Cascada // It’s Christmas Time

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Apparently it’s taken 8 years of attempting to make this album and now finally, they have. But is it worth the wait?

To be honest, listening to it, many of the tracks do seem a bit karaoke backing track-ish and probably not what fans are expecting. Of the tracks probably the only ones to have some sort of change is Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. Alright so it’s well known tracks that have been covered here and that is probably the issue. The songs have been so many times by so many people that it’s hard to come up with an original version that can still remain true to the track that’s being covered. Maybe looking for Christmas songs that haven’t been covered so often might have been the answer to this (and there are plenty there!) that would have given the group a chance to put their spin it.

Sadly, this will probably be the Last Christmas for this album at least here. And with word that the group are going to have a go at representing Germany in the Eurovision song contest next year…are things getting a little desperate?

Rating: 2/5

Lionel Richie @ SECC Glasgow (14th December 2012)

Having had to postpone some UK dates for his Tuskegee tour back in September this year, Lionel Richie finally graced the stage of the SECC on the 14th of December. Having seen him twice previously, would it still be as good?

Supporting Lionel was a lass from Sheffield named Philippa Hanna. It was just herself and her guitar and to be honest, she looked dwarfed on the stage. She opened with her track Happy In My Skin before heading into Summer Bride (a track inspired by a story a friend told her not to tell anyone…so she tells everyone in song!). A short pause as she mentions she comes from a musical family and that her dad used to sing a Lionel Richie track and dedicate it to her mum. Feeling that it would be a little inappropriate to sing a Lionel track, she instead opts to sing Always On My Mind mixed in with the well known track Loch Lomand. Another song and she introduces her next track as being inspired by a friend who went for cosmetic surgery and how she thought it was wrong that people had go down that route to make themselves felt great. This leads into I Am Amazing before ending her set with Work In Progress.

Finally the main act can begin. Not one to usually have a fancy set, this year would be different in that in the centre was a staircase, and the band was situated in front of. An intro of a sort of dance version of Hello gets the crowd excited before the man himself appears atop the staircase and heads into All Around The World and then straight into Penny Lover. Pausing for a moment, he apologises for being late but that he would make it up to the audience by singing every song that he ever wrote. The bad news was that he’d forgotten most of them, but if the audience would sing with him, it would probably work. Like he has to ask! He also comments about the lovely spring weather that Glasgow is having and asks if we spend the whole year there or fly south for the winter. As he sits at the piano he starts singing Easy accompanied by a few thousand other singers. Next he sings the track that he wrote for his daughter, Ballerina Girl.

Sitting back at the piano, he talks about how ‘we’ve known each other for years’ and how ‘we’ been though the good and the bad times. So begins 3 short renditions starting with when the love of you life has told you that it’s over and they’ve left you. This leads to Love You Still. The next story is when you see the love of your life walk in with another woman (Crazy Over You) and then finally, when come out the other side, the grass is green and the sky is blue (except in Glasgow) then the song you want is Stuck On You. Leaving the piano, Lionel points out that he dying from sweat on stage and the audience looks too comfortable and he’s deciding that if he’s sweating, so are the audience. There is only two ways that this next track can be done…many have worked out the name but before he can say anything, a piece of lady’s underwear ends up on the stage, rendering him speechless. He then points out that there could be 3 ways to do the next track. It is of course Dancing On The Ceiling.

Next he gives the audience the background to his next track and how it was inspired by his dad giving a toast to his mother over dinner one night. It went on to be a 7 million selling hit and all his dad keeps asking is where's his cheque. The song is of course Three Times A Lady. Followed by this is Sail On. Next is a medley of Commadores tracks (Fancy Dancer, Sweet Love And Lady (You Bring Me Up)

Lionel tells how he tried calling up Diana Ross to have her make a surprise appearance in Glasgow to perform their track and she said no. He tries again telling her it's Glasgow, on a Friday night and still she said no. So instead he'd sing it with a thousand Diana Ross'. Of course the track he means is Endless Love. He follows up singing Brick House and then Destiny. The stage goes quiet before he reappears up on the staircase singing Say You Say Me before heading straight into Running With The Night.

Assuming his position back at the piano, he wants to sing a song that people seem to want to sing back to him all over the world. It is of course Hello. Of course the audience isn't one for stopping and ready to keep going All Night Long. Just to show that he's down with what's popular, he does as a parody of one of the most popular songs in 2012. It is of course Gangnam Style though performed as Lionel Richie Style. Disappearing for a moment, he comes back to sing Hard To Say Goodbye

It's hard to believe that it's been 2 years since he was last in the Scottish city but showed that he could teach the young ones a thing or two about putting a show on. It's always a party atmosphere when he plays and sometimes it's hard to wonder why there are seats. He has a great sense of humour (even making a joke about the Lionel Richie audience going nude and what a youtube video that would make) and it's obvious that he enjoys what he does. Another great night that was well worth the ticket price.

