Sweet dissatisfaction
Snakecharmer (with Rebecca Downes) – O2 ABC2, Glasgow, 18th May 2017
Snakecharmer (with Rebecca Downes) – O2 ABC2, Glasgow, 18th May 2017
While a number of factors continually conspire to produce lower than expected (and lower than deserved) audience numbers for rock and blues gigs held in Glasgow’s 02 ABC2 (complete indifference from the mainstream media (cheers boys) and the dreaded "club night" curfew (early start-early finish) being the two biggest offenders) it was an unfortunate booking clash that scuppered any chance of a packed show this particular evening.
American band Whiskey Myers, whose gigging stock has risen threefold in the UK these last eighteen months were, predictably, looking at bigger venues this time around.
What couldn’t have been predicted was the worse-case-live scenario of the Red Dirt country rockers playing on the same night, in the same building, as Snakecharmer.
Even with the latter’s blue-rock supergroup status (producing a collective power from their tried and tested individual talents) and an excellent, just released second album, that’s still a recipe for near disaster and slim-line ticket sales.
Suffering even more, given the early start issue, was the Rebecca Downes Band.
It may have been a small crowd (the majority of those attending the gig were still making their way in during the opening act’s six song, forty minute set) but it was a highly appreciative and respectful crowd, and one that got to hear and see just why the wee lass with the big voice picked up the Best Female Vocalist and Emerging Talent trophies at the 2016 British Blues Awards.
Backed by a solid four-piece band that features her co-songwriter and guitarist Steve Birkett, Rebecca Downes delivered a set based around current release Believe.
A highly accomplished album, Believe showcases the vocal light, shade and versatility of the Birmingham based singer, as evidenced on bright and shufflin' opener 'Never Gonna Learn' and the melodic soul-pop of second number 'It’s That Way.'
A cover of 'Piece of my Heart' (influenced by the Janis Joplin version) also featured but was beaten on the night by the plaintive, melodic slow blues 'Sailing on a Pool of Tears' and set closer 'Believe;' the latter built to a southern rockin' fast-paced finale, Rebecca Downes on full pipe power and Steve Birkett delivering tasty fretboard run after fretboard run.
The heavy hitting but melodically infused calling card of Snakecharmer was delivered loud and clear with the one-two opening punch of the beefy, blues rocking 'Follow Me Under' and the slightly slower tempo, but equally weighty, 'Are You Ready to Fly;' both songs are lifted from the recently released Second Skin.
It’s not just the quality of Snakecharmer's latest material that immediately impresses; this is also one seriously impressive band.
A rhythm section that features bassist Neil Murray and Thunder drummer Harry James is a lock-down done deal and the solid platform upon which the others can express themselves and truly shine.
Laurie Wisefield and latest recruit Simon McBride have quickly dovetailed in to an exceptional six-string pairing that play to, and off of, each other’s strengths.
Wisefield’s melodic and precise reputation precedes him (the ex Wishbone Ash man also delivers big, earthy chords that are such a part of the Snakecharmer sound) while McBride, with an incredibly fluid style (and the ability to crank out a bluesified run of notes that can be as feisty or as tempered as a song needs, seemingly on tap) proved why Guitarist Magazine had no hesitation in ranking him "among the best blues-rock players anywhere in the world."
Adam Wakeman (most lately of Ozzy Osbourne) fills the gaps with big Hammond sounding grooves and well-placed keyboard runs while Heartland’s Chris Ousey has become even more vocally assured and confident as the husky voiced front man of Snakecharmer.
Given the group’s birth came from the ashes of M3 Classic Whitesnake, that band’s influence on the sound of their self-titled debut and ex Whitesnake man Neil Murray the driving force of Snakecharmer, it’s no surprise classic Whitesnake numbers still make an appearance in the set lists.
But while a song such as 'Ready an' Willing' is undeniably a great fit for the band (Neil Murray’s bass groove reinforces and reminds of how integral he was to that classic 'Snake sound) Snakecharmer don’t need more than one Whitesnake cover as a nod to Murray’s previous and their now tenuous links to that band.
However the band are caught between a blues rock and a hard place when it comes to such material.
Since the post-debut album departure of Micky Moody, and with the quality of Second Skin, they don’t need to play them, but there is an argument for having to play them – 'Crying in the Rain' (which featured three great, not over extended solos from Messrs Wisefield, McBride and Wakeman) and 'Here I Go Again' got two of the biggest cheers of the night; the latter also produced the obligatory and predictable sing-along.
All of which tells its own story.
All that said eight Second Skin numbers were performed (the middle of the set featured a formidable four-in-a-row that included heavy blues rocker 'Hell of a Way to Live' and the outstanding AOR melodic blues of 'That Kind of Love') and four debut album songs also featured, including the infectious and hooky 'Accident Prone.'
"Sweet satisfaction to soothe my soul" sang Chris Ousey, backed by a small but vocal Weegie choir.
Indeed Chris, but on a night where fate and circumstance again dictated a low turn-out for a high quality, two band blues rock gig at the 02 ABC2 it was also sweet dissatisfaction to sour the soul of great live music in Glasgow city centre.
But then, with a few noticeable and larger/ wider fan-base exceptions, the British blues rock club circuit, even with an abundance of established and burgeoning talent, seems forever destined to be just that – a club circuit, and one that has to suffer the trials, tribulations and potential booking issues that can bring.
