The Peppermint Apes EP review

I first found The Peppermint Apes on You Tube over a year or so ago and then was introduced more by tuning in to various radio shows and talking to Anne Cannon and Colin Stanton.

Before I had my own radio show back in February 2011 I was a guest on a radio station myself where I took in brand new tracks no one had heard to air as all exclusives for listeners. One of the bands that took part in this was The Peppermint Apes with an unreleased track called ‘Gotta Change’.

Why do I bring this up? Well the sound in that demo shocked everyone who tuned in that day as it was said by Colin Stanton (Manager) back then as a possible new direction. The feedback back then by all was WOW.

Well the year has flown by and now I am playing the new EP simply entitled THE PEPPERMINT APES with the new line up and yes this new direction.

Now with

Ryan Stanton - lead vocals, guitar and songwriter
James Fox – drums, B/V
Lewis Brown – bass, vocals
Luke Swift – keyboards B/V
Sean Markus – lead guitar, vocals

The band is as strong as it’s ever been

The tracks

‘All She Needs’ has a heavy drums/bass line which really pushes them more towards rock than pop. Keyboards sound between 80s U.S. rock to a touch of classic piano which really melds well into the drum/bass line.
It features a short bass solo which is awesome and I could easy imagine live that being extended to the crowds delight
Guitars on this are not so out front as to be expected but you can certainly hear them make the song complete and give that extra edge.
The vocals are as always with the band totally outstanding as Ryan when he sings makes every word feel believable and real as he sings with a passion and almost a sad heart ‘All She Needs Is You’.

‘Ain’t Going Down’ the opening guitar and drum rifts reminds me of classic Deep Purple especially with the added amazing keyboards taking me back to Don Airey sound.
The drums stand out so much in this track almost like thundering in beat throughout.
I find this track has everything as it rocks but also has again a touch of some beautiful classic piano, the sound too of guitar solos and amazing backing vocal harmonies that complement Ryan’s lead vocals to perfection.

‘Secrets Out’ love the guitar slap style throughout this, the sound by the boys is so compact and tight within this it is pure joy over playing this to my CD player screams NO MORE (*should of brought Duracell he laughs)

‘I have nothing to hide the secrets out’ a line goes and so true no secret here this track is outstanding, the band is outstanding say no more.
Pure rock/pop at it’s best.

‘Nothing At All’ (Remix) well how can you top perfection? This is often asked in music, I know have heard it asked many times over the years with various artists.

I was very much in a doubting frame of mind when I heard this track had been given a new sound and I do say NEW SOUND.

The original comes from the album ‘Against The Wall’ and this being one of my favourites tracks from the album I very much thought “oh no what have they done?”
See I loved the past acoustic radio version I once heard on a live jam and the album version so did not know what to expect here.

My fears were blown away once I played the track the drum beat is not so heavy, more further back in the mix as the original and the lead guitar is out front more with a sharper cleaner edge which to me gives it the stamped The Peppermint Apes sound we all love.

It also has a keyboards backing reminding me of classic Billy Joel. It has some very different backing harmonies that so bring this track to life.
Ryan’s vocals have some added effects midway which I say in a positive way as it gives the track a more NOW sound.

THE PEPPERMINT APES EP yes the secret is out

http://thepeppermintapes.co.uk

REVIEW - Secret Place by Baby Scream

Secret Place Review


I often wonder with all those millions of songs written & composed out there how many are there not finished, left only half written, half composed, in demo format. Tracks left within the composers mind never to be heard or left stored in some old computer hardrive never fully produced.

It is a scary thought to a music lover how many classics will never see the light of day.

Why am I saying all this? Well ‘Secret Place’ came about by chance for Baby Scream by them winning a competition held by City Government of Buenos Airs Argentina.
Winning 80 hours of studio time gave the band the opportunity to record tracks that in the past were left out of album projects or left mainly untouched for years or in one case staying within Juan’s mind in danger of being forgotten as much forever moves forward on to new projects.

It is this reason this album is so different to past releases, when I first heard of it I thought how can they better a real strong album like their last release simply entitled ‘Baby Scream’ which I have played so many times and love so?

Well I need not have worried as this album is just as strong but for different reasons.
I found it either hits you hard from the start and you’re addicted or you find it keeps growing on you due to the multi layers, directions and flavors of music and stories held within it.

