In Concert: Sixties Gold, 2014, St David's Hall, Cardiff

As I was born in 1968 the music of the 1960s has always been close to me and for that matter has had a particular part to play in forming my own life's soundtrack. As new styles come,become stale or boring, the endless genres of sixties, pop, rhythm and blues, rock and even ballads still endure.

It's never a surprise to me therefore when attending sixties package shows that there is always a strong demand to hear classic cuts performed live and if you're lucky, maybe even get to see an original singer or musician from the era perform them. Despite Gerry Marsden and Brian Poole not appearing due to serious illness, Wednesday evening's Sixties Gold show still had music legends aplenty.

Original sixties chart stars Spencer Davis (pictured), PJ Proby, Tremeloes star Chip Hawkes and Searchers John McNally and Frank Allen were all there performing alongside slick (and in many cases) time served newer members of The Searchers, The Fortunes and The Pacemakers.

Among the many highlights, was The Fortunes keyboardist Bob Jackson recalling his time with Welsh band Badfinger and paying tribute to songwriter Pete Ham with a version of Without You, Spencer Davis giving an electrifying rendition of his 1967 hit I'm a Man and PJ Proby proving he still had a fine voice with a powerful rendition of Somewhere.

There were also pop classics from Chip Hawkes, looking and sounding great performing Silence is Golden, The Pacemakers with a selection of Gerry’s hits and The Searchers topping the bill with a memorable set including Needles and Pins and Everytime You Walk in the Room.

Sixties Gold? Definitely!

• A version of this review by Andy Howells is available to look at on The South Wales Argus website
• Read Andy Howells' review for Sixties Gold 2013 show

In Concert: Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders at The New Theatre, Cardiff

“This only happens here” announced Andy Fairweather Low as he played his homecoming concert at Cardiff’s New Theatre on Thursday evening, “I feel like I know you all, I probably do, there’s nothing more frightening, there’s nothing more appealing.”

It’s true, Andy’s audience, a packed house, were as keen to receive him as he was keen to play to them. Andy was clear from the offset he intended to give his audience a night to remember.

The first half saw The Low Riders “I am their singer, they are not my band” stated Andy, place the spotlight on not only Andy, but Paul Beavis (drums), Dave Bronze (Guitar / Double Bass) and Nick Pentelow (clarinet / saxophone) through a variety of styles including the upbeat rock of Dance On, the reggae of Natural Sinner and the pure jazz of Petit Fleur.

When the second half curtain came up, there was a surprise addition of a full brass section and keyboards from three further performers Andy referred to as The High Riders. This enabled the group to reap the full benefit for the original Amen Corner brass sound on 60s classics such as Bend Me, Shape Me, Hello Susie, High In The Sky and a superb blues version of Gin House Blues. The audience reaction was electric and intensified by the intimate setting of The New Theatre, everyone clearly having the time of their lives.

Don’t believe me? Well fear not, the whole event was recorded for posterity for a future DVD release. So if you weren’t there, there’s still a chance to catch the ultimate Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders experience… watch this space!

• A version of this review by Andy Howells is available to see on The South Wales Argus website

CD Review: Cole Porter In Hollywood - The John Wilson Orchestra

Conductor, arranger and musical scholar John Wilson has brought together 15 Cole Porter classics for Cole Porter In Hollywood including Begin The Beguine ( from Broadway Melody of 1940), Love Of My Life (from The Pirate), and the albums grand opener Stereophonic Sound (from Silk Stockings).

In many cases, these recordings have been painstakingly recreated from the original film scores by Andrew Cottee and John Wilson and add to the records authenticity.

Fans of golden Hollywood musicals will love this gem of a collection which features Anna-Jane Casey, Kim Criswell, Matthew Ford, Sarah Fox and Richard Morrison providing vocal leads to these newly recorded orchestral arrangements.

• A version of this Compact Disc review by Andy Howells previously appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement, The Guide on October 24, 2014.
• For more information on The John Wilson Orchestra visit their official website.
• Recreating Cole Porter's Hollywood Classics - John Wilson Interview

Recreating Cole Porter's Hollywood Classics - John Wilson Interview

The uniquely glamorous sound and the daredevil skill of the John Wilson Orchestra playing Hollywood and Broadway’s most scintillating scores has made them one of the UK’s most beloved group of musicians. Their annual sell-out Prom concerts and national tours – and their first three releases for Warner Classics – have enchanted listeners and won them fans around the world.

Their new album Cole Porter in Hollywood basks in the big-screen glow of the hits Porter wrote for the movies and is a continuation of John Wilson's work of restoring lost film soundtracks to their original glory for music fans.

"We try to get the style absolutely just so," John recently told Andy Howells, "That's what you have to do, whether it be a Beethoven symphony or Cole Porter number, you have to get the style right. So we made a conscious effort to get as close as you can to that periods style."

The 15 songs on the album feature world premieres of newly-reconstructed orchestrations from original movie soundtracks, nearly all of which had been lost. The album is a glorious return to the resplendent sound that cushioned and encouraged Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby in films such as Can-Can, The Pirate and High Society. The energy, dynamism and detail of the playing is captured in the ideal acoustic of London’s famed Abbey Road studios. "A lot of this material was destroyed in the 1960s," says John, "when people didn't realise the value of it. I guess it had been used for the movies and they thought,"well we've made the movie nobody's going to want these bits of yellow paper.""

With the enormity of taking on such a task, does John face a dilemma when selecting material for the albums? "There things I'd have loved to have been on the album, but we didn't have space for them, because of the constraints of recording time and the amount of available time on a CD its like choosing your favourite children, its difficult. I wanted to represent all of Cole Porter's different styles and give all the singers a good chance. To put all those factors together at the end of the day, I suppose it all comes down to personal choice but a lot of thought goes into it."

The John Wilson Orchestra will be touring Cole Porter in Hollywood in November with a nationwide 13 date UK tour which brings them to both Bristol and Cardiff. A hand-picked ensemble of leading instrumentalists from Europe’s finest orchestras, these virtuoso players will be joined by guest singers Anna-Jane Casey, Kim Criswell, Matthew Ford, Sarah Fox and Richard Morrison, their trademark mix of sparkling authenticity and knock-‘em-dead gusto has been described as “Technicolor for the ears.”

"The stuff we didn't have time to put down on the album we'll perform live on the tour," says John, "big hits like Night and Day, I've Got You Under My Skin and more numbers from High Society."

John is keen to point out that the live experience will be very different to that captured on the album. "You get something completely different, more raw excitement. Not that we play it safe in the studio. When we are on the road, we really get stuck in, everyone gives their best night after night."

Are there any particular performances John is looking forward to presenting? "Obviously the ones when they are instrumental, when there aren't many singers in there, " he responds, "That's our moment to go to town. A lot of the numbers with the singers have got extended dance routines. Obviously we don't have any dancing because its a concert but they were written for the likes of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly so you get these moments where the orchestra can let themselves go."

• The Cole Porter in Hollywood National Tour visits Cardiff's St David's Hall on November 14.
• For further details on The John Wilson Orchestra visit the official website
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 24, 2014.

Andy Fairweather Low Talks About Homecoming Show

Andy Fairweather Low may have played alongside such greats as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison and Buddy Guy in his fifty year career but as the Ystrad Mynach born singer-songwriter prepares to play a homecoming date in Cardiff later today he reveals there’s no place like home.  “It’s where I live,” says Andy, “I went to London in 1966 and came back in 1971 and I've been there ever since.”

One of the most respected guitarists in the business, Andy had group hits as the front man of Amen Corner and solo hits. Among his back catalogue are If Paradise Is Half as Nice, Wide Eyed and Legless, Bend Me Shape Me, Hello Susie, Reggae Tune, Natural Sinner and Gin House Blues.

I ask Andy if he recalls any other special homecoming gigs over his 50 year career. “Last year in the New Theatre was a bit of a risk because its the biggest crowd that I've ever played to under my own name,” he says.“It was the most fabulous night, outside of that, I would say when I played Cardiff in a place called the Kennard Rooms. That was one of my first gigs ever and a band called Joey and The Gentlemen were on.  I was in a small band opening up and there was practically no-one in when we did our set but that didn’t matter it was still a momentous moment for me.”

Andy shot to fame as the front man of Amen Corner, the band scored several top ten hits in the late 1960s, “The funny thing was when I left school, the first thing I recorded became a hit,” he says, “until the moment I found things could be different I thought that’s just what you did. I thought I'd achieved the Midas touch! We soon found out later how lucky we were and that we'd been around at that time”

“I remember coming back to Cardiff with Amen Corner playing The Top Rank and The Drifters were on as well, it was a fantastic night,” recalls Andy, “I remember getting in my car and going to the top of Caerphilly Mountain. My wife was with me, although she wasn’t my wife then but I just had to get up there and try and calm down from doing a home gig of that kind of magnitude.”

Attendees of Andy’s concerts find that he still performs Amen Corner hits as well as his solo material, “Its not like I disown my own luggage or anything,” says Andy, “We play a large chunk of The Amen Corner back catalogue in the set and I'm very glad to have it.”

Andy will be performing alongside his band The Low Riders, “They are a Fantastic band, I started playing in 1964 and went to London in 1966. In that time I’ve loved soul music, jazz, the blues, rock n roll, rockabilly and that’s what you’re going to hear. We're making a DVD of the concert and maybe sticking in a bit of history of me in the music business, I'm looking forward to it.”

• Andy Fairweather Low plays Cardiff’s New Theatre tonight (October 30), call 0292 087 8889 for booking details.
• For further information on Andy Fairweather Low visit his official website
• A version of Andy Howells' interview with Andy Fairweather Low was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on October 24, 2014
• The Low Rider From Amen Corner - Andy Fairweather Low Interview from 2012

On Stage: A Regular Little Houdini, Newport Riverfront

The Riverfront's tenth anniversary as a home to a variety of arts in Newport coincided with a week run of Daniel Llewellyn Williams one-man stage show A Regular Little Houdini, and really, what a cracker of a show to celebrate with.

Over the week, school parties and theatre goers alike have been enthralled as Williams takes on the role of Alan, a resident of Alexandra Road, Pill, little over a century ago.

