Crackerjack Bristol Reviews

Ricky Gervais - Science: Colston Hall

Steveharnell — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:39:26 +0000

There's multi-tasking and then there's spreading yourself too thinly. With his career plate-spinning activities currently running to hosting the Golden Globe awards, continuing his record-breaking podcast series as well as writing, producing and directing Cemetery Junction - a new movie collaboration with Stephen Merchant - Ricky Gervais has set himself a stiff challenge in finding the time to create a fully-realised fourth stand-up show.

Ian Siegal: The Tunnels

Steveharnell — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:34:19 +0000

Bristol’s blues fans have not been particularly well served as far as gigs these days, so to have two of Britain’s most highly rated bluesmen playing gigs in the city within a few days of each other was a rare treat indeed.

First we had Aynsley Lister’s gig at The Tunnels on Friday and three days later the same venue played host to the equally highly-applauded Ian Siegal.

It Bites/Aynsley Lister: The Tunnels

Steveharnell — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:14:21 +0000

As soccer pundits might say, this was a gig of two halves. We had two bands that played totally different sorts of music and two audiences most of whom seemed unwilling to cross over the genre boundaries and give the other act a chance to impress.

Jill Sobule: St Bonaventure's

Steveharnell — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:29:19 +0000

You will probably remember Katy Perry’s 2008 smash hit I Kissed A Girl.

Sadly not quite so many people remember Jill Sobule’s record of the same name that came out 13 years earlier.

Fun Lovin' Criminals: O2 Academy

Steveharnell — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:27:07 +0000

When this aptly named trio take to the stage it's less of a gig and more of a party.

They sure are Fun and Lovin' but, for legal reasons, the criminal part must remain a mystery.

The smooth-talking Huey Morgan and co have been out of the live circuit for what seems for years.

That could be why they looked like they were so happy to be there, but it's probably more likely that they are always having fun playing to an ever growing fan base.

Snow White on Ice: Bristol Hippodrome

Steveharnell — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:06:54 +0000

There is no doubt that the Russian Ice Stars would have enjoyed a greater area of ice than the Hippodrome stage offered on which to demonstrate their undoubted skills.

Not that this is by any means the smallest area on which they will have to perform during their busy schedule. On March 22nd they will have to fit this version of the classic tale, in which seven fine Woodcutters replace tne usual small gentlemen who befriend Snow White, onto the much more restricted stage of the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham.

Stiff Little Fingers: O2 Academy

Steveharnell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:43:12 +0000

Under the banner of Breakout:2010 and back in Bristol for the umpteenth time, Stiff Little Fingers continue to command a large crowd.

In fact, Wednesday's impressive turn out was near on capacity. Not bad for an outfit going thirty-three years and without a new release since 2004.

The mosh pit alone consisted of a good two hundred die hard fans and there was unrestrained frenzy as the band kicked off with first album stalwart, Wasted Life.

Turin Brakes: St George's

Steveharnell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:39:11 +0000

In recent years this indie folk outfit from London have divided their critics.
But judging by the bums on seats at a packed St George’s the devotion of their fans runs deep.

The beauty of Turin Brakes is their ability to surprise. Each song for them is an epic journey, often building from a moment of sombre quietude to a rousing anthem, which gathers harmonies, drums and cowbells along the way.

Edwina Hayes: Future Inn

Steveharnell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:36:44 +0000

Edwina Hayes is no stranger to Bristol, in the past having played here in such illustrious company as Nanci Griffith, Jools Holland and, more recently, the frontman of the legendary The Byrds, Roger McGuinn.

Strangely for a singer who has spent the past 10 years gigging across Britain and America, this was her first solo gig in the city.

Nik Kershaw: Thekla

Steveharnell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:32:22 +0000

Without a snood in sight, Nik Kershaw returned to the city of his birth and graced Bristolians with a good choice of his 1980s hits and some of his more recent stuff on his No Frills tour.

