Let us introduce you to The Strike Nineteens, a band hailing from Dumbarton, Scotland. We first came across them as they supported Mike & The Mechanics in Glasgow at the O2 Academy on Wednesday. Though it was a bit more acousticy than what the normally play, we liked them enough to go and track them down online. One of our favourite tracks was Ashes Of The Fury that you can check out below:
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You can’t help feeling that everyone is jumping onto the Jubilee/Olympics bandwagons at present. Another artist with a album out on this sort of theme is Russell Watson with his album Anthems.
Opening with Race To The End (probably best known as Chariots of Fire) you might get a sense of what to expect from the album. From the powerful, we head into what seems first a gentle version of Swing Low but it’s builds to it crescendo at the end of it. Next is a cover of the Queen hit We Are The Champions but there seems to be something missing from this version…
World In Union is next which was recently done by New Zealander Hayley Westenra for the rugby world cup. Sadly it feels a little sharp as some words at the end of phrases, seem to be snapped. Abide With Me is next and is performed with the elegance and grace you’d expect from Watson on a track like this. The classic Danny Boy comes in with a beautiful piano accompaniment, building to include some well places strings. The iconic White Cliffs of Dover is next and is a duet with the woman herself Vera Lynn, and is just beautiful.
Calon Lan is next and sang in both English and Welsh (with a lovely Welsh Male Voice Choir as backing). How do you follow a Welsh track? Well, you follow it up by and English in the form of Jerusalem. Of course, you can’t miss out the Scottish national anthem, that is Flower of Scotland. But sadly we think that he’s trying to heard with this track. This could be a case of there is only one that can sing this and that would be the Scots themselves. Last Night of The Proms favourite, Land Of Hope & Glory redeems Watson though.
Nimrod is a spoken track whilst Proud is a cover of the Heather Small track that formed part of the London 2012 Olympic bid. Finally the album closes with the national anthem, God Save The Queen though sadly this is just an instrumental.
Overall, for an album called Anthems, it doesn’t seem to live up the name. The cover of the more modern tracks just don’t seem to suit his voice and, at time, don’t seem to be going anywhere or are missing something. The only tracks that truly redeem him on the album really are the more hymnal tracks or those that are more suited to classical voice. Fans may enjoy but others may feels that it’s just bandwagon jumping.
Rating:2/5
You’ve all heard of the angel’s share, that being the small percentage that seems to evaporate into nothing while whisky is aging. Well, this films takes that idea a little further.
Robbie (Paul Brannigan) is ordered to to do community payback after attacking a couple of other guys, narrowly escaping jail as he’s a soon to be father. Finding a friend in Harry (John Henshaw), he introduces Robbie and a few others (Albert (Gary Maitland), Mo (Jasmin Riggins) and Rhino (William Ruane)) to the world of Whisky. After a visiting a whisky meeting and hearing about a rare whisky that’s about to be auctioned off, the four friends make plans to get to it and get the ‘angels share’
It is a bit slow to get going, but once it does it’s a bundle of laughs. The language is quite choice, but then again, it’s is based in Glasgow for the most part and in honesty, it adds to the realism of the characters. And we’ve all known a Albert or at least, can relate to someone like him. There is one moment near the end of the film that when we saw it, produced an audible gasp that would have made you think that the screen was full (it’s wasn’t).
Bare the slowish start and go enjoy a fun film. Oh and we do wonder if Barrs had a hand in funding this…..judging by the number of Irn Bru cans and bottles seen in the film….or maybe they’ve just realised that where all their missing bottles are!
Rating:4/5
A few months ago, Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald launched the STV Appeal by announcing that she was going to undertake 5 gig in one day to raise funds for the charity. Having already been in Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling & Edinburgh, Amy’s final gig of the day was to be in her hometown of Glasgow as SWG3.
