Dracula

Dracula

Middlesbrough Theatre

12.3.2014

With a cast of just five people and a minimalist set, the Blackeyed Theatre production of Bram Stoker's Dracula represented an ambitious undertaking.

John Ginman's adaptation aims to ''create a fully theatrical experience that engages with the book's key concerns, which are of abiding and compelling fascination.'' Dracula can certainly draw in the crowds; the Middlesbrough Theatre was packed and one could sense a palpable ripple of excitement and anticipation as the houselights went down to signal the impending evening of creepy entertainment.

The cast worked hard to switch between a plethora of characters, which each member portraying a number of different people, from the main parts - Dracula, Professor Van Helsing, Jonathan Harker, Doctor Seward, Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker - to others such as the zoophagous maniac, Renfield.

Snatches of music and song helped to establish location in imaginative fashion and the set was utilised very efficiently and effectively to switch key locations in the blink of an eye.

Paul Kevin-Taylor doubled up in the roles of Dracula and Professor Van Helsing; both were magnificently realised, but it made a direct encounter between the key protagonists impossible.

Blood and gore were conveyed with subtlety rather than in explicit terms, which served the play well. Dracula's nobility, presence and power were delivered courtesy of a strong theatrical performance and didn't need any special effects.

All in all, it was an inventive retelling of a familiar story, delivered in style. An entertaining and thought provoking evening.

Albert Castiglia: Solid