SCREENING AND Q&A HOSTED BY EDITH BOWMAN, ATTENDED BY JACK’S FAMILY & MUSICIANS WHO PERFORMED AT THE TRIBUTE, INCLUDING MD NITIN SAWHNEY, EVENT TAKES PLACE ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN JACK’S 75TH BIRTHDAY.
On the first anniversary of Jack Bruce’s passing, a star-studded line up of world class musicians performed a moving musical tribute to the Scottish legend at The Roundhouse in London.
The tribute concert, musically directed by Nitin Sawhney, featured Jack’s Cream bandmate Ginger Baker, Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera, Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, Joss Stone, Level 42’s Mark King, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, Uli Jon Roth, Hugh Cornwell and many more. This incredible line-up delighted the capacity audience with a stunning selection of Bruce’s songs spanning his entire career, from the pre-Cream days to his final album ‘Silver Rails’.
The tribute concert was recorded for posterity and is presented in HD with surround sound audio. This unique recording will receive its debut screening in the luxurious surroundings of the Curzon Mayfair on 14th May 2018. This is a particularly auspicious date, as it would have marked Jack’s 75th Birthday.
This exclusive screening will be followed by a Q&A hosted by Edith Bowman. This will offer audience members a unique opportunity to quiz many of the original tribute’s contributors, including music director Nitin Sawhney, Phil Manzanera, Ian Anderson, Mark King and members of Bruce’s family, about this wonderful concert.
Nitin Sawhney says: “I felt deeply honoured when Natasha and Margrit asked me to musically direct this wonderful tribute show to Jack Bruce’s fantastic body of work. Directing such a range of musical legends, who all came together to reproduce and perform the highlights of Jack’s work, was an enormously inspirational experience. Everyone was determined to rise to the occasion and bring their own special talents to make this an unforgettable night and a fitting response to one of rock’s greatest songwriters and icons. Thank you to all of Jack’s amazing family for the privilege of bringing such an important evening to life.”
This tribute concert is a fitting and lasting memory of the musical repertoire of which Jack was such a part. And of the man himself; often outspoken, volatile and impassioned, he retained the humble warmth and intelligence which marked him as one of the great musical personalities of our time.
VIP TICKETS
A very limited number of VIP tickets are on sale via:
VIP Ticket includes a Royal Box seat, access to the Private VIP Reception, glass of bubbly, exclusive Jack Bruce merchandise package including tote bag, personalised event T-shirt, limited edition concert programme, and 2 x AAA passes for the after party raffle draw.
There are currently no further plans to release the footage, so this screening is the only occasion at which fans can watch this incredible live concert recording.
All profits from the screening will go to EACH – East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. EACH were also the beneficiaries of the original tribute concert, which raised them over £35,000.
JACK BRUCE ‘SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE’ TRIBUTE SCREENING
It’s been a long time coming, but former Mansun frontman Paul Draper reappeared recently onto the music scene with a new album called ‘Spooky Action’ (wonder where he found that title…..) and a fresh young touring band.
This year, on it’s the 21st anniversary of Mansun’s debut long player, ‘Attack of the Grey Lantern’ and, ahead of K Scope preparing to release it in a remastered and expanded (and 5.1, oh be still my beating heart) deluxe set, Mr Draper set off on a UK tour performing two sets.
The first made up entirely of solo ‘Spooky Action’ material, and the second being ‘Attack…’, performed in its entirety for the first time ever.
Now, I know the gig was back in February, and we are now into April, but in my defence I have moved to a new house and so when I looked on the calendar and arranged a date to complete (and be out of the flat complete with all our wordlies boxed up and ready for the removal van) I had agreed Feb 22nd.
So, a gig I’ve been waiting to see since ‘Attack…’ first hit my stereo back at the fag end of Britpop over 20 years ago (and it’s astonishing how many influential albums that I consider contemporary are getting the 20th and beyond anniversary, ‘OK Computer’, ‘Urban Hymns’, ‘His and Hers’, ‘Be Here Now’, ‘Boys for Pele’, this was, amongst many others, the sound of my adolescence and dear reader it makes me feel old) and yet I needed to have every boxed up and ready to go without any stress.