Photos
Philippa Hanna: from official facebook page
Lionel Richie © Vhari Lannigan (from 2009 tour)

Lionel Richie
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Phillipa Hanna
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Official Store

James Arthur // Impossible

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So the public have spoken and this year’s X-Factor winner is James Arthur. And his debut single? Well, of course it’s a cover and this time it’s a cover of Shontelle’s Impossible.

Sadly we think that this will appeal to his fans who voted him through. It has nothing on the original and there to be honest, having painfully watched each week, we can’t hear anything new that we didn’t hear in the first week and there only seems to be one sound that he can make. Even the fact that a cut of each single is going to Together For Short Lives (the same charity that the X Factor Finalists recorded a song for last year) can’t make us like this.

Still, only time will tell if he really does have the X factor and no doubt his fans will support him in whatever he does.

Rating: 2/5

Gabrielle Aplin // The Power Of Love

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It's that time of year again where John Lewis attempt to melt the hearts of the TV viewer with their Christmas ad and this time vocals fall on Gabrielle Aplin.

The song of choice is the Frankie Goes To Hollywood classic The Power Of Love. Sadly this time the song seems to fall short of the mark. Don't get us wrong, it's a good version but we struggle to see it's relation to the ad. It's a haunting performance of the track and at least she manages to keep us happy by making the song her own whilst being true to the original.

Sadly looking at the song and ad, we think that last year offering has set the mark that the rest of the John Lewis ads will be marked against.

Rating: 4/5

Military Wives // Stronger Together

 
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Can you believe that eight months ago, the Military Wives released their debut album and at the time there were only 5 choirs involved in it’s recording? Well, now they’re back with their second offering and this time, they brought a few more choirs along (now a total of 25 choirs involved!) The album is described as tracks that are songs of courage, hope and friendship, representing the very best of the British Spirit.

Opening with Take That’s Rule The World you can already hear that there is something different to this album compared to the last. Following on is Richard marx’s Right Here Waiting before we are graced with the first of two songs especially written for this album by Gareth Malone. It is of course the title track Stronger Together and features voices from all the choirs taking part in the recording.

When Will I See You Again comes next and is a beautiful rendition without the need for too many elements. Given the time of year that this is being released, it seems alright to allow them at least one Christmasy tune and that comes in the form of In The Bleak Mid-Winter which works well for a choral group. John Denver’s song Annie’s Song comes up next followed by Get Here, another track that works well having soloists and group sections.

Barry Manilow track One Voice opens with an acapella soloist before more voices join in and it is the vocal performance that carries the most weight for the majority of the song and seems an appropriate track for the Military Wives. The Long And Winding Road arrives on the speakers before heading into a medley of Songs That Won The War each track seamlessly blending into the next. This is followed up by Meet Me At The Moon.

Next we have the second track to feature the vocals of all the choirs in the form of Counting Time (again, written by Gareth Malone). Then we reach two familiar tracks. One is the Military Wives version of the song written for the Queen’s Jubilee’s which they featured on it. It is of course Sing and makes an interesting listen. The second track (and last on the album) is a new version of the title track from the last album, In My Dreams additionally titled Remembrance Version.

Comparing this to their first outing, it doesn’t feel just as strict so to say. This time there feels a much more natural tone that seemed to be missing the last time round. Maybe it’s because there are most choirs involved and shows how popular these military choirs are becoming amongst the armed forces. Lovely collection of tracks that are delivered brilliantly.

Rating: 5/5

Tyler James // Single Tear

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Recognise the name? Well, we didn’t but apparently he was on the BBC The Voice (we don’t remember him, but then again, we lost track with the show when it became just another X-factor….) Still, his debut single comes in the form of Single Tear.

To be honest, on first listen the only place we could see it heading was….Eurovision! With a bridge and chorus that sound a little Darren Hayes-esque and a rather annoying (attempt at) falsetto, it’s like nails on a chalk board. Plus it makes for trying to make some words out very difficult. Verses are okay up to the bridge/chorus sections.

Not doing anything to encourage us to keep tabs on him and his releases. But no doubt those that followed him on the reality show will like.

Rating: 2/5

Train // Bruises Feat. Ashley Monroe

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Somehow we’re not feeling the love for this track. It’s not got that automatic click factor that many of their past track have had. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a good track and the combined vocals work really well. But maybe the click factor has gone because the last few tracks have been a more quicker tempo where as this is a little calmer.

Not something you could listen to a lot, but once in a while wouldn’t hurt

Rating: 3/5

P!nk // Try

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It doesn’t seem to matter what P!nk releases it seems she doesn’t seem to surprise.

Try in every sense is a ballad. The chorus feel a little on the repetitive side but when you break the track down to it’s components, it’s not really made up of too much. And maybe that’s what works in it’s favour.

A little bit of what we know, but not the best that we’ve heard

Rating: 3/5

Paloma Faith // Just Be

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How do you follow up a cover? Well, if your Paloma Faith, it’s to release a song in a similar sound.

