not, slightly different but that’s what seeing an artist live is all about: experiencing the music how it should be: live.

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Tiger Suit:
Standard
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Deluxe
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Sunday, 24 October 2010

James Blunt // Stay The Night

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It's been a while since we've heard anything new from Mr. Blunt, but now he's back with a new single and album (following shortly)

Some people may be mistaken upon hearing the first few chords that it's a new version of Train's 'Hey Soul Sister' as it has the same sort of sound. Yes, gone (at present) is doom and gloom and it's hello sunshine. It's a nice upbeat and happy song just as we're heading into winter and is just what the doctor ordered. Lyrically, James doesn't disappoint and you'll soon find yourself singing along, even if it is just with the chorus.

It's nice to hear something different from James. But that's not to say that the whole album is going to be all rosy like this, but it is a good start. Only problem is the similarity to the afore mentioned song, so could be construed as trying to play off the back of that. Fun little number that fans probably aren't expecting and may well draw in some new fans.

Rating: 4.5/5

Saturday, 23 October 2010

Amy Macdonald // Love Love UK & European Arena Tour : 19.10.10 O2 Apollo Manchester

AmyMacDonald_600x540 Buy @ Concertlive.co.uk

Amy Macdonald embarks on her latest and quite possibly her longest UK and European tour in support of her new album, A Curious Thing. This time around though, she's teamed up with concert specialist Concert Live to allow fans to get their hands on copies of the tour on CD straight after the show, but only at selected venues. The first in the series of 4 is from the first night of the UK tour at the O2 Apollo in Manchester on the 19th October 2010.

Presented as a digipack, the concert is spread across 3 discs (9, 7 and what will be 2 tracks on the last track...more on this later) and the quality of the tracks is superb. The tracks are in performance order and also includes her chatting to the fans with her little anecdotes and tales, giving you over an hour of material to live or, in the case of people who were at the gig, relive.

There is only one thing wrong with this. You've paid your money (the album costs £20 on the night, £20 plus P+P if bought from the site) and expect the full concert. Only problem is that you only get 2 full CDs. The encore disc is blank. In order to get the tracks, you need to go to a specified site online, enter your email and the code that you find underneath the 3rd disc in the pack to receive the links to the download and burn the tracks to the final disc. Now, here is the possible problem. Now downloading is fine if you just want to keep the tracks in mp3 format, but there is the issue that if you are going to burn them to disc, that you have to hope that it works first time as there is only one disc. While yes this is probably a time saving idea, it does feel like you've been cheated, especially if you aren't familiar or confident in burning discs.

All in all, this is a great little memento from the night and marks the first full concert to be available to purchase (the second disc of the deluxe version of A Curious Thing is purely the tracks, whereas this is everything). As for who will buy it, more than likely anyone who attended the concert and those that wish to hear Amy live. Of course, this is the first of four from this tour, so the decision of which one to actually own may be difficult.

Rating: 4.5/5

Red Hot Chilli Pipers // Music For The Kilted Generation

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The Bagrockers return with their third album, Music For The Kilted Generation, which once again brings the traditional and the modern together. So what have they got instore for us this time around

Long Way To The Top – If You Wanna Bagrock starts the album off as it means to go on: loud and rocking! It's quickly followed by Just For Willie, a track composed by members of the band for ex member, Willie Armstrong. Probably one of Snow Patrol's most well known tracks, Chasing Cars is given the Chilli Piper treatment and it actually isn't too bad. The arrangement works well even if it does have a little added section to it, that just adds to song making the Pipers own.

Hellbound Train starts very traditional but is soon joined by guitar and other instruments piece by piece building to the climax. The Hidden Gem is a little gem, kept a gentle pace and is a great little piece to lead into the next track, Amazing Grace, a track that once got to number one played on the bagpipes many years ago. For this version though, the Glasgow Gospel Truth Choir joins them.

Just as quickly as the pace slows, it's taken back up with Black Knight On The Crazy Train. The song they describe as you'll either love it or loathe it (due to the item that it was once used to advertise) is Low Rider, a great little track heard here and when performed live. Queen are once more given the Chilli treatment with a version of Radio GaGa.