The story follows Alan's journey from boy to man and his obsession with the escapologist Harry Houdini, set against the historical backdrop of Houdini's visits to Newport in the early 1900s, the opening of the transporter bridge and later on, the docks disaster.

All events and scenarios, meticulously researched by Williams are brought to life through the eyes of Alan, his 'Gammy' (the chief constable of Newport Police) and Harry Houdini himself. Williams takes on each role via a funny, magical, powerfully emotive performance.

What is revealed is an insight into Newport life in the early 20th Century and what it might have been like substituting 21st century distractions for hope, adventure and creativity. (Alan's study of picking the lock on Victorian handcuff's could almost be likened to the persistence of a young computer programmer).

Direction from Josh Richards (himself a master of the one-man performance in Burton) and music from Megan Cox add both subtlety and poignancy to the unfolding story. The resulting play is something to behold and a triumph not only for Williams but Newport itself. Long forgotten people, places and events are extracted from the history books and aging copies of the South Wales Argus to reclaim their rightful place in Welsh history through this magical history tour.

• Find out more about A Regular Little Houdini at the official website.
• A version of this review was published in The South Wales Argus on October 27, 2014

Mari Discusses Her Debut Album Gentle Beauty

Back in 2012, Andy Howells interviewed Italian singer/songwriter Mari following the release of her album Gentle Beauty which was produced by former Zero 7 singer Mozez.

Do you come from a musical background? 

I've always been immersed in music since I was very young. I started to study piano but most of all vocals in a music school of Rome. After a few years I continued to study with an opera teacher, fully discovering the potential of my voice. 

How did you get into the music business?  

I started to sing for fun in a soul band and in that time I met some important artists who introduced me to the music business. In about 20 years I did a lot of concerts with different bands and musicians, so working with them and meeting people has been very important for me. This gave me the chance to have more exposure and opportunities. 

How did you come to work with Mozez?  

I have always been a huge fan of his and Zero 7, since their very first album Simple Things. I met Mozez during one of his gigs in Italy. On that occasion we started to talk and later I sent him some of my demos. Being a songwriter has been easier for me to have a chance in getting an album co -written with him, as he his also my producer. 

What are your musical inspirations?  

I listen to all types of music, but artists such as Zero 7, Goldfrapp, Air, Thievery Corporations and all the Bristol bands like Massive Attack and Portishead are my favourite ones, and Mozez of course! 

How did the album Gentle Beauty come about?  

Gentle Beauty is my manifesto. I couldn't live my life without searching for the beauty in all the things that surround me and everyone as well as kindness and respect between people. Even if sometimes it is hard to see those things among all life's difficulties. This album speaks profoundly about my vision of life which I tried to deliver with my music.  I felt the need to covert my emotions and my feeling in my songs. Meeting Mozez has been decisive for me because he understood exactly how to transform my emotions in music.

The songs Gentle Beauty and Secret have a summery 1960s feel to them. What inspired you to write them?

As I said to you, my songs get their inspirations from my emotions. Those two songs were born like all my songs. A melody and the timing come first into my mind slowly until I feel the need to write it down. I like 60's in general but it has not been planned to recall that type of sound. By the way I don't mind at all, of course! 

I enjoy the video for Gentle Beauty featuring the circus characters, was it good fun to make?  

Yes, I enjoyed myself a lot. The only problem was the weather during the night shooting. It was terribly cold and all of us we were freezing! 

Some of the tracks have lots of wonderful instrumentation supplemented with your wonderful vocals – how long did free for instance take to put together? 

Well, Free and the rest of the songs in general took a lot of time to put together. It has been a hard and long job, about 2 years. 

What is your favourite track from Gentle Beauty the album?  

I love all my songs of course, it is hard to choose. I would say Silence. 

It sounds like it’s quite a personal album too – did it take long to write?  

Yes, it is a very personal album. I wrote the songs long time ago. They where initially demos when I brought them to Mozez, but with all the melodies and part of the lyrics done, except for two songs. 

Blue is my Favourite Colour with Mozez is a strong collaboration, was that great fun to make?  

Blue is my Favourite Colour has been written by me, Mozez and Vincenzo Incenzo who is a well known Italian author and friend of mine. I would say it has been interesting seeing Mozez during the construction of the song.  I love so much how he described the story of the character of this song, who could be any person.  

The album finishes with an instrumental Silence II and almost has echoes of a film soundtrack theme – it’s a wonderful piece of music – how did that come about?  

Silence II is the instrumental version of Silence contained in the album. For this song I have asked the collaboration of my friend and wonderful musician Alessandro Tomei who played the flute; in the instrumental version is more evident its sound which has given a dreamy touch to the whole composition. 

What are you working on now and what plans have you got for the future?  

I'm working to get remixes of some of my songs. One song, Free, has already been remixed by the DJ and producer Ray Mang.  At the moment, I am starting to write down some ideas for my next album. I’m also rehearsing with my wonderful band to be ready soon and spread my music all around.      

• A version of this Q&A with Mari was published in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide in October 2012.
• For more information on Mari and her music, visit her official website.