Just Be is just a simple piano and vocal performance. And sometimes simple works. Not having an over produced track means we get to appreciate Faith’s impressive vocal skills, from the quietly spoken to the raging crescendo.

Lovely little track from her. Not one to be missed.

Rating: 4/5

McFly // Love Is Easy

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Last time we checked, we were heading into winter, yet the latest offering from the McFly lads has spring/summer written all over it.

This Is Love is a light and bouncy number. More to the point, it got a ukulele as it’s main instrument!! Sorry, we diverge from the point…In some sense, we we’re taken by surprise by the sedate nature of the track. That is until near the end where we hear the noisy McFly that we’re used to. We can’t help sway along to the track and sing along with the “do do” parts of the chorus.

Loving this from the lads and loving them rocking the pink ukulele. Just the taste of sunshine we need.

Rating: 5/5

One Direction // Little Things

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Stop the press! Stop the press! One Direction doing a lovely ballad that’s not full on? Surely not! But it seems that the boys have taken that route with their latest offering from them.

Little Things is a simple vocal and guitar performance, allowing the casual listener to hear another side to the boys. The vocals are brilliant and full of emotion and their vocals blend well when they sing in unison. We don’t believe we’re going to say this but we actually like this.

Quick get us some tissues and find someone to sway along side with. Lovely release from the boys.

Rating: 4/5

Girls Aloud // Something New

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So yes, they’re back together after a long hiatus and now celebrating 10 years together. So of course, they need a new single and that comes in the form of Something New.

There isn’t Something New here though. You can’t help think that you’ve heard it all before from them. It feels a sort of best bits from the past singles, put them in the blender and hey presto, the result is we have a new single. In some ways, maybe it’s worked. It’s giving people that familiar sound at the same time they try to bring some relevant.

Fans will be rejoicing. We say so long as we don’t hear a live version (and we do mean live) of it. we’re happy.

Rating:3/5

Fun // Carry On

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Single number three from Fun comes in the form of Carry On.

It tries to fool you into thinking that it a nice little track with just piano, guitar & vocal to open with, before coming into a full thing. It a way, it reminds us of two things; Runrig’s Loch Lomand and The Proclaimers. We could see The Proclaimers performing this and it sounding right and maybe even liking it, but in it’s current format, it lacks that sort of celtic call & response. And everyone loves one of those.

Not for us unfortunately but a good effort none the less

Rating: 3/5

Carly Rae Jepsen // This Kiss

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Not long off the back of the collaboration with Owl City, Carly Rae Jepsen is back with her second single in the form of This Kiss.

Much like Call Me Maybe, the track feels very generic and a bit like it’s taken the best bits of songs throughout the decades but it hasn’t quite worked. It all honesty, it could quite easily be Call Me Maybe mark 2. Sadly it another song that if heard too many time you are going to be sick of hearing. Nothing here for the discerning listener.

Rating: 2/5

Susan Boyle // Standing Ovation

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It’s been a while since Susan Boyle has released anything but now she is back with her forth studio album, Standing Ovation.

Opening with the timeless classic Somewhere Over The Rainbow. It is a track that can only be done two ways: either brilliantly or murder it. And fortunately Susan delivers it brilliantly. Next we heard into The Winner Takes It All which has a beautiful arrangement to it but at the same time, there does as times feel as if there is something missing. Send In The Clowns suits Susan’s voice and gives an opportunity to showcase her range from soft to loud and back again.

The Music Of The Night  opens with what sounds like a music box playing the melody, and is maybe a hark back to the musical from which it comes. This track also features the Phantom himself, Michael Crawford and both voices work well. Bring Him Home is another great track before heading into another classic from the stage in the form of Memory from Cats and once again she does justice to the track.

Staying on the streets it’s into Oliver! with As Long As He Needs Me which Susan delivers heading into a crescendo, before her voice back for the softer moments straight after. Heading into the Opera we’re presented with All I Ask Of You Donny Osmond. There are moments where Osmond’s pop voice does creep in which does distract slightly, however, for the most part, the song does work.

As if she doesn’t have enough, it over to FAME for the next track in Out Here On My Own again delivered brilliantly before jumping aboard the Carousel for You’ll Never Walk Alone which builds gradually until it’s crowning moment at the end. For the encore it’s another duet with Donny Osmond in the form of This Is The Moment. Sadly unlike it’s predecessor, this track doesn’t work possibly down to the fact that the parts appear to be in to different keys for Boyle and Osmond and doesn’t make for a good mix when both sing together.

Overall, it isn’t a bad album. The songs are well arranged and produced well so that there are no overpowering moments where something feels out of balance. And in the most, suited to her voice. It’s is sadly the last track that ruins the moment, and if we could remove it, the album would be great. Lovely selection of stage classics and an album surely to be on any Susan Boyle list.

Rating: 4/5

Bentley Jones // UPGRADE 1.0

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It’s been almost a year since we heard anything from Mr Jones (although he has been remixing some of the biggest tracks this year too as well as recording this little offering) but now his latest album, UPGRADE 1.0 is available.

Opening with a new version of Down In Tokyo (with the aptly tag Upgrade Version) originally featuring on his album Finally Free. Moving on from this is the collaboration with Japanese singer May J and Curtis Young in the form of Who.Am.I?. Next is a track that we can only describe as having a rebellious hint about being yourself (Sexy People). Slowing the tempo (but not the sound) is the beautiful Ready To Be Loved before upping the tempo again with Boys And Girls

Another beautiful track is The City Of Angels that has a bit of an 80s feel to it, yet still feels relevant today.DizKonnekt 〜Touchscreen Segue〜 serves it’s purpose providing a nice joining point between the last track and the next, Touchscreen. Invincible is another collaboration with another Japanese artist (SHUN) but whereas Who.Am.I? was sung completely in English, this track does feature a mix of English and Japanese, with a chorus not to unfamiliar (think Britney Spears Til The World Ends).

Another track with a familiar sound (depending on what circles you used to travel in) is Let Me Be With You which again is a track that if unleashed on the radio today, wouldn’t sound so out of place. Tokkata sees Bentley sample Bach’s classical piece Toccata in what we believe is a first for him and for the most, sees the lyrics built around the sound of the piece. Another joining interlude follows this (Emersion 〜Intermezzo〜) before we have 理由〜Give Me A Reason〜. To finish the album off we have two happier tracks the first being Joyful ~Upgrade Wynter Ver.~ (the original version appeared on his Entourage EP) and finally Just For You.

Bentley himself describes these tracks as chapters of his recent life and we think that it does manage to convey that without being too in your face about it. Yes the tracks will mean something to him but at the same time, there is space to allow the listener to make their own decisions about the tracks. Great to have Bentley back. A definite buy for any fan!

Rating: 4/5

Alex Cornish @ 13th Note Cafe Glasgow (20th November 2012)

You might think that acts go on tour because they have something to promote, usually a new album. Not always the case though, and Alex Cornish is an example of this. It’s been a year and 4 months since the singer/songwriter was last in the city and with tweets hinting at practicing songs never played on tour before and limited edition (handmade by the way) EP available, who could say no?

Supporting Alex was once again was Paul Gilbody (also the double bass player in the band). Starting with a track he describes as ‘a song about the weather’ (it must be something about Scottish based acts having an affinity with rain) before being introduce to a ‘10 year old track’ that he’s about to release as a single that goes by the name of Ricochet (maybe music is like a good malt; needs time to age). Next things are slowed down with Quicksand before playing a request of Sushi. Finally Paul finished his set off with a new song called Magnets Have Souls. A quick re-arrange of the furniture so to speak and we’re ready for the main event.

Opening with a track from his forthcoming album, it was then onto more familiar territory with Storm To Pass and an interesting version of Counting Chimney Pots before hopping back to his 3rd album No Shore for Rely. A short break to welcome the small group in the cosy & intimate venue and introduce the last couple of tracks. We stay with the 3rd album for the next three tracks (Open Your Eyes, Skyline Of Paris & Always A Way) though between the 2nd and 3rd tracks there is a slight technical issue that provided a kodak moment that would have asked; how many musicians does it take to fix… and Alex commenting that ‘one day I’ll have guitar techs to sort this for me’.It’s back to the debut album, Until The Traffic Stops for the next track in the form of Lights On.  

 

Taking a breather, Alex comments how he’s been lucky that his songs have been picked up my shows in America and about the number of downloads. He added that obviously those shows aren’t watched in Glasgow as there would have been more people there. He first plays Don’t Hold Me Back (featured in The Big C (Season 1, Ep 4) before heading onto the The Shame (featured in Private Practice). After this he points out that last year, Paul had taken up learning the ukulele and that he thought it would be a good idea if Paul could play one of his songs. This leads into Breathe Slow (featured in The Big C (Season 2)

Another breather moment where Alex thanks those present for coming out and announces that this time next year he’s be playing the SECC and charging exuberant amount on the tickets, but how he’d be remembered as ‘the guy with guitar troubles’ but having a great band. It’s here he introduces Craig on the drums (a familiar Craig as it the Craig who’s usually touring with Sandi Thom), Paul on double bass and Bevis on keys. They head into the final track of the set in the form of the beautiful This Is The Point.

Of course, it’s not the end and Alex decides to give himself an encore. First it a cover of the Dire Strait’s song Brothers In Arms before we’re treated to another new song also from his forthcoming album How I’m Meant To Be. Finally, Paul and Criag return for the final track of the night, Scotland The Brave.

It’s always interesting to hear Alex live. You could see him numerous times and still find that there is something new to hear in a track and it purely comes down to performance. Hearing a few new tracks may have wetted the appetite but in the meantime, the starter to keep those settled comes in the handmade, limited edition EP that he’s selling. Fun night on a miserable Tuesday night.

Photos: © Vhari Lannigan

Alex Cornish
Official Site
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Paul Gilbody
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Bruno Mars // Locked Out Of Heaven

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The last we really remember hearing from Bruno Mars was his track Grenade. He may have released something else but it's never reached us. Still, we can't complain as his new single Locked Out Of Heaven is here.