On to the tracks

First to start the album off is ‘The Last Call’ which reminds me of Marc Bolan not in vocals style but the use of chord structure. Marc was said by many including David Bowie as often playing chords that should not work but always flowing beautifully becoming classics. On this track there are a few such chords that just should not work but sound totally awesome.
The lyrics that stand out for me and I noticed others too is ‘I wouldn’t care about tomorrow, tomorrow never cared for me, you see. This is your only chance to be’ Those few lines alone are so strong as so many of us plan for the future looking ahead and not living for the day, the now. The whole song is like this giving more examples similar to that line above that can make you think. The music has a touch of 80s keyboards with Beatles style guitar but so kicks off the album.

The second track is the track released off the album as a single and Juan happily admits is one of his favorites and it is ‘Hit And Run’ it does not take you long within this to hear that love for John Lennon within the track and delivery and vocals. Juan admits he often tries to emulate Lennon’s writing but still staying as original to himself and Baby Scream as possible. This track is one of those tracks that may never have been heard as the tune and main structure had been only floating around within Juan’s mind for two years never coming out to be recorded. So I am so pleased for this competition win to see this amazing track come to be FINALLY.
The sound is very 70s in guitar style those guitar rifts you remember sitting in the sun when it was safe to do so listening to this style of beautiful guitar work to lyrics of love with your courting partner by your side. You play this track a few times and you get this odd feeling like you’ve known it all your life.

The third track is the title track from the album ‘Secret Place’ and should have been on a past released album ‘Monsters’ but it was felt back then it would not of fitted and personally not having the pleasure of hearing that album yet I cannot agree or disagree. However on this album it fits just fine as it has that happy 90s style country beat. I love the chorus so catchy you just want to jump in and join in. The thought of the lyrics I think appeal to all of us as we all have or want a secret place to go to, to think, to be alone to be or feel secure to just feel happy and recharge our souls. Myself I head off up the National Park near me up on to the high Sussex Downs (Mountains) and feel free for a while. So hearing the lyrics I got it real fast what was trying to be said.

Track four ‘Going North’ is a mix sound of the 70s and 90s which to you who have not heard it yet I know cannot even imagine. Saying that the lyrics bring a darker mood to the album so far talking about caring for yourself and having the right to do so. Listening to the lyrics and working within the care services when not working in music it reminds me of so many out in our community who simply don’t care or prefer to look after themselves it is a thing we should have the right to decide I think. Anyway listen to the dark lyrics and make your own mind up (he says smiling).

‘Cold Weather Reggae’ the fifth track even Juan admits he felt it weird as Baby Scream just has never recorded such songs. Thing is it works so well and to those who have heard the album they all point this out as one of their most favorite tracks off the album. It is not JUST Reggae but also contains a form of progressive rock with some fantastic keyboards that give the album extra depth. The whole mixture within this song you think to a lover of music does not add up if a conclusion in a sum in mathematics the teacher would say NO but it does makes one amazing sound very refreshing. What I love is Juan’s vocals fits reggae so well, well I thought I never ever say that.

‘Bad Seed’ the sixth track I was so in to this as I know this so much, a song about a bad childhood but what I got so well was what the song was about. We all had in our life’s people we thought were friends who lie and cheat to ruin something good so they sound better. Well I had a school friend like this who in later years even thought these lies were his past history. Such a good liar he even convinced himself they were true.
Well this is what the song is about such people that go around doing this to maybe to get out of a life where they feel so small and do something they believe to be only fun.

‘Patiently’ track seven in another favorite track from the album for Juan and was inspired by Juan listening to groups like Matchbox 20 which he was into around late 90s - 2000 the track is not a direct impersonation or emulation thou very much still Baby Scream in style. What lyrics stand out are ‘if you have no feeling how can you feel’ so true today in a very much loveless society. The guitar solo in this really rocks and I just love also Juan’s vocals as his emotions clearly flow out to tell the story of using your feelings. This is what I love about Juan and Baby Scream as a whole they always so good at story telling and acting out each character within the songs.

A good song writer not only writes about good things in their life’s like loves of their life’s, wonderful memories but a good writer also enters their own dark side. Here on track eight ‘London Sun’ Juan writes about his first panic attack while visiting London. Now these things if you’ve not had one are bad enough but the first I must say is the scariest of them all, the thoughts that go through your head within split seconds are indescribable, well they were till now. The music I feel also becomes part of telling the story too it let’s you feel that feeling of fast rush then slow return to reality so amazing how the words and music work so well together.