So I did what any sensible human would do, and go the gig, but drive – best of both worlds and in hindsight the right move, as it took me back 20 years and the stress of the moment was relieved.
If anyone here doesn’t believe in the healing power of music, then my friends you’re missing out.
Now the gig had been moved from the Bierkeller which shut down in conflicting circumstances at the start of February, luckily SWX round the corner is a nicer and more modern version, with an excellent sound system, and from where we were we had an excellent view of the stage, so as an aside, if you see anyone promoted here and wonder if it’s worth going, it’s a Yes from me (& it’s very close to town and about 20 minutes’ walk from Temple Meads – see, who needs trip advisor?)
Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the name of the support act, who was a local lad with a guitar and a penchant for checked shirts and listening to Nick Drake and Bob Dylan, it was pleasant enough and I’m sure his Mum enjoyed it, but it didn’t set the world alight, and his acoustic guitar sound was lost at points in the venue.
Then came the part we were waiting for, Mansun always exuded an aura of mystery and a certain disconnect that set about as far away from the Britpop scene that they were lumped in with, like a square peg in a round hole, and it was great to see Paul Draper, slightly older, bearded and full of chat between songs and with plenty of stage presence.
Even better, he still has the power in his voice, and an incredibly tight and talented young band around him, with Ben Sink on guitar doing a lot of the heavy lifting, allowing Draper to focus on the singing and being the frontman, he has always been.
I know the audience were there for ‘Attack…‘ but the ‘Spooky Action’ material really holds its own with the gig opening as the album does with the superb Don’t Poke the Bear, and songs like Grey House, Jealousy is a Powerful Emotion, Friends Make the Worst Enemies and Who’s Wearing the Trousers all went down a storm.
Then, after a brief interval, the band came back on stage with a nod from Paul thanking his ‘support act’ and then, the rousing strings of the best James Bond theme there never was The Chad Who Loved Me came ringing out, and the auditorium was lost in a magical musical time warp, as the classics like Wide Open Space, Stripper Vicar, the legendary Taxloss,Dark Mavis and the rest all came out in a blaze of glory.
Don’t get me wrong, this is no nostalgia act, as the first half proved, and as a band who were always slightly out of time, Mansun’s tunes have proved timeless, as this album still sounds fresh, exciting and contemporary even 21 years later.
I went into this show not knowing whether it would be worth my money (&yes dear reader – this is one of those rare occurrences where I review something I paid for!) and it was worth every penny.
During the gig Paul Draper said he would back soon, performing ‘Six’ in it’s entirety – take all of my money, now!!!
Welcome to the fourth edition of The Wallet Emptier’s Round-Up and this time we have music from The C:Live Collective, Project Patchwork, Syzygy, Phi, Marygold and Pinski for you to check out…
The C:Live Collective – The Age of Insanity
Twelfth Night alumni Clive Mitten’s first foray into recording new music for 30 years has produced ‘The Age of Insanity’, the first of a series of linked releases from the band in 2018. At its heart is Clive’s new hour long four-part opus, The Fifth Estate, which will reappear in the autumn in its full vocal version. Here it comprises a fully revised vocal version of We Are Sane (Part One)and specially arranged instrumental mixes of Parts Two to Four. The CD is completed by a new version of This City set in London.
A powerful vilification of the internet and social media (The Fifth Estate), Clive has collected some impressive musicians around him and that can be seen in the well crafted tracks on the album. Mark Spencer’s expressive vocals add to the atmospheric appeal of the first song, there’s definitely a feeling of Big Brother is watching you running through this track, almost a feeling of dystopia.
The instrumentals are finely constructed, haunting pieces of music where the musician’s requisite skills are used to very good effect, all the while Clive orchestrating every move. I was very impressed at how the whole album seemed to flow perfectly with each track seguing smoothly into the next. The final song This City Is London closes things out with an almost patriotic feel, its drum and bass origins actually working well with the rest of the album.
All in all, it all bodes well for what is to come next.
Rating – 77/100
Released 1st March 2018
Favourite Track – The very impressive The Fifth Estate Part One.