One thing that really caught our attention from the word go was how familiar it sounded. In the back of our heads, it sounds like a String/Police song though we can't quite place the song. Still, we're loving it particularly when it seem to go into a small rock section in the chorus.

It's something old with something new added to produce something completely different. Lovely like track.

Rating: 4/5

Alicia Keys // Girl On Fire

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When was the last time we heard anything from Alicia Keys, but now she returns with new single in the form of Girl On Fire.

It's got a familiar feeling and sound to the track that people would probably associate with Miss Keys. Full of short phases and long notes showcasing her vocal prowess and what we all love about her. Our only complaint is that we struggle to understand the inclusion of Nicki Minaj on the track. She isn't needed and it does feel as if she detracts from the main song.

Remove Nicki and we would have a great little number that would probably be on a lot more.

Rating: 3/5

Labrinth // Beneath Your Beautiful Feat. Emeli Sande

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When you think Labrinth you probably think Earthquake. Which is probably why his latest track, Beneath Your Beautiful took us by surprise.

Featuring woman of the moment Emeli Sande, it's a beautiful ballad between the two. Both compliment each others vocals which is probably why we like it so much. Each has their own section of the song before joining together on the bridge and chorus.

One of this years best collaborations and a perfect lovey dovey number. First wedding dance material we think.

Rating: 4/5

Lawson // Chapman Square

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Buy @ Official Store

2012 has been a good year so far for the boys of Lawson and now they’ve released their debut album, Chapman Square.

Opening with current single, Standing In The Dark (which we reviewed here), it moves onto Gone which has a Coldplay-esque Oh-oh-oh-ho section and is about heartbreak, yet, it doesn’t have that usual, feel sorry air around it. From heartache to love as it jumps to single two in the form of Taking Over Me (reviewed here). Everywhere You Go is the first slow-ish track on the album, showing that they can do other speeds and styles.

Waterfall is about yet another relationship breaking up (are they really that unlucky in love?) but has a feeling of deja-vu from an earlier track but still a great vocal showcase. And now we reach the song that never seemed to leave in the form of When She Was Mine (reviewed here). The pace is raised as the album heads into Make It Happen which is good until the end where it seems that they might have run out of ideas as there are a few more oh than we like to hear (although in it’s defence, it probably works great live for getting the crowd involved). Diving into pop territory with Learn To Love Again, we treated to a positive song about love.

It seems our hopes are dashed as we head back into a song about…losing love and it comes in the form of Stolen. But it’s a lovely heart-felt number from the band. You’ll Never Know does exactly what it says; that an ex won’t know what they’re missing.  You Didn’t Tell Me starts with a very simple opening on keys and is on the same song sheet as Standing In The Dark as it deals with seeing the one you loved with someone else. Finally the album closes with The Girl I Knew, a stripped back, acoustic affair which rounds the album off beautifully.

Well, that is if you have the standard release of the album. The deluxe album features an additional 6 tracks  (Anybody Out There, Who You Gonna Call, Red Sky, Touch and acoustic versions of the singles Taking Over Me and When She Was Mine).

As a debut, it’s not a bad offering. With a couple of deja vu tracks on the standard album, you can’t help thinking that if the additional tracks from the deluxe album had been added before The Girl I Knew that it could possibly have been a great little album. But looking at the positives, the boys have either written or co-written the tracks on the album and they play their own instruments. Not much else you can ask for them really. They’ve now set a baseline for them to work from. Will be interesting to see where they go from here.

Rating: 4/5

Amy Macdonald // 4th Of July

Photo: © Vhari Lannigan

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Timed for airplay for just when her latest tour was about to kick off, the 3rd single from Amy Macdonald’s Life In A Beautiful Light album comes in the form of 4th Of July.

It might come as a surprise, but we don’t see the single potential in this track. It’s alright on the album and a live version of it isn’t too bad at all either, but as a single we just cannot buy into it. It doesn’t particularly sell itself and it’s probably down to the fact that it doesn’t lend itself to getting you sing along with it like many of her tracks do. It just sort of trundles along at it’s own little pace.

Sadly not a fireworks display worthy the 4th of July. It’s more of a damp squib.

Rating: 2/5

Brian May // Born Free Feat. Kerry Ellis

Single
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Acoustic
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Single & Video
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It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from these two, but last week saw the release of the latest offering from the Queen guitarist and the singer, probably best known for her appearances in West End productions.

Coinciding with a small tour, Born Free is a cover of the famous track, originally done by Matt Monro in 1966 for the film of the same name. Whilst remaining true to such an iconic song, the pair have had additional lyrics added to the track by it’s original lyricist, Don Black, and in doing so, makes the song their own. A lovely rendition of a classic track and a welcome back to the duo

Rating: 4/5

Sandi Thom @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Glasgow (10th November 2012)

It's been 2 years, 6 months and 3 days since Sandi was last in Glasgow, but it's been 4 years and 4 months since she last graced the stage of the infamous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.