Track nine ‘Atmosphere’ can confuse you completely very clever I thought as I cannot recall this being done before so well….what? You say, well the music is composed as very depressing with very haunting sad violin and cold wind effects blowing but yet the lyrics are more uplifting again like other tracks on this album you just read about their structure and feel this should not work yet it is one amazing piece of music and gives me great believe that out their still are amazing song writers as it just threw me how well this works. As the lyrics say IT SETS ME FREE

The final track ‘Eating My Face’ is written about a dream or more a nightmare Juan once had so based on again real experience with Juan’s life. We all have nightmares that wake us in a cold sweat in the middle of the night & this dream I feel is one I could have had as once when I was living in Australia I went to a restaurant and was served a meal that looked like some painting of the outback that should be on a wall. I looked at this confused “do I eat it or take it home and hang it on the wall” imagine thou being served a dinner looking like your face NIGHTMARE. Seriously thou this song so ends the album well, an album which is so different in styles it is like going into a supermarket buying random items off the shelf and playing them and sitting back thinking “Wow, must do that again sometime”.

The final track is the B side to the single ‘Hit And Run’ and it is Juan’s cover of the late Marc Bolan’s ‘20th Century Baby’ now I find this so personal and close to this as early 2011 I was guest on a radio show CRMK Radio ‘The Groove Lounge’. It was my birthday that day too and for my guest appearance long before I had a radio show of my own I decided to take in brand new tracks no one had heard to air on radio. Many artists so kindly recorded or gave me exclusive tracks fresh from their studios and this was what Juan so kindly sent me to air that Feb. I remember playing it before going on air and thinking his vocals are incredible and when I talked to Juan later he said how it is one of his most loved Marc Bolan numbers which was never released in Marc’s life time.
The emotion you can hear within his vocals tell how he misses one of his idols and shouts respect. On air Barry and I thought it very brave to open your emotions within a song such as this which really makes this a true tribute to Marc Bolan.





WHERE TO BUY ALBUM
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/secret-place/id449771741
Where to find out more about Baby Scream
www.babyscream.com
Where to find more videos on Baby Scream
www.youtube.com/babyscream

20th Century Boy Musicial

Thu 8 September to Sat 1 October

20th CENTURY BOY

Written by / Peter Rowe in association with Gary Lloyd, based on an original idea by Brian Dunham, Colin Giffin and Nicky Graham
Music and lyrics / Marc Bolan
Director / Gary Lloyd

The world premiere of this new musical explodes onto the New Wolsey stage this autumn. Featuring some of the greatest rock songs ever written 20th Century Boy is a celebration of the life of Marc Bolan and his band T.Rex.

Rocker, poet, electric warrior, king of glam, godfather of punk – Marc Bolan tried many styles on for size in his search to become a superstar. Before his tragic death in 1977, a few days short of his 30th birthday, Bolan lived life at breakneck speed, creating a series of iconic images, a string of number one hits and an army of obsessive fans. This dynamic new musical looks behind the glitter and the sequins to discover what drove the “bard of Hackney” to become “bigger than the Beatles”.

Packed with 70’s hits including Ride a White Swan, Metal Guru, Get It On, I Love to Boogie, Children of the Revolution, and of course, the title track 20th Century Boy!

Be the first to see this spectacular new musical.

www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Time / 7.45pm... with the following exceptions...

Coming direct from work? Need to catch a train? To accommodate your plans, we are presenting performances at 7.00pm on the following dates:

Fri 9, Tue 13, Fri 16 (the anniversary of Marc’s death), Tue 20, Fri 23, Tue 27 and Friday 30 September (the anniversary of Marc’s birthday and an opportunity to pay tribute to the King of Glam by dressing up in his honour)

Matinees / Wed 14, Sat 17, Wed 21, Sat 24, Wed 28 September and Sat 1 October at 2.30pm


Post-Show Talk
Thursday 22 September                      

Audio Described Performance
Saturday 24 September
at 2.30pm
Pre-show touch tour
at 1.30pm

Captioned Performance
Thursday 29 September
at 7.45pm

Tickets: £8.50 - £25

£10 Special:
All tickets £10 on
Thu 8, Fri 9, Sat 10 &
Mon 12 September

Group Special:
All tickets £10
for Groups 10+
on Wed 14 September

Our mailing address is:

New Wolsey Theatre

New Wolsey Theatre

Civic Drive

Ipswich, England IP1 2SN

Moondance Ace MegaRex Mix - Steve Christopher

Throughout 2010 I was working with one artist or another and in doing so did work on various album projects.

One being 'MOONDANCE' by Steve Christopher.

This is a 12 track album with a mix of instrumentals & some real fine vocal tracks all written & composed by Steve himself.

