Phoenix Arts Centre - May 2008
Review by Jeremy Searle
Nottingham singer-songwriter Andy Whittle is something of an undiscovered gem, with two excellent albums to his credit and a third on the way, which judging by the songs previewed in this set will easily match them. Whereas on album he is happy to use big productions and sounds, live he stripped it right back to just him and his guitar, with some occasional bass and delicate backing vocals from Rebecca Dawson. This brings the words to the fore and, delivered in his tender and expressive voice the overall effect is amazingly moving. Self-effacing to a fault he frequently loses himself completely in the songs, as indeed do the audience.
Highlights amongst a set full of them include “Friendly Fire”, a fine addition to the ranks of anti-war songs, given slightly spooky resonance by the fact that his cousin was killed in Afghanistan a short while after he wrote the song. An insistent, urgent beat drives a song of real passion and anger. The anthemic “Come the Morning” provokes a bit of a singalong, no mean achievement for 12.30 in the afternoon, and the poignant “Ten Thousand Miles”, about a girlfriend moving to Australia and the consequences thereof, stands tall despite Whittles dry observation at the start that now she’s moved back again so the song doesn’t quite work now. It does for the audience though, as indeed does everything else from a performer who is undoubtedly a major name in the making.
NEW ALBUM "MOON ENOUGH TO SEE" COMING SOON! What the press say:Simply mesmerising Nottingham Evening Post
"Old Fashioned Dream is a great album, not just for a debut, but by anyone's standards." - Cambridge & Beyond
Andy Whittle is an optimistic Nick Drake, a young Neil Young Folkroddels (Belgium)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Christmas is coming soon. Are you looking for a Christmas present and would like to help handicapped children? Than please request the list of donations in kind from HelpCharity, www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity , by sending me an e-mail at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de . Many donations in kind are autographed.
If you don't have the chance to request the list of donations in kind, please add HelpCharity to your Top Friends!
Thanks for helping me to support handicapped children!
Christian
Founder of HelpCharity Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 (0) 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 (0) 171 6903352 E-Mail: Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Internet: www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity Internet: www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Today I would like to let you know about two print magazines in Germany I'm writing for.
"Living Line Dance", reporting about line dance and country music, and "Folk Magazine", reporting about folk and country music. The magazines are high respected in Europe. They offer you a good chance to publicize yourself in Europe and Germany.
For more information, please contact me at MySpace or send email to Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de with the headline "Advertise at Living Line Dance and Folk Magazine".
Hi, just letting you know i've got a new track posted on my page, ' A cryptologists dream ', if you get a chance would you mind stopping by and lettin me know what you think! Cheers, Pocketwotch.
Just a thought... if you're free tonight I'm playing at The Running Horse in Nottingham along with Lucy Ward, Dawn Pickering and Tania Holloway! Starts 7.30pm £3 entry! Be great if you can make it! Happy hugs x
Many thanks to yourself, Jay and Rebecca for an excellent set on Friday. You made some new friends and there was a lot of positive talk about you afterwards. I'll be in touch about another gig as soon as. All the best for now. Kev
We're Fare Evaders, we recently changed our name from the Vibes, we changed the line up slightly and we are changing our sound a bit, just want to let everyone know cus not many people know we changed our name, so yer, check our songs out if you get a chance please, see what ya think.We would appreciate your support !
Good to be connected - Welcome to Furthur Progressions!
Our first compilation 'VA London Landscapes' is being released on CD on 24th April. Featuring a hand-picked selection of the genreʼs finest talents, legends and new-comers, it is the perfect way for Furthur Progressions Records to land safely (but not quietly) in your music collection for the first time!
Tracklist:
1. Insane Creation & DJ Shybe : Deep Mac
2. Shadow FX : Exhale
3. Dick Trevor : Zuffle Shuffle
4. Earsugar : Mindprint
5. Ace Ventura : Genesis
6. Etic v Orgapulse : Daylight Hookers (Cimi rmx)
7. Liquid Soul : Perfect Day
8. Sentrafuge : No Words (Original mix)
9. Dog Soldiers : Denmark
Samples @ ..Psyshop..
:)
This years festival is headlined by Billy Bragg (Friday), Seth Lakeman (Sunday) and Peatbog Faeries (Saturday) with many more top artists also performing incl the award winning The Demon Barbers.
Online Now!