Opening for Sandi was Edinburgh singer/songwriter Carrie Mac. Taking to the stage, she performed a selection of tracks including Love Curse, Heartbreaker (where she announced that she'd only ever played it live once before!), recent single Things I Wish I'd Said, Little Respect (a popular cover amongst fans where she said the crowd could join in if they wanted), Falling At Your Feet and finishing off with Like A Star.

It wasn't long until the main act was ready to take the stage. Opening with two tracks from her latest release (Help Me and Stormy Weather) before heading into the familiar but yet different I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers In My Hair). Rise As One is come next followed by the first visit to the Merchants and Thieves album in the form of Show No Concern.

Before heading into the next track, Sandi begins to tell the tale behind her next track (whilst tuning her guitar) about her moving to Tooting and about the man who always seemed to always be drunk but sang like Frank Sinatra even after 10 pints (which got the response from the crowd of 'So did Frank Sinatra'). This led into a track from her debut album Smile...It Confuses People in the form of Human Jukebox. From here it's seamless into another track from the same album, the beautiful Castles.

After this quiet moment, the tempo (and noise!) level is raised as they head into Ain't That A Lot Of Love. Keeping the pace is This Ol' World with backing vocalist Lindsey taking the sections that originally Joe Bonamassa sang on the track and both her Sandi sounded great. Taking it down for the moment is I Owe You Zero before making some more noise with Heart Of Stone.

Another moment of reflection comes as Sandi describes the recording the next track with it's original artist, Buffy Sainte Marie and how it was a great honour to do so. It is of course Big Ones Get Away. After this beautiful performance, Sandi announces that they have a couple of special guests to join them for the next track and up hop Scottish hip hop duo Shy & DRS to perform the track Revolution before they and all but Sandi and guitarist Steve are left.

She decides at this point it’s time to come down and join the crowd and see what it’s like from where they are and then begins the background on the next track; how she was trying to impress her now boyfriend Joe Bonamassa with the next track and hoping not to murder it seeing as it was one of his. This story leads us into I Need Your Love So Bad. After this, she hops back up onto the stage as the rest of the band join her for the last and title track to her latest album, Flesh and Blood. Of course it’s not the last track as after leaving the stage for a few minutes, they’re back to sing Runaway Train with some crowd participation involved.

Overall, it's great to see Sandi back in Glasgow. She called it her first homecoming gig (with Aberdeen & Edinburgh still to go at the time) and apparently Glasgow is the only place where she has full conversations with the audience during a set. It’s always interesting to hear the songs live because they never seem to be how they were recorded in the first place, but that is the draw of seeing an artist live. She seems more content now that she is doing her own thing. And of course a mention to Carrie Mac who said that she was nervous and didn’t know why. She had no reason to be worried

Steps // Light Up The World

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In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock somewhere or have been incommunicado for a while, you might have missed that 90s pop band Steps are back. After a successful Ultimate tour, they’re now ready to release their first album in 11 years, with lead single and album title, Light Up The World.

Sadly, it’s only flickers. The song maintains a very similar sound to what you might have expected from their previous albums and feels more album material rather than a single. It feels like they’ve just stuck with the same formula that seemed to work previously and hoping for the best. It’s a Tragedy that from it coming from a supposed Winter album, it doesn’t feel it and you’d probably be expecting a little ballad.

It’s Heartbeat’s faint, it’s not very Here and Now and we’re feeling more One For Sorrow than Love’s Gotta Hold Of My Heart. We’ve hoping the album might bring us hope but we’re not going to hold our breathe.

Rating: 2//5

New Music Friday // Only Boys Aloud

If you follow Britain’s Got Talent then you will probably recognise this group. Only Boys Aloud are made up boys from the Welsh valley’s, their groups mentored by members of Only Men Aloud. They are possibly the next generation of male voice choir that the valleys are famous for. They’re just about to release their self titled debut album (which will come in two forms, a standard and a christmas edition), In the meantime, check out this performance from Britain’s Got Talent where they came third.

Official Website

Little Mix // DNA

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Hoping to follow it it’s predecessors footsteps is the next single from Little Mix in the form of the the title track to their forthcoming album debut album, DNA 

Again, the girls have have co-written the track. In a way it’s reminds us of Katy Perry’s E.T. (which of course the girls did cover on the X-factor). And to be honest, it’s a good song but sadly the annoyance comes when the track reaches the chorus. The stuttering on some of the words is okay but as the more you hear it, the more it seems to annoy rather than add.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re glad to see the girls having a hand it writing their tracks and might explain why the  album has taken so long compared to previous winners. Sadly not taking our breathe away (although the Sin City-esque video isn’t half bad!) but will be looking to see what else the girls bring with the release of their album.

Rating: 3/5

Amy Macdonald @ O2 ABC Glasgow (30th October 2012)

Amy’s return to Glasgow makes her appearance at the O2 ABC exactly 2 years & 9 days since her last tour rolled into town. it should be no surprise that back in her home town, she sold out 2 nights at the venue.