I’m Ready an' Willing to be proven wrong though.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Snakecharmer (with Special Guest Rebecca Downes) - remaining Second Skin UK Tour dates:
May 24th - Guild Hall, Preston
May 25th - The Stables, Milton Keynes
May 26th - Cheese & Grain, Frome
May 27th – Picturedrome, Holmfirth
American band Whiskey Myers, whose gigging stock has risen threefold in the UK these last eighteen months were, predictably, looking at bigger venues this time around.
What couldn’t have been predicted was the worse-case-live scenario of the Red Dirt country rockers playing on the same night, in the same building, as Snakecharmer.
Even with the latter’s blue-rock supergroup status (producing a collective power from their tried and tested individual talents) and an excellent, just released second album, that’s still a recipe for near disaster and slim-line ticket sales.
Suffering even more, given the early start issue, was the Rebecca Downes Band.
It may have been a small crowd (the majority of those attending the gig were still making their way in during the opening act’s six song, forty minute set) but it was a highly appreciative and respectful crowd, and one that got to hear and see just why the wee lass with the big voice picked up the Best Female Vocalist and Emerging Talent trophies at the 2016 British Blues Awards.
Backed by a solid four-piece band that features her co-songwriter and guitarist Steve Birkett, Rebecca Downes delivered a set based around current release Believe.
A highly accomplished album, Believe showcases the vocal light, shade and versatility of the Birmingham based singer, as evidenced on bright and shufflin' opener 'Never Gonna Learn' and the melodic soul-pop of second number 'It’s That Way.'
A cover of 'Piece of my Heart' (influenced by the Janis Joplin version) also featured but was beaten on the night by the plaintive, melodic slow blues 'Sailing on a Pool of Tears' and set closer 'Believe;' the latter built to a southern rockin' fast-paced finale, Rebecca Downes on full pipe power and Steve Birkett delivering tasty fretboard run after fretboard run.
The heavy hitting but melodically infused calling card of Snakecharmer was delivered loud and clear with the one-two opening punch of the beefy, blues rocking 'Follow Me Under' and the slightly slower tempo, but equally weighty, 'Are You Ready to Fly;' both songs are lifted from the recently released Second Skin.
It’s not just the quality of Snakecharmer's latest material that immediately impresses; this is also one seriously impressive band.
A rhythm section that features bassist Neil Murray and Thunder drummer Harry James is a lock-down done deal and the solid platform upon which the others can express themselves and truly shine.
Laurie Wisefield and latest recruit Simon McBride have quickly dovetailed in to an exceptional six-string pairing that play to, and off of, each other’s strengths.
Wisefield’s melodic and precise reputation precedes him (the ex Wishbone Ash man also delivers big, earthy chords that are such a part of the Snakecharmer sound) while McBride, with an incredibly fluid style (and the ability to crank out a bluesified run of notes that can be as feisty or as tempered as a song needs, seemingly on tap) proved why Guitarist Magazine had no hesitation in ranking him "among the best blues-rock players anywhere in the world."
Adam Wakeman (most lately of Ozzy Osbourne) fills the gaps with big Hammond sounding grooves and well-placed keyboard runs while Heartland’s Chris Ousey has become even more vocally assured and confident as the husky voiced front man of Snakecharmer.
Given the group’s birth came from the ashes of M3 Classic Whitesnake, that band’s influence on the sound of their self-titled debut and ex Whitesnake man Neil Murray the driving force of Snakecharmer, it’s no surprise classic Whitesnake numbers still make an appearance in the set lists.
But while a song such as 'Ready an' Willing' is undeniably a great fit for the band (Neil Murray’s bass groove reinforces and reminds of how integral he was to that classic 'Snake sound) Snakecharmer don’t need more than one Whitesnake cover as a nod to Murray’s previous and their now tenuous links to that band.
However the band are caught between a blues rock and a hard place when it comes to such material.
Since the post-debut album departure of Micky Moody, and with the quality of Second Skin, they don’t need to play them, but there is an argument for having to play them – 'Crying in the Rain' (which featured three great, not over extended solos from Messrs Wisefield, McBride and Wakeman) and 'Here I Go Again' got two of the biggest cheers of the night; the latter also produced the obligatory and predictable sing-along.
All of which tells its own story.
All that said eight Second Skin numbers were performed (the middle of the set featured a formidable four-in-a-row that included heavy blues rocker 'Hell of a Way to Live' and the outstanding AOR melodic blues of 'That Kind of Love') and four debut album songs also featured, including the infectious and hooky 'Accident Prone.'
"Sweet satisfaction to soothe my soul" sang Chris Ousey, backed by a small but vocal Weegie choir.
Indeed Chris, but on a night where fate and circumstance again dictated a low turn-out for a high quality, two band blues rock gig at the 02 ABC2 it was also sweet dissatisfaction to sour the soul of great live music in Glasgow city centre.
But then, with a few noticeable and larger/ wider fan-base exceptions, the British blues rock club circuit, even with an abundance of established and burgeoning talent, seems forever destined to be just that – a club circuit, and one that has to suffer the trials, tribulations and potential booking issues that can bring.
I’m Ready an' Willing to be proven wrong though.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Snakecharmer (with Special Guest Rebecca Downes) - remaining Second Skin UK Tour dates:
May 24th - Guild Hall, Preston
May 25th - The Stables, Milton Keynes
May 26th - Cheese & Grain, Frome
May 27th – Picturedrome, Holmfirth