Many people think Nik was a flash-in-the-pan 80s pop star best known for hits like The Riddle and Wouldn’t It Be Good. A few others remember that he penned Chesney Hawkes’ No 1 The One And Only. But most people don’t realise that Nik has continued working hard, and recent collaborators include musicians as varied as Elton John, Gary Barlow and Jason Donovan.

Frightened Rabbit: Thekla

Steveharnell — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:26:42 +0000

The band name leaves a lot to be desired, but once you get over that all is good.

Instead of the bunch of teenage Uni students you’d expect to come up with such a name it’s a motley crew of Jocks.

While the comparisons to fellow Scots Idlewild and Pictish Trail are easy to make it’s the energy of the likes of Arcade Fire which really shines through.

Music: CD reviews for March 11

e3admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:05:34 +0000

Ellie Goulding
Lights
(Polydor Records)
This hotly-tipped Hereford-born singer-songwriter seems destined to be huge. Goulding appeared on Jools Holland before even releasing her first single, has already scooped a Brits Critics Choice Award and won the BBC’s Sound of 2010 poll in advance of this debut album hitting the record racks.

Thai Garden

Steveharnell — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:20:41 +0000

There are two types of Thai restaurant. On the one hand, there are those where no expense is spared when it comes to gold dragons, staff in silk costumes and enormous water features, but where the quality of food doesn’t match the surroundings.

And then there are places like Thai Garden, which has gone for a far more modest décor but where the food more than makes up for it.

Thai Garden opened on West Street in Bedminster last month and had it not been for an Evening Post reader who alerted me to the fact, I may never have spotted it.

The Grapes

Steveharnell — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:15:55 +0000

The sign outside reads ‘Welcome to the Planet of the Grapes’ and it soon becomes clear that this is no ordinary Clifton Village pub.

Tucked away just off The Mall and close to the Suspension Bridge, this handsome old pub is certainly off the beaten track but, one suspects, that’s how the new owner likes it.

Handful of Henna: Tobacco Factory

Steveharnell — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:51:23 +0000

With a swirl of a sari and the swish of a dazzling silk shawl, Rani Moorthy’s Handful of Henna sweeps us into the mindset of women caught between two worlds.

Hot Flush!: Bristol Hippodrome

Steveharnell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:37:49 +0000

Four women of a certain age and a sole male performer act out a menopausal musical in which the old jokes arrive like flocks of friends from a half a century of sitcoms.

Stephen Lynch: Bristol Hippodrome

Steveharnell — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:13:18 +0000

In Britain there is a great tradition of comedy songwriting, but it has tended to be of a rather genteel nature, with artists such Flanders and Swann or Victoria Wood.

In America the humour has always been more caustic (think of Tom Lehrer’s Poisoning Pigeons in the Park).

Stephen Lynch, who is starting on his 3 Balloons UK tour, appears at first sight to be just another affable clean-cut all American boy armed only with a folksy acoustic guitar and some stories to tell.

Newton Faulkner: Colston Hall

Steveharnell — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:09:14 +0000

Shoeless with long red dreadlocks he looks like he should be singing around a campfire but instead a sell-out Colston Hall provided the setting for Newton Faulkner last night.

Carlene Carter: Thunderbolt

Steveharnell — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:06:08 +0000

Under the passionate stewardship of landlord Dave McDonald, the Thunderbolt is steadily earning itself a great reputation as a live venue in Bristol. He is consistently putting on superb nights – a wonderful mixture of established live bands, up and coming artists and writers.

Blood Red Shoes: Thekla

Steveharnell — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:40:05 +0000

Sometimes simple is best. While some bands rely on string sections, backing singers or technical wizardry, others take a more straight forward approach.

Blood Red Shoes are a two-piece from Brighton, with just one guitarist and just one drummer.

With Laura-Mary Carter on a telecaster and Steven Ansell on the skins, they are often described as the White Stripes in reverse.

Musically though, they have less in common with Jack White's first band as they do with early 1990s alternative rock.