Project: Patchwork,The studio project of German musicians Gerd Albers and Peter Koll, release their second album ‘ReFlection’ three years after the debut. Dealing with personal experiences and addressing critical questions of currents events in society and politics, it is powerful statement of intent.
A total of 10 singers and 20 musicians share duties on this impressive release but at no time does it feel disjointed or over-ambitious. With artists of the calibre of Marek Arnold, John Mitchell, Markus Steffen and Martin Schnella it was always going to have a good pedigree.
Powerful guitars and yet a strong emphasis on melodies mean this release is chock full of hook lines and impressive, emotive music with new surprises at every turn. This is a fine release that immerses you on an extraordinary musical journey.
Rating – 80/100
Released 16th March 2018
Favourite Track – The inventive brilliance of Yearning For Confraternity.
In astronomy, a syzygy is a (usually) straight-line configuration of three or more celestial bodies in a gravitational system.
In music SYZYGY is a progressive rock trio from Gainesville, Florida, consisting of guitarist/vocalist Tom Nelly, bassist KD McClellan, and drummer Dan Landis. ‘Misconnected Man’ is their debut release and is full of complex and yet memorable compositions that are madder than a badger poked with a stick but in a very, very good way!
Listening to the album is akin to a musical rollercoaster ride of massive proportions, there literally is no let-up to the rapid fire musical delivery, it isn’t for the faint hearted but, dig in and persevere for what you do get is well worth the effort.
They call it progressive rock but it’s more acid jazz infused art rock with some King Crimson thrown in for good measure, just because they could! Get your wallets ready and lay out for one of the most original and inventive releases you’ll hear in quite a while.
Rating – 77/100
Released 31st October 2018
Favourite Track – The unabridged lunacy of Misconnected Man.
‘Cycles’ is Austrian Prog-Metal outfit PHI’s latest release and sees the band finally attain what they call The Golden Ratio, the perfect proportion between rock power and artistic aspiration and it was an accident, cutting his finger in his role as an amateur chef, that led him in the new direction that finally produced this golden ratio.
A songwriting process straight from head to paper, no filters as main man Markus Bratusa couldn’t play his guitar, has delivered six involving and powerful compositions with maturity and gravitas. Songs that are emotionally bold and honest and yet mightily potent, the guitar sound is as heavy a one as you will hear this side of early Sabbath, the new album has everything.
‘Cycles’ displays a grandiose vision and one that this impressive band carry off with style and aplomb and all on an epic bombastic and flamboyant scale.
Rating – 79/100
Released 23rd March 2018.
Favourite Track – The utter bombast of Blackened Rivers.
Immaculately constructed classic progressive rock, ‘One Light Year’ is Italian band Marygold at their absolute best. Formed in Verona in 1994, this collection of virtuoso performers had not released anything since 2005 but had opened the well respected Verona Progfest in 2007.
A collection of songs to bewitch and beguile lovers of classic and more modern progressive styles, it has that eccentricity that Italian prog music is known for and is an exciting and immersive listen. Excellent melodies and intricate song structures combine across all seven of the inventive tracks.
Let the intricate guitar plying, the expansive rhythm section and the eloquent vocals take you on an enjoyable musical journey, one with a definite Italian flavour and one that is all the better for it.
Cologne based outfit Pinski’s debut album is an intriguing proposition. On the face of it, it appears to be a straightforward hard rock album with some pretty impressive riffing and the power of Insa Reichwein’s (aka. Pinski) soulful vocals but, dig deeper and you will find a record full of complex compositions with intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. Take the reproachful anger of Society and follow it up with the hopeful tone of Light Calling and you will begin to see Insa’s view of the world.
However there’s no getting away from the thunderous guitar work of Ian Alexander Griffiths who adds a real metal/hard rock edge to the songs. The rhythm section of Christopher Streidt (bass) and Stephan Schöpe (drums) lays a really vibrant foundation for Insa’s dynamic voice and distorted acoustic riffs, she really gives her all through every song.
A real discovery for me, ‘Sound The Alarm’ is a collection of tracks that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Rating – 81/100
Released 29th April 2018.
Favourite Track – The sonic boom of title track Sound The Alarm.
Order the CD direct from the band at the link below:
