Now before I start on gig review I must point out this is based on ‘Aladdinsane’ one set supporting T.Rextasy. I have to be fair because after show Paul Henderson explained to me on a full set the second set he takes on a later form of David Bowie’s career.
Where is the best place to start in a review? Well it’s the beginning of course and everyone at the theatre in Worthing had never seen ‘Aladdinsane’ before so there was a mix of Bolan/Bowie fans not knowing what to expect. In the bar before it started even thou ‘Aladdinsane’ are the leading tribute band to David Bowie people talked of only reading about him remembering him from ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ or only viewing a few videos on some website but was unsure what he’ll (they as a band) be like. Well I’m telling you all their concerns were wiped out within opening seconds of the show.
Everyone settled lights out, curtains open and this misty blue figure of Paul Henderson with back to everyone in full Ziggy Stardust mode before he sang a note there was this big roar from everyone and WHAM!!! In came this amazing sound now I have been to many shows at that theatre so I know of it’s often tinny feedback from it’s sound system but ‘Aladdinsane sounded so amazingly clear, crisp, highly tuned could say almost studio in sound as they work so hard together and are so tight as a band the sound they have is as far as perfection can go, they really rocked. When I told Paul of this he thanked me said it’s due to a lot of hard work but also said much credit must also go to a fantastic sound guy simply known as ‘John’.
Over the years I seen a lot of acts and many don’t even try to sound like their original tracks and you come away disappointed but ‘Aladdinsane’ go that bit further to get it spot on to the Bowie hits we all love and know so well even to the stage of Carl Stones using his guitar up against Marshall amp to perfect a feedback effect for end of ‘John I’m Only Dancing’ which was awesome.
Paul took the stage and looked liked he owned it for years and these Bowie struts and certain sudden looks just mesmerized you. His voice was amazing too so powerful you could hear clearly those Bowie tone’s coming from within. One woman after show said “you know before I came in being a big Bowie fan I did not expect much, I’m telling you this, I didn’t expect that this soooo cool”.
If I had to name just one track that stood out even thou I loved every second of all of them it have to be ‘Life On Mars’ not only for the way it sounded and was performed but effects too and loved Paul’s ending pose with the Alien eyes so cool.
When I watch a band I take everything in and I saw how Paul had full command of the band one glance, one turn or look and everyone knew what he wanted. Many cover bands the singers just sing and that is that but Paul doesn’t as his acoustic guitar playing is outstanding. I remember him say “this is where it all started” and he started to play ‘Space Oddity’ and this dry ice appears lights changed and it sort of stunned everyone you could hear a pin drop.
Aladdinsane is not just Paul thou it is a very highly skilled band that all play together like a finally tuned machine. You have Dan Elliman on keyboards and backing vocals and what I heard from feedback next day from someone was near end of ‘Changes’ you hear this amazing sax just exactly replicated like original from Bowie all done on keyboards this guy was just completely thrown by this. I had to agree as it did sound amazing even thou I add he was amazing on all the tracks adding those sounds we know Bowie put within his masterpieces. Franco Caprio on bass and backing vocals just looked so happy and enjoying himself not anything against other bass players but you can tell he was loving what he was doing. His bass playing much like Dan’s keyboards was faultless. Now as for Mark Hatton on drums he really lets rip and the theatre is normally known for letting the drummer down due to it’s shape (ceiling) and sound system but that night Mark’s drumming was on fire ‘John I’m Only Dancing’ I noticed people near me following Mark’s every beat. As for Carl Stones who plays lead guitar and backing vocals one word three letters ‘WOW’ you can’t really say much more. Yes I have to admit I love Les Paul guitars so call me bias if you like my thoughts however were confirmed by others one saying to me “it was like a master class in guitar playing”.
We did get an encore where Paul returned after a very quick costume change to perform ‘Heroes’ to the crowds delights.
After set (before T.Rextasy performed) people were talking of ‘All The Young Dudes’ and how everyone in the theatre became part of the song. One guy said to me on way to bar “that made my hairs stand on end” I thought “strange comment to make to a stranger” but saying that the guitar intro does do that too you. A guy who sat two seats from me looking like a London banker all sitting their very serious till this track started and he went crazy and didn’t sit down rest of evening.
I could sit here typing track after track of what they covered that night but all I have to say is they played the cream of Bowie’s early years and if any of you reading this doubt going DON’T as I know you won’t be coming away disappointed in fact you’ll be coming away like me only wanting more.
Check out Aladdinsane at –
http://www.myspace.com/aladdinsanebowie
http://www.aladdinsane.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/user/aladdinsane99
and also find Paul Henderson on Facebook
