Review - Tom Robinson - Acapela Studio - 16/11/2023

One of the punk/new wave’s heroes made a return to the wonderful Acapela Studios and another sellout evening on a chilly Thursday evening.

Robinson is a real unsung icon of his generation and a devoted and very vocal opponent of everything wrong in this spiralling world. A pioneer for gay rights and a critic of the abuses of power, Robinson’s songs have been inspirational to many.

Whether it be with a full band in tow or like this evening, close and personal with just his guitar and keyboard to accompany himself, he never fails to entertain or inform in what can be extremely passionate performances of some of his era defining songs.

All Images Copyright KCL

It’s not that he’s rested on his laurels and still writes poignant songs that hit the nerve, sometimes uncomfortably so, but also with humour and occasional sadness. His last song of the evening, a newer song and a personal favourite of his, written for his children and about living in the moment called “Only The Now” demonstrates that at 73, he still has the musical chops and and still touch the heart of his listeners.

Just as his Radio Six presenting career will testify, Robinson is a good raconteur and during the performance tells candidly about his career, the ups and some depressingly downs, woven effortlessly through his songs.

Songs like “Too Good To Be True” a favourite of his band’s talented and sadly now passed away guitarist Danny Kurstow proved a lovely tribute whilst his ‘comeback’ song, the hit “War Baby” written after fleeing to Hamburg, Germany after the breakup of his band and heavily in dept allowed Robinson to return from what was undoubtedly a very tough period in his life.

Sadly it was over too quickly and Robinson left the stage to rapturous applause acknowledging the crowd and his love for the venue. Always a supporter and promoter of new music Robinson’s support for the evening was local Splott singer/songwrier Adjua who delighted the audience, and Tom Robinson, to some soulful and well-crafted songs and certainly one to watch for in the future. Well done Tom !

Tony Woolway

Review - Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri - The Long Road Home Tour - Acapela Studio - 13/11/2021

It’s been a year in waiting for the return of Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri, and certainly, after their performance on a chilly Saturday evening, it was well worth the wait.

The Acapela Studio is fast becoming a beacon for live music in the area and a venue where you can get up close and personal to the artist in a quite chilled environment and something that no doubt attracts both performers and fans who find large concert halls both antiseptic and cold.

Yet the 13th proved rather prophetic for the duo as the gremlins struck during their opening number with a power issue, but they battled on gamely despite the false start with Kiki Dee casually annoucing that a glass of red wine would help calm the jitters, whereupon, a glass appeared at the front of the stage, courtesy of the management, and a very grateful singer.

If getting through the first number “What You Wish For” appeared a little traumatic, the rest of the evening was simply plain sailing with a lovely acoustic version of her biggest hit (with Elton John, his first No 1) “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “Small Mercies” a song about appreciating life, and a quite stunning version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”.

There were a few exceptional covers during the two-set performance. Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End Of Love” a heart tugging “Let It Be Me” by The Everly Brothers and best of all Sinatra’s “Very Good Year”, in a suprising, yet classy selection.

Dee’s voice, as strong as it ever, was supremely complimented by Luggeri’s virtuoso guitar, creating soundscapes that provided the perfect foil for Dee, who pitched in with some occasional keyboards .

It’s been a long and rewarding career for Kiki Dee, something which was emphasised by her hit “Amoureuse”, released in 1973 and performed so perfectly in 2021, as she turned back the clock in quite stunning fashion, a very youthful looking 74 years of age.

For those Strictly fans in the audience it was interesting to hear that she had turned down this year’s series, saying she was to be the ‘token’ oldie in the competition, but, declined her inclusion due to a family illness. On this evening’s performance, It was obvious she was quite capable of putting a few of the younger ones in the shade, had she been able to perform.

But, back to the music, and the highlight of the evening. “Until We Meet Again”, a touching song about her mother and how the death of her father affected her and having to re-invent herself and embrace her life without her husband and life partner.

Ending proceedings with another hit “I’ve Got The Music In Me” a big UK and American hit, it was a triumph after such a frustrating start for the duo. They say good things come to those who wait, so hopefully, for Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri, an early, post-pandemic Acapela return will be on the cards.

Review and Pix - Tony Woolway

China Crisis - Acapela 05/11/2021

All Images Copyright KCL©

It’s been very nearly 40 years, yet for China Crisis, what’s a few years amongst good friends.

80’s bands and their music can be a little cheesy to the discerning listener and whilst many rave about that particular era, which without doubt saw some amazing talents, quite a few bands never seem to get the credit their music deserved and who still very much inspire. One such band is China Crisis.

Despite achieving some considerable hits and critically acclaimed albums, when compiling lists of the great and the good during those times, China Crisis rarely get acknowleged and it’s a frustration that, no doubt the band, as well as their die hard fans would love to correct.

But what China Crisis do, as opposed to their contemporaries is continue to produce the goods both writing and performing at times new material, as well as performing songs from a quite stunning back catalogue.

If I’m sounding very much like a fan, then I admit to being hooked from their earliest begins with the release of their debut album, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain, which was released in December 1982 and the singles "African and White" and "Christian". All seeming so fresh and different at the time.

Fast forward 40 years and I’m still getting that buzz with each performance, and trust me, I’ve seen quite a few!

The China Crisis of today is certainly a different animal, and whether seeing them as a duo, quartet, or full-blown band, they never fail to produce an evening of sublime music and hysterical chatter, something to a newcomer, is totally unexpected.

Fronted by the genial Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly, it’s Daly in particular who lifts proceedings to another level with his good natured and whimsical account of the band’s career and recordings as well as hilarious name-dropping the good and not-so-good people they’ve met during their considerable career.

But, it’s the music we initially came for and the four-piece band were in quite excellent form as they played a selection of singles and album tracks in between Daly’s side-splitting anecdotes.

Songs from the band’s Walter Becker (Steely Dan) produced album Flaunt the Imperfection and the Langer/Winstanley What Price Paradise sounded as fresh as the day they were released with “Arizona Sky” in particular, with it’s catchy refrain still reverberating days/weeks later.

It would be unfair to not mention the contribution made by Jack Hymers (keyboards) and Eric Animan (sax) who completed the band and are indispensable to the China Crisis ‘sound’

Unfortunately/fortunately, with all the chat, the band lost sense of time leaving them rushing to beat the Acapela curfew yet still managed to squeeze in the wonderful “Christian”- before sheepishly ending yet another quite fabulous evening.

For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure then the band are out on tour next year celebrating their 40th Anniversary and with luck, coming to a town near you.

Tony Woolway

Images Copyright KCL©