Acapela Studios is proving a good venue for China Crisis. Their regular visits guarantees a sell out, whilst those lucky few quick enough to secure tickets, do so certain in the knowledge that, in Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon, their evening is certain to be a joyful and musically rewarding experience.
Whilst they have a back catalogue to be die for, the band are far removed from the current retro 80’s gang plodding through a few hits to the delight of nostalgic dewy-eyed punters. The band sound fresh and in Daly, a front man who can charm the birds from the trees and quite the comedian, with his tales and reminiscing.
Certainly they play their hits (10 top 50 singles) but also much loved and seldom heard album tracks of which the choice is endless.
Aided and abetted by regular bandmates, keyboard player (Jack Hymers) and saxophonist (Eric Animan) they beautifully create powerful soundscapes that complement both Lundon’s fine guitar work and Daly’s subtle vocals.
Early songs about girlfriends, family and friends, their first dabble with songwriting was discussed as they explained the rapid change in their circumstances. One minute Kirby, the next criss-crossing America and the recording of “Arizona Sky” and the broadening of their horizons, both musically and culturally.
With so much chatter and sublime music the evening flew and with the night closing ever so near the curfew, Daly was shocked and keen to push on and squeeze in a few more numbers, one being the wonderful “Christian” to top off a quite stunning evening.
Tony Woolway