Supporting her was not the Kristina Train that some had thought would have (based on a tweet from Amy herself) but was in fact Paisley based singer songwriter Michael Cassidy. Performing a number of songs in his half hour set, including Meet You At The Corner, Everybody’s Scared, Fifteen Years and forthcoming single Battleships, Michael commented that on the Sunday he had performed to only 9 people and how this performance was 200 times that and that Amy’s fans obviously had good taste in music. He also made use of the crowd cheering when one female voice continued after everyone else calm down he said ‘thanks mum’ and ‘thanks dad’ when a male voice called out too, getting a few laughs from the crowd.

It didn’t take the stage crew long to clear up and ready the stage for the main event, although when levels were being checked on the mics, there was an air that the crowd would have loved to have had a call and response with the guy checking them. Soon, an introductionary theme of bagpipes begins, the band take their positions on stage and the curtain is removed revealing a backdrop of silhouetted roads signs and telegraph poles, as the band strike up and Amy takes stage with guitar in hand, heading into the first song of the night, 4th Of July.

From this it’s straight into what probably her hardcore fans would call her debut single, Poison Prince, a song that gets the fans clapping and singing a long. Her she pauses, welcoming everyone to the night and commenting how it’s lovely to be home and how she hears of others acts commenting about how good the Scottish crowds are when the play. It’s another track from her debut album in the form of L.A. .

Spark follows and as if in progression, The Game comes next, which shows how much Amy has grown into her voice. It might have sounded good in recording, but holding the word and climbing the scale, she has the crowd enthralled. Back to album 1 and it’s one of the fan favourites Mr Rock & Roll which again starts the sing-along of which Amy’s gig do soon become. Amy reflects after this back to T in the Park, where she believe she first played the next song, commenting about people standing in a marsh, singing along and reminds them that there is probably a crowd participation moment in it. She is of course talking about Slow It Down, the first single from her current album, Life In A Beautiful Light. And the crowd doesn’t fail to deliver and nether does Amy as she seems to hit all the notes.

A slight re-arrangement on stage and Amy announces that she knows there are some hardcore fans out there that see her every time she tours, so they’ve decided to do a little acoustic set in the set. This begins with her doing a version of her track Love Love with it just her and her guitar, making it slightly different from other performances. Then we have a rare sight. Amy without her guitar for a new 2012 tour version of Give It All Up (even though it debuted on BBC Radio 2 In Concert back in July!) Guitar back again for This Pretty Face along with the band before a new cover for the tour.

She begins by saying she wishes they could show the audience what goes on back stage. So far they’ve had Shannon (keyboards) playing the piano in his pants, and having a sing-a-long to another song. But this cover made it’s appearance at her gig in Dublin for Arthur’s Day. It is indeed a cover a  Jackie Wilson’s (You Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher. Reservations had been made when this cover had come to light online though it has to be said that any video of this song does not do it just as Amy threw herself into it, making it her own whilst respecting the original.

Normal service resumes as she enters into the first single from A Curious Thing in the shape of Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over, a song that gets keeps the crowd going getting clapping along. The Green and The Blue comes next and seems appropriate for her to play it in Glasgow given that it refers to Celtic and RFC 2012 (also known as Rangers). As the next song begins however, it’s obvious that many don’t seem to appreciate the finger picked first verse of No Roots as voices can be heard over Amy and it’s only once the full band start on the chorus, that voices are drowned out and order is restored.

Amy takes a moment to mention her 3rd album and it’s release; about how it reached number one in Scotland but only managed number two in the UK charts because of Gary Barlow and his Commonwealth Band and how Scotland obviously has good taste in music. She reminisces about her next track and about performing the national anthem at Hampden Park with Scotland plays. This of course leads into Pride and another chance for a clap along. The Killer’s inspired Run follows before heading into another firm fan favourite, This Is The Life, Amy working the crowd for them to sing along with her, which really they don’t need as they’re already with her. The final track of her main set comes in the title track of her current album, and tour name, Life In A Beautiful Light and has the perfect outro in it’s long instrumental at the end of the track.

The crowd chants for more and sure enough, Amy returns for her encore. Once more, she sings The Furthest Star minus her guitar, showing she’s not reliant on having it with her all the time. Taking it up a notch and back with her familiar counterpart, it’s into the resounding Barrowland Ballroom before finishing up with a Let’s Start A Band that finishes the night off where it started; on a high.

Looking back at where Amy has been and where she is now, you can see the change in her. There is more confidence in her and in her delivery. She’s grown into her voice and yes, you can hear that on her latest album, but to truly appreciate how far she has come, you have to hear her live. With a perfect balance to banter and songs, for the price of the ticket (£ + booking fee of £) you were rewarded with 20 tracks from across her three albums plus her one cover. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been taking a copy of the night home (fans have been wasted after the last tour).