Check out these amazing tracks











Now on sale from various places I have here a video of a mix I put together so you can all get to hear / preview the album which is on CD or download.

Go to -
http://www.reverbnation.co.uk/stevechristopher
or

email moondancealbum@hotmail.com
or just go to iTunes

Anyone for a MOONDANCE???

No not talking Michael Jackson...


Back in July 2010 I reviewed a gig by 'The Chain' live at The Elms Worthing.
In the band I mentioned someone I already knew before seeing the concert a Steve Christopher, singer/songwriter and former singer/songwriter with 'Lorelei'

Now in my music promoting I either come across new talent or someone introduces me to them in this case it was the latter.

I am so pleased too as such a talent, such a natural on the axe a master.

Hear I will tell you not only how 'Moondance' came to be but tell you a little about the tracks on the album.

During 2010 Steve Christopher sent me a collection of songs he had written/composed & over time he often joke "hey! nearly enough for an album boy". Then the track 'Moondance' came on MP3 & the production level is so high on this with multi layers of guitars not only me but others said "should be name of the album" and what started off as banter in conversation soon became reality.

One afternoon with free time which is often rare for me I designed the cover in fact 3 versions sort of like a joke & stuck them on Steve Christopher's Facebook page saying to his friends "which one for the album cover?" and the one which is now the official cover is the one most voted by his friends & himself I may add.

It got funny as Steve said to me "well it looks like I'm making an album then" then we both got serious into making it happen.

Out of a possible 17 tracks we picked 12 & played with running order & this is what became 'Moondance by Steve Christopher...

Track one 'Sexy Baby' kicks off the album an instrumental that starts with almost acoustic country feel but soon has this amazing electric rock sound that reminds me of those classic 70's big solo's we all use to love. Much like the rest of the album it features layers of guitars that blend & sing together.
I found myself come addicted however to the next track 'Too Loud For Love' a tongue in cheek song of love sung by Steve with a feel of ZZ Top to the guitar solo. This track really rocks.

The next track 'Time For Heroes' is another instrumental and thoughts were of those endless heroes who give themselves for their country. The guitar work is so haunting on this especially on big sound system as that Brian May style guitar screams like a battle cry truely a very moving track.
The mood changes for 'In This World' acoustic/electric almost folk in style a story about search for love amoung other things. While 'Sea Breeze' is one of those songs you can close your eyes & just be there as it so has the feel of being at sea.
I remember being so impressed at Steve's axe doing impressions of wildlife as it screams like a seagul in parts so amazing & real.

'Whispered Thoughts' has some amazing acoustic work that again reminds me of real classic rock like Fleetwood Mac. The electric guitar like the rest of the album sings so beauitful.These instrumentals on this album really carry well on various players true pleasure to the ears.
The title track follows the previous track which I already talked of earlier. It is followed by 'Just To Be Me' which is a real personal track as in title it's lyrics are very much about Steve & how he feels making music. It has the lines 'I know I must keep my feet firmly on the ground, to be true to be free just to be me'.
Now the instrumental 'Labour Of Love' is much loved by many & like many other tracks on this album is very personal to Steve as he really does make the creating of music a labour of love as he puts so much of himself into these compositions.
The following track is older than many featured on 'Moondance' as I sort of requested it (he smiles). See when I first knew Steve he had not long sold a guitar he was sad to see go. This guitar he recorded himself playing before it was picked up & went off to it's new owner. This track logically was entitled 'My Old Guitar' and such a wonderful track it is too really showed how much he thought of it while listening I know sounds corny to you but listen you know what I mean.
'Murder In The First Degree' is the final vocal track of the album & Steve was shocked when I reported to him that I had feedback from people thinking it was new Status Quo due to Steve's vocals sounding so much like Francis Rosi. The guitar work on the track as like all the album is totally awesome.
The final track of 'MOONDANCE' is 'From The Hip' and when I first heard this it took me back to days of 'The Ole Grey Whistle Test' I know showing my age but was so impressed & feel it finishes the album of nicely.

MOONDANCE is an amazing journey for real music lovers especially lovers of the axe.



Check Steve Christopher out on
http://www.reverbnation.com/stevechristopher
http://www.whotune.com/Steve_Christopher
http://www.myspace.com/soundthemes
http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveChrist1
http://www.facebook.com/SteveChristopher

Baby Scream THE ARTIST and THE ALBUM

They say in music time does not stand still music always moves on and after not that too long ago I was reviewing Juan Pablo Mazzola’s previous releases under Baby Scream a new 10 track album is soon to be released under a newly signed label OK Records.
Already taking pre-orders and includes a limited edition CD receiving my promotional copy and playing it I hear just that in this collection of tracks … growth.