Before Amy, we were introduced to Kamina Francis, a singer/songwriter from Blackpool who played three acoustic little numbers (which included Wherever I Go and Glory Days as well as gave some good old fashioned banter to the crowd between tracks. Despite the short set, she seemed to wow the crowd (and at the end of the night was seen meeting people, having her photo taken and seemed genuinely glad people had taken to her)
Next we had a little introduction from comedian Bruce Devlin, who had also been at all 5 gigs across the day and was giving the crowd a little background information to what the money raised was going to be doing as well as making use of members of the crowd for comedy. Then he introduced the woman of the moment to the stage, making way for Amy and two other band members.
Her first offering to the Glasgow crowd came in the form of current single Slow It Down (first from the new album Life In A Beautiful Light) which provided the crowd with their first listen to her voice. And despite the fact that she’d already played 4 other gigs in the day, her voice was still going strong as if it was the first gig of the day. At the end of this, she explained that as she wasn’t having to rush off anywhere after the gig, that Glasgow was getting a slightly longer set. This lead into the first playing of the day for the track from her second album (A Curious Thing) Spark.
Next it was onto the track that according to Amy was the one that probably introduced many of those present in the crowd to her. It is of course, Mr Rock & Roll from the debut album This Is The Life. Following this, she hints that she’s got a new album out and asks if anyone’s got it. The response isn’t enthralling, but she hopes that after hearing her tonight that people will go but it. At this point members of the crowd appear to wave copies and some asks would she sign it. She answers yes. Bless her. This leads in to a wonderful rendition of her new album’s title, Life In A Beautiful Light.
She recounts a stop for during the day at McDonald’s (probably just visiting relatives) where her radio promoter apparently overheard a few policemen (Amy seems to think it was a daily meeting judging by the numbers). Apparently one was overheard saying that they recognised her and that she had a new album. When asked how they knew, he replied that they were signed up to the mailing list (we like this person already) but that he deleted it straightaway. Anyone would have thought it was panto season all over again with the boos and hissing. All this after she’s posed for photos and autographs. She announces that this next song isn’t for them and proceeds to play Love Love.
Some backstory before the next track about getting to sing the national anthem at Hamden Park for the Scottish football team…before watching them get beaten….again. It’s another track from the new album called Pride. Finally rounding the whole set off is the ever popular This Is The Life which had the crowd going from the word go as well as a little sing along with her. And true to her word, a tired but still smiling Amy met fans afterwards signing and have photos taken.
Overall, it was a great night for a great cause and Despite having done a previous 4 gigs, Amy still managed to save some for the hometown audience and still delivered what many could have said was a first show performance. It’s a fantastic feat for her to have accomplished but sadly, we don’t think she’s going to make the Guinness World Records though it. It did however manage to raise a staggering £10,000 for the appeal. Let’s hope it’s not too long before Amy’s back gracing the UK stages in a tour of her own.
Photos © Vhari Lannigan
Karima Francis:
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Amy Macdonald:
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Photo: © Vhari Lannigan Let us introduce you singer/songwriter Karima Francis. With a beautiful voice and heartfelt songs, she’s due to release her album, The Remedy in August this year. Recently came to our attention thanks to a support slot in Glasgow where she performed a few acoustic tracks and we were impressed with her performance so we’re hoping for great things with the album. We reckon that she might be one to watch.
Check out her track Wherever I Go below
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The latest single to be taken from the album Talk That Talk is the track, Where Have You Been
The track was co-produced by Scottish producer Calvin Harris, and the pair have already had an outing for her previous hit, We Found Love. Filled the electronic synths and longing vocals, we can help feel that we’ve been here before with Rihanna….maybe on a track called Don’t Stop Music. Anyway, maybe this familiarity with help it with listeners although many will still recognise the familiar vocal sounds. It’s a track that even without remixes is likely to get people in the clubs up, dancing and probably singing along with the chorus
Rating: 3/5
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Deluxe Version
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Super Deluxe Version
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Has it really only been 2 years since A Curious Thing was released? Apparently so, but now, after taking a year out, Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald is back with her third studio album, Life In A Beautiful Light
The album opens with sounds like to be heard at the American celebration of 4th of July. With background Ahhhhhhh and trumpet fanfares, it a bit more than we’re probably used to, but it still good. Pride comes up next and just has Macdonald’s name written all over it with a familiar sound. Next is Slow It Down (which we reviewed back at the start of May. See the review here). The Furthest Star in some instances gives a nursery rhyme sort of feel to it and at sometimes it does feel as if there are too many lyrics to fit. Still, it’s a nice mid-tempo track.
The Game shows a different side to Amy and how much she’s willing to push her voice now. It does sort of remind us of something that fellow Scots The Proclaimers might sing. Across The Nile was inspired by the Egyptian celebrations and it shimmers with keys, guitar and drums in equal balance. The Days Of Being Young And Free show once again how she’s grown into her voice, this time with some of the lower notes in it.
Left That Body Long Ago comes with Amy’s Glaswegian twang throughout it. We do warn that it’s likely to cause tears, particular if you’re familiar with the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, something that Macdonald was familiar with as her nan suffered with it before her death. From tears and sadness, we head into a bright and uptempo track, that is also the title. Life In A Beautiful Light once again has tinges of the Glaswegian twang on most words. Our only criticism is what the over 1 minute bit of odd sound is at the end of what is a great song.
A song inspired by the Chilean Miners is up next in the form of Human Spirit (see the Slow It Down single review for our view on this track) . The Green and the Blue is reference to the well known rivalry between Glasgow’s two teams, Rangers and Celtic but in certain parts does remind us of Runrig’s Loch Lomand. The aptly named In The End is the generally the last track for the album and is a resounding ending to the album.
Of course, there are other versions of the album. The deluxe version features acoustic versions of Slow It Down, The Furthest Star, The Green and The Blue, Across The Nile and 4th of July. We should stress that these acoustics are just Amy and her guitar and can probably be seen as how Amy heard them when she was writing them. There are also singalong instrumentals for Slow it Down, 4th of July and Pride.
And finally, if you really want to push the boat out, there is the super deluxe version that comes with the standard album, another disc with 19 tracks comprising of acoustic versions of Slow It Down, The Furthest Star, Across The Nile, 4th of July, The Days Of Being Young and Free, The Game and Born To Run plus…..ALL the singalong instrumentals to all the tracks on the album! There’s also a DVD with 5 acoustic performances (4th of July, Pride, Slow It Down, The Furthest Star and The Green and The Blue). Not only that but there is 2 numbered litho artworks and the sheet music for Slow It Down. Not bad for the price to be honest!
There is one final track to talk about and that is an acoustic one called Two Worlds. It’s a hidden track (but we didn’t tell you that…but it wouldn’t be an Amy Macdonald album without one!) We reckon that it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste but it’s a lovely little ballad number.
Looking at the album, it’s probably been a good idea for Macdonald to take the year off. Whilst the album maintains the familiar sound that Macdonald has become known for but at the same time, she’s trying something a little different. She’s written the entire album herself, a rarity these days especially for someone of Amy’s age. But she’s continued to use her tried and tested formula of using life experiences to inspire her songs. As she’s said herself, she has grown into her voice and is willing to try different things now. A fantastic album from a great Scottish artist who deserves more appreciation in the UK like she receives across in Europe.
Rating: 5/5
So the for the last football world cup we had K’naan’s Waving Flag which featured a familiar sound from a popular drinks company? Well, seeing as the next biggest sporting event is upon us, that popular drinks company is being sampled again for Anywhere In The World
Now there is an interesting fact about this song. Not only does it sample the familiar refrain, the song is actually made up from sounds from some of the Olympic sports (there’s a Sport-a-pella Version…we do seriously recommend a listen to that!). Okay, so it not exactly a fantastic song, but considering that it’s a global brand and the Olympics are bringing countries together, it’s not a bad concept. The song of course is only part Coca-Cola’s Move To The Beat campaign. Still, if it gets people singing along together, lets not complain
Rating:3/5
Hot off the back of the previous singles Good Feeling and Wild Ones (feat. Sia), comes new summery track Whistle.