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

Michael Cassidy
Official Site | Facebook

Amy Macdonald
Official Site | Facebook | Amazon UK | iTunes | Official Store

Stooshe // Waterfalls

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To be honest, the latest girl group on the scene Stooshe hasn't done anything to enthral us. Yes they've had two songs that are alright to start with but start to annoy after a while. However, it's not the case with their latest offering.

Maybe it's wrong to like it seeing as it is in fact a cover of the 90's classic Waterfalls by TLC. And to be honest, they do do it justice. There is maybe just one additional section that the girls have put in to make it their own, but they're bringing the song to a new generation of music listeners.

Good effort from the girls and worthwhile a listen.

Rating: 4/5

Olly Murs // Troublemaker Feat. Flo Rida

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Mr Murs has been quiet of late but maybe that's because he's been off in America (where apparently he's been doing well) plus he's also back on The Xtra Factor. But now he's back with his new single ahead of forthcoming album.

Troublemaker is a great little track that will have you snapping your fingers along with it. It's got Olly written all over it and is what we loved from some of his past singles. And for once, Flo Rida involvement does seem to work.

Great little welcome back from Olly and it one we can't help feeling dancing a little dance la Charleston.

Rating: 4/5

Lindsey Stirling // Lindsey Stirling

 
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To be honest, until a few months ago we hadn't heard of the name Lindsey Stirling until we were introduced to her music via an online forum. But apparently she appeared on a season of America's Got Talent and was dubbed the hip-hop violinst. Well now in 2012, she's released her self-titled debut album.

The opening track Electric Daisy Violin begins quietly before bursting into life. Zi-Zi Journey continues the paces and sounding as if it belongs as an opening theme to an animated show or video game whilst Crystalize introduces a dup-step element into the mix.

Song Of The Caged Bird slows the tempo of the album with a feeling to match while Moon Trance brings a little bit of mysticism to the album. Next we have Minimal Beat which does exactly what it says in the title as it there is only a basic bass line throughout the track. Transcendence brings back the hip hop elements of the album again which continues through into the neighbouring track Elements.

Shadows is a mid-tempo track that you could actually easily see as background music in a game like WipeOut. From here, the tempo rises for Spontaneous Me and Anti Gravity before returning with what could be seen as a mirror of the opening track (Stars Align).

It's an interesting album that seems to rise then fall in a perfect curve although the final track does leave you expecting something to come after that. The album itself features 6 previously released but remastered tracks and 6 new ones. It's not a combination that many would probably associate together and you wouldn't think that it would work. But it does, and in a way it does bring an instrument that many probably only associate with classical music to another genre of people

Rating: 4/5

Christina Aguilera // Your Body

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Ms Aguilera has been quiet on the music scene since the release of Bionic a few years ago, although she has been been busy on the US version of The Voice and being a mum. But now she's back to offer her first single from new album Lotus, in the form of Your Body

To be honest, we don't feel this track at all. In a general sense, we get a feeling of a slower tempo Can't Hold Us Down but there is something missing. And it seems that she seems to think that the only way to get the song attention is with a chorus that declares all I want to do is f*** your body.

The song gets very tedious very quickly and it's not a song that you can see listening to often. In fact, we'd probably skip the track completely. Our hopes are dashed over what the rest of the album may sound like.

Rating: 1/5

Rihanna // Diamonds

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There are times where Rihanna can bring a great track and then there are other that you can't help think 'why release that?' Diamonds is one of those tracks.

The track itself feels as if it maybe started as a interlude and then some bright spark thought, 'let's add some lyrics' that sadly does nothing for the track. It becomes annoying fast and quite possibly the way she singing diamonds is to blame for it.

Pass it by if you can or make up your own lyrics.

Rating: 1/5

Naughty Boy // Wonder Feat. Emeli Sande

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You probably won’t recognise the name of the main artist here (Naughty Boy) but you should be familiar with the Scots singer/songwriter Emeli Sande. Well, turns out that Naughty Boy produce Sande’s album but now they are ready to start releasing their own music as well. And what better way than with who you’ve just produced an album for?

People may be familiar with the track seeing as it has been featured on the recent Sky promotional trailer showcasing some of their shows. It’s a nice bright & light track and showcases Sande’s vocals brilliantly. And with a catchy chorus that is easily infectious and will have you singing along.

Lovely track with a summery feel released just as the nights are closing in.

Rating: 5/5

Paloma Faith // Never Tear Us Apart

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The John Lewis ads in recent years have featured cover versions of songs in their adverts either by known or in some cases, unknown artists. The latest act to sing on one of their ads is Paloma Faith with a cover version of the INXS song Never Tear Us Apart.

To be fair, it’s not bad version of it. She has managed to stick to the original but at the same time, put her own stamp on it and brought it to a new generation. She has the right sounding vocals for it, dark but still able to bring a little light into it. But let’s be honest, the best version does have to be the original, right?

Nice little cover number from Paloma but fear we might be sick of it after hearing it a number of times on the ad.

Rating: 4/5