Just pressing play and into the first track I hear that movement of music I was talking about in Juan’s music as unlike past releases this kicks off like some power rock album so different to his past acoustic starts.
‘Powerpop Crush’ really lives up to its title and warms you up for the ride your about to receive playing the album simply named ‘Baby Scream’. The track is raw, crunchy & powerful with those amazing vocals that so often get compared to Lennon or even Harrison from The Beatles.

The album cover gives you a simplistic image but ‘don’t be fool by the cover’ as often been said as nothing on this album is simplistic.

In my work in music I have an artist I work with named a chameleon mainly because he can play any music & adapts/changes to fit that genre like he belongs.
However Baby Scream is more like an artist working with the finest detailed water colours you can be listening to a track from this album and like two colours meeting on a water colour masterpiece the sounds merge and become something different.
This can very much be heard throughout the album take ‘Exile’ it starts sounding very much in The Beatle style musically then your over powered by this magic sound like two colours merging in it appears /sounds of Electric Light Orchestra in there hey days with spot on perfect harmonies but the vocals are so Baby Scream with that pure vocals of Juan from previous albums making the sound all his.

The track of the album for me appears early on which is track three and is in fact the first I heard from this album via Oli K of OK! Records the track is entitled ‘Jekyll & Hyde’. Not just because I love the story by Robert Louis Stevenson and the many movies of the same name. I found listening to this track the music does in fact have this Jekyll & Hyde appearance in it’s mid change like the music as well as Juan become all characters within the song playing it out from start to fade truly an amazing track.

‘Mental Case’ Juan’s voice has that more rough crazy Jack Nicholson edge to it but more times you play it you get to notice his in fact playing/singing in character again. The music itself has this guitar almost stomp/march feel to it that really goes with the theme of the lyrics and lunacy with a really wonderful guitar solo.

‘The Ghost Of Valerie’ featuring the amazing Eric Dover (Alice Cooper) the guitar work on this is amazing, haunting even which is fitting considering the title. Juan’s vocals are just like the pure Juan’s voice I got hooked on way back in the 2008 ‘Ups & Down’ release. Like all the tracks self penned by Juan these lyrics are amazing, A dark topic which most are on this album it really gives you things to think about.

‘Watching The End Of The World (On TV)’ another dark topic and like what I talked on at the start this music changes and changes again throughout with music merging together so has so many directions that really works well and rocks. The lyrics remind me of a child kids hiding from the scary TV shows of the 70s. Also thou reminds me of the crazy and dangerous world we live in.

‘Nipone’ has a wonderful oriental feel, sound and is a lovely ballad with beautiful acoustic guitar work. It features also some amazing wind instruments that add to the theme. The vocals are again more the pure Juan blending into a Lennon ‘Beautiful Boy’ which is always wonderful to hear.

‘Lazy’ reminds me of some old 70s hotel bar in music in it’s opening till that is WHAM!!! In comes this amazing drum & guitar THUMP!! And the song really kicks off. I just love the lyrics sums up so many people I know ‘You say that I’m lazy, you say that I’m crazy’ yes that’s all my friends summed up in one line myself included if I’m honest. This has to be my 2nd favorite of the album

‘What About You’ starts with some amazing rock rift sounding like some classic rock album, it really got my attention, maybe because I had it on LOUD but hey! It is amazing.
Then in comes Juan on vocals again having a rawer, rough edge to it showing how much added extra he can always add and surprise you in each song. As Juan has a hidden power in his vocals in the past his very much locked away till now.

The album comes to an end with the beautiful track oddly named ‘Twenty Seven’ which returns Juan to his early days of amazing acoustic work pure guitar sound pure vocals it just doesn’t get any better in sound than this which is an apt way to end an album.

As for the entire album BABY SCREAM it is a wonder to own an amazing colourful collection of songs that go through darkness to light in themes and sounds.
Making the mix from the album I really got to love the album even more as all the tracks all stand on their own as amazing pieces of work.

As for BABY SCREAM the artist Juan Pablo Mazzola shows again how you can never put him in one box as his music like the tide moves and changes direction always surprising you when you feel you know him well he gives you something new. Juan seems to know how to pick a theme to a song not only write/compose about it but become it so it is like owning a collection of mini plays and all acted/performed with true honesty.


www.babyscream.com

www.youtube.com/babyscream

www.myspace.com/babyscream

GIG REVIEW – Aladdinsane Worthing Pavilion 3rd September

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