Our favourite bit has to be the actual whistling in it. It has quite a laid back feel to it in it’s opening before going into full pop track but still we’d like to bet that the track will be getting plenty of air play with the summer sun, even if the lyrics are….questionable. But it’s going to be the whistling that sticks in your head long after the songs finished…in fact in some instances, it may be the only thing that you remember of it….
Rating:2/5
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There seems to be no stopping Ms. Clarkson with her current album, Stronger with already having 2 top 10 singles on it,and, just around the corner is 3rd single, Dark Side.
It lulls you into a false sense that it could be a ballad with a haunting music box opening before bring in drums and guitar, coming into it’s own by the 2nd verse and definitely by the chorus. It showcases Clarkson’s gentle voice as well as the big powerful voice that we’ve heard in the previous two singles and the balance between them and the instrumentation is on par.
Maybe not as strong as Stronger but should hopefully be another top 10 if not top 5 track from the American.
Rating: 4/5
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In case you weren’t aware, it’s Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond jubilee, only the second British monarch to celebrate as long. So it would appear that the UK is going jubilee mad, and that includes the music world. One of the latest to throw their hat into the ring is Take That’s Gary Barlow and what is being deemed The Commonwealth Band with the album, Sing.
The title track itself was written by Barlow and musical maestro, Andrew Lloyd Webber. The first track (in some places denoted as the Commonwealth Version), features beside the Military Wives, a host of others from around the Commonwealth including the African Children’s Choir, The Jolly Boys from Jamaica, Australian Federal Police Pipes and Drums to name but a few…..oh and HRH Prince Harry on the tambourine! The second version on here is just Gary Barlow singing, but to be fair, once you’ve heard the Commonwealth one, you won’t want to listen to Barlow’s solo effort. There’s just no competition. The third track is once again Barlow with his rendition of the classic Here Comes The Sun, that you might be familiar with from the recent Marks & Spencers adverts.
Next we have New Zealander Hayley Westenra with her wonderful rendition of Amazing Grace before former All Angels member Laura Wright performs her jubilee song, Stronger As One. In some sense, we’re reminded of Westenra’s song World In Union from the rugby world cup last year. Land of Hope and Glory comes up next sang by Alfie Boe along once again with the Military Wives. The song suits his vocals and along side the Military Wives, it works. The final track is the national anthem, God Save The Queen performed by Laura Wright. The music reminds us a little of the Grassland Chant from the musical version of The Lion King. Unfortunately, a great performance is overshadowed by what seems an imbalance between vocals and music going into the second verse.
Looking at the release as a whole, it serves it purpose. As it says on the back, the release is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee. It would be understandable to release a CD with just the two versions of Sing and possibly the video, but the question is would it sell alone? Hard to tell, so maybe that why there are a few more songs that probably be seen as British featured here, to try and sell it. Either way, a nice little collection that serves it purpose. Short and sweet
Rating: 4/5
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It wasn’t long ago that we had the anti-climax that was Climax. But now Usher is back with the second single to be lifted from his forthcoming album Looking 4 Myself.
This is probably the sound that most people are probably more familiar with. Opening with an electronic sound that reminds us of 90s Megadrive games, this soon becomes more a background thing when the drum line kicks in along with the vocals. With some questionable lyrics though, we do wonder if you’ll be hearing this often on many radio stations.
It’s maybe unfair to compare this and Climax (he has after all done a beautiful ballad with Romeo Santos), but this track is likely to get people dancing in the clubs.
Rating: 3/5
You might not be familiar with the name, but if I said that this is a former All Angels member who spread her wings and went solo, would that mean anything? Glorious is actually her second solo album, released this week, and in keeping with what seems an all too familiar theme with a few artists this year, it’s in keeping with the Diamond Jubilee.
Check out the snippets below including another song written for the jubilee, Stronger As One.