Little Cascade has a sort of middle eastern feel to the beat and you can't help but sway along to it. The last three tracks to this album are somewhat more modern. There is a short song, Everybody Dance Now quickly followed by Robbie William's classic Let Me Entertain You. The album ends with The Who track Baba O'Riely, probably most commonly heard on CSI: New York

Overall, the album maintains what the band have been known for: mixing the traditional with the modern and bring the sound of the bagpipes to another generation. The line up might have changed slightly but the sound that the band bring hasn't. Well worth a listen if you're looking for just a tad different.

Rating:4/5

Amy Macdonald Live @ Glasgow O2 Academy (21st October 2010)

Pete Lawrie @ Glasgow O2 Academy, 21st October 2010The Scottish weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of those that turned out to see Amy Macdonald at the O2 Academy in Glasgow as she tours the country on the aptly named Love Love Tour (which is also the name of her current single).

First stop, the merchandise stall. Yes merchandise. Available to purchase on the night were T-shirts, mugs, bags, song book, programmes and Live CD. Unfortunately, the CD was not of that night’s show but of the first night of the tour, recorded in Manchester.Still, a whole show across 3 CDs for £20…Now it’s time to  take up position for the rest of the night.Pete Lawrie @ Glasgow O2 Academy, 21st October 2010 

First to enter the stage is not Alan Powell as for weeks have been touted both on the venue site and tickets. No. He’s no longer appearing. Instead, we’re introduced to Pete Lawrie, a singer/songwriter from Wales. To break the ice with the audience, he politely announces that  his mother is from Scotland and asks if that qualifies him as Scottish. He powers through a solid set including the tracks, How Could I Complain, Jimmy and the Birds On Fire (which is about falling out with friends and not getting back in contact) and current single In The End (also the name of his forthcoming EP, released at the end of the month).

No sooner is he off the stage than the stage crew are in prepping for the main event. A quick turnaround and the main lights go down, the crowd goes wild and it’s on with the show.

Amy Macdonald @ Glasgow O2 Academy 21st October 2010

The show kicks off as many of her gigs have recently with An Ordinary Life. Although tonight there is something different in the sound of the music. Maybe it because it’s the usual foursome (Mark (Guitar), Sam (Drums), Ben (Bass) and Shannon (Keys)) are joined by an additional multi-instrumentalist Owen Parker. From this we go straight into the rocking Poison Prince. After this, Amy takes a moment to properly speak to the crowd and thank them for turning out and talks about how the home crowd is always the best. Continuing with tracks from This Is The Life, we’re treated to L.A. and the one of the first tracks Amy ever wrote Youth of Today. Next we’re onto current single and tour name Love Love which leads us into the ever popular Mr Rock & Roll, which in all fairness, does end up sounding like a giant singalong.

Amy Macdonald @ Glasgow O2 Academy 21st October 2010Giving the band a chance to prep, Amy tells us about how she is constantly asked about what it’s like being a WAG, to which, she responds that she doesn’t see herself as one. This leads us onto Footballer’s Wife. After this she tells us about a performance that they made where the person responsible for booking them obviously hadn’t heard the song that they would be performing and how it seemed a little controversial seeing as the event was a beauty pageant and the song was This Pretty Face. From this we go into Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over which gets the crowd going from the very first note.

Amy Macdonald @ Glasgow O2 Academy 21st October 2010Announcing that she’s going to slow it down a little, we’re treated to the beautiful Troubled Soul and Give It All Up. Once again the crowd get going with Next Big Thing. Now we’re given a tale about how she gets to travel and do different things from singing the national anthem at Hampden before the Scotland/Spain game to performing in Luxembourg with an orchestra at the weekend. This of course leads to the song from which the current album’s title is taken from, No Roots. The next song is Run which, as Amy recalls seeing The Killers in this very venue and being inspired to write the song. Again this is another singalong for the crowd. From this, they go into Spark.

Amy Macdonald @ Glasgow O2 Academy 21st October 2010Now she tells about how Glasgow always gets a bad reputation for it’s binge drinking but how, if it hadn’t been for it, that the next track would never have been born. This track is the title track to the debut album, This Is The Life. She finishes with the track What Happiness Means To Me. Again the crowd sing their hearts out and at some points one would swear that Amy was about to start crying. At the end of this, she shouts goodnight and herself and the band leave the stage. It doesn’t take long before the chants of ‘Amy! Amy!” begin. Soon, she returns to the stage and performs her version of Bruce Spingsteen classic Born To Run. This once more has the crowd singing along with her at the top of their voices. The final song of the night is Let’s Start A Band which brings the night to close on a high.

Amy Macdonald @ Glasgow O2 Academy 21st October 2010Overall, the night was a complete success. The songs sounded different and this is more than likely down to the inclusion of the additional band member Owen. The live versions of the songs never sound the same and some are given a little change from the album or usual version. Her chat or ‘banter’ as would be said in Scotland, broke the night up so that it wasn’t just constant music. The little anecdotes give the fan an insight into what inspires Amy to write her songs.  With a good mixture from both her albums, the set list ensured that there was something for everyone. The crowd appeared to be really enthusiastic joining in with the songs and generally having a great time.  Hopefully the rest of the tour will go just as smoothly as this night did.

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

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Sunday, 17 October 2010

The Green Children // Encounter

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You may not be familiar with the duo of Tom 'Marlow' Bevan and Milla Sunde aka The Green Children, but they have been around for the last few years. Gradually, the pieces have come together and finally we have the first official album from the group (there was a limited self titled album released a few years ago).

The title track, Encounter, is a retelling of the English tale from which the duo take their name from leading into the current single Dragons, arguable the fastest paced track from the album. R U Out There? returns to the more mellow and slower pace of the rest of the album.
The opening guitar piece of Black Magic may lead you to believe that you are listening to another song whilst Skies On Fire has an otherworldly feel. Life Was Beautiful and Hear Me Now are both beautiful ballads (both previously released as singles). Price Of Fame could be seen a generic look at what fame does to someone's life. If Tell Me was the final track on the album, it would end on a darkish note. However, it ends with a beautiful acoustic version of Hear Me Now, heavily driven by the piano

The album is a welcomed change from what, over the past few years, has become the norm. Whilst the pop/electronic sound keeps them relevant, lyrically, their songs are more meaningful, almost giving you a feeling of a wisdom beyond their years. The songs provide a mythical/fantasy feeling and is an album that you can listen to for the purposes of relaxation and be taken to another place. Purely looking at the album on it's own and ignoring anything before it, it's a great little collection of songs. They're not trying to be like anyone else. They don't have to be. They won't be to everyone's taste however, they should be given a listen to.

Rating: 4.5/5

Sunday, 10 October 2010

The Wanted // Heart Vacancy

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The boy band of the moment are back with their second single, and this time round, the boys are taking things down for a lovely little ballad number.

Heart Vacancy is a world away from the debut All Time Low but shows that, so far, the boys aren't one genre performers. Melodically, the song is great with beautiful acoustic guitar and a smooth baseline to boot. Lyrically, it questionable. It leaves you feeling as if there is another song that should be listening to rather than this one.

Overall, it's good that the boys are showing different genre, but it could be that, because of the success of All Time Low, that any follow up is probably going to be difficult. But with a self titled album on the way, hopefully what they've already offered us in these two helpings is likely to be continued. On a report card, it may read: nice attempt but needs more work.

Rating:3.5/5

Saturday, 9 October 2010

ETERNITY ∞ // Eternity (Asian Version)

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When the Korean version of ETERNITY ∞'s debut album came out, Taiwan and Hong Kong were expected to follow. Well one year on and, thanks to Avex Taiwan Inc., that has happened.

As with the Out Of The Box release, this album features the Korean artwork and track listing...well, almost the Korean track listing. The new tracks that had been given to Korea are replaced by the tracks originally bonus tracks of the Japanese which, allows it to flow a little better than it's Korean counterpart

As said, this album features the Korean artwork but sadly, this also includes the information on the back regarding the song My Style (bonus track for Korea) which of course, doesn't feature on this release. A bit more time and attention to detail wouldn't go a miss. There is also a little booklet in Taiwanese/Chinese (not sure which) which uses photos that were from the Bittersweet Symphony photoshoot, so not just a completely different shoot, but different project (although the same people behind it)

Once again, maybe not one for the collector (unless purely for the error on the back of the CD). There's two types of people who would probably go for this: either they don't own any of the other releases (Japan or Korea) or they prefer the artwork and track list to that of the other releases. Other than that, nice to see her music reach other sections of Asia

Rating: 4/5

Jade Valerie // Out Of The Box (2 CD Asian Version)

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It's been a few years since the original release back in Japan, but now, in 2010, Jade Valerie's debuts are available together for the rest of Asia to enjoy thanks to Avex Taiwan Inc.

Although titled Out Of The Box it actually brings the mini-album (Out Of The Box) and the full album (Bittersweet Symphony) together, originally released in Japan. The release uses the artwork from the Korean version of Out Of The Box (a mash up of both albums) but the original track listings for the CDs.

There's nothing new here for the collector (unless you're looking to add it to a collection as a new release) but if you don't have either of the original Japanese versions and don't fancy tracking them done (they are rare now), then this little set is just the ticket for you

Rating: 4/5

Monday, 4 October 2010

Amy Macdonald // Love Love (Metropolis ‘On Track’ Session) EP

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Love Love is the next single to be lifted from the album, 'A Curious Thing' and whilst this would look like the official single, this is in fact a collection of songs recently recorded straight to vinyl as part of a Channel 4 show 'On Track with Seat'.

The first track is the forthcoming single 'Love Love', which is sounding better everytime that she performs it. This is followed by the title track to her debut album, 'This Is The Life'. A favourite cover of Amy's seems to be Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark, here performed simply with vocals and guitar, making it a more intimate performance. Finally we have the first song to be released from A Curious Thing, Don't Tell Me That It's Over.

These songs could be considered as live versions rather than finished polished produced versions. But that doesn't draw away from it as Amy always sounds better live than what is heard from CD. It's obvious that the more that Amy and band play the songs, the more familiar they become with it, that each live version is unique. Maybe it's because there is a pressure here that any error that is made can't be rectified as it's 'straight to vinyl'. A lovely little addition to any fans collection.

Rating:5/5

P.s. You can see Amy performing the songs and discussing bits and bobs on Channel 4 on the 11th October @ 12.20am

Sunday, 26 September 2010

KT Tunstall // (Still A) Weirdo

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After a break away, KT Tunstall returns with her first single offering from her new album, Tiger Suit.

(Still A) Weirdo is described by KT herself as the 'runty puppy that everybody loves'. The song is a beautifully relaxing, guitar driven track that you can imagine driving along in the sunshine.

Looking at it's on credit, it is a great little song and is reminiscent of tracks from the debut, Eye To The Telescope. But when looked at the context of the new album, it seems a little out of place.

Nice to see KT back. Maybe not the best single that's been released but it's different from what's out there at the moment and hopefully that will help her stand out from the rest once more

Rating: 4/5

Yulia // Live In Concert: Mills Reef

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In case you haven't heard of Yulia, and there's a possibility that you don't, she's a classicial crossover artist originally from Russia but now living in New Zealand. This release is the first in a series of live concerts released on her own label. More over, the physical release is limited to 1000 copies and each is individually made by Yulia herself, making owning the CD even more special.

All the tracks feature Yulia's vocals and only a piano accompaniment allowing the listener to truly experience her rare mezzo-soprano coloratura voice. The live element of this release is obvious when you listen to the first track, a version of Schubert's Ave Maria, and you can hear the birds chirping in the background, which just adds to the song itself.

Whilst some people will probably read classical crossover and think opera, that's not all that's here. There are some well known pop songs here too (All By Myself and Nobody Does It Better to name but two) as well as some common crossover material in the form of 'You Raise Me Up', 'The Prayer' and a version of Toni Braxton's Unbreak My Heart (here known as Regresa A Mi and originally done by Il Divo). There is also a beautiful version of 'Into The West', originally performed by Annie Lennox for the Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King.

Of course, not all the songs are sung in English although it's a well balance of English and foreign language. The great thing is that, when Yulia performs in other languages, it's effortless and dictation is perfect (something there can be an awkwardness when using another language)

Overall, the album as well as the artist is a undiscovered gem. The simple arrangement of piano and voice complements beautifully and there is a sort of intimacy from this release that allows the listener to experience the versatility of Yulia's voice. The songs are performed with great control and emotion that draws the listener in from the first note to the very last. A recommend listen if you're looking for something a little different.

Rating:5/5

Saturday, 25 September 2010

KT Tunstall // Tiger Suit

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It's been a few years since we had a release from Kt but now she's back with the brand new release, Tiger Suit. She's already been performing some of the new material in solo shows around the country, so the album will be the first time that fully produced versions will be heard.

The opening track, Uummannaq Song sets the new sound from this album; a sound defined as 'nature techno'. It's a great little opener followed quickly by Glamour Puss that has a slightly rockier edge. Next is the first official track that was posted on Youtube, Push That Knot Away and follows the same rocky edge of the previous track.

Difficulty is a difficult track to place. It's base is sounds very old techno and somehow you expect it to get faster, a bit more dancier, but it never seems to come. Still a nice track.

Fade Like A Shadow (first single in the US) is up next and a great little track returning to the sound of experienced in previous tracks already on the album. Lost starts off as a beautiful slow and relaxing track that builds the instruments used as it progresses. It maintains the overall sound of the album but yet seems to be a little tea break as a whole. Golden Frames is another little tea break track. You wouldn't be blamed for wanting to snap your fingers along with this.

All of a sudden, we're taken to a song that might be classed as a little rock 'n' roll. Yes it's Come On, Get In and may well have done well as an opening track as well. The track KT herself calls the 'Runty puppy' is (Still A) Weirdo and it's probably not something that you would automatically assume to be a KT track but it's still a lovely little relaxing track. The best way to describe Madame Trudeaux is...thing Suzie Quattro. That's all that can be said. The final track (The Entertainer) is a lovely little ender and rounds the album off perfectly.

On the whole, Tiger Suit is a great come back and shows a little experimentation and possibly the creation of an all new sound. It seems to be a natural progression for KT and on a whole, there's not a bad track on the album. Maybe the order could do with a slight tweaking, but apart from that, it's a lovely addition for any fan's collection.

Rating: 4.5/5

Sunday, 5 September 2010

Alexandra Burke // Start Without You

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Start Without You is the brand new song from Alexandra Burke and RedOne (who seems to be very popular this year!). It isn’t sure whether this track is taken from a re-issue/next album/US debut album.

This track is very different from what we’ve heard from Alexandra previously. It’s a very summery, something you’d expect to hear on the beach. In a blog post Alexandra described the track as ‘going back to her roots’. Oh and if you find that you’re actually singing alternative lyrics to the chorus of this song, that’s because the song samples the Boney M classic, Horray! Horray! Holli-Holli Day.

It’s a fun little number but sadly, it probably doesn’t have any longevity past the summer holiday season but more than likely is going to be one of those songs that appears time after time when the summer season comes around.

Rating:3.5/5

Monday, 30 August 2010

Zarif // Box Of Secrets

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Box of Secrets is the début album release for Zarif and is released on her own label (Bright Pink) and also features 2 previous singles (Over and Let Me Back)a well as the current/title track Box of Secrets

The opening track is also the title track (Box of Secrets) and is a great little upbeat jazz/swing number. This is the original album version so no rapping section in this one. It also sets the presidence for the rest of the album. Seen It All Before continues the upbeat feel before Breakout enters with it mystic sounding background (although it does somehow conjure images of the Pyramids).

The Day The Music Left Me and Over return to the general upbeatness of the album before we're led into the beautiful guitar driven, acoustic sounding ballad You Take The Darkness. Coming after such upbeat songs would make you think that it would sound out of place. However, it almost feels as if it should be there. California brings a more sombre tone to proceedings in another little guitar driven track.

The opening bars of Silence Room may leave you wanting to burst into a Stevie Wonder song and it flows just like something that he would write or perform. Stop What You're Doing is another little upbeat song before heading into the relaxing and laid back Words. Let You Back is a great little summery sounding tune that you wouldn't mid sticking on and dreaming of the summer that we never had.

Summer In Your Eyes is another great laid back and relaxing track which is perfect for bring the album to an end. But no, we're not finished yet. It's time to come full circle with the radio edit of Box Of Secrets and yes, this time featuring Mz Bratt.

Some débuts try to cram as much differing material making them feel scattered and unorganized. However Zarif's focuses on the soul/jazz/swing/little r'n'b elements and is a mixture of upbeat and slower tracks, which would sometimes make an album awkward. However, the placement of the slower tracks make the album flow continuously without a hitch.

There is something that needs to be commended here and that is that the album isn't overproduced. Everything is brought together and seems to fit like pieces of a jigsaw. It may have retro feel but it has a modern twist. There's a balance between the music and vocals meaning you can actually enjoy the album without having to strain to understand what is being said.

Overall, Box of Secrets is a great little début. It probably not what you would expect given the current sounds covering the charts at the moment. Zarif's début is a breathe of fresh air and is perfect for this time of year or any time for that matter. Hopefully this is just the first of Zarif's secrets that she's pulled out of her box and that more are going to follow.

Rating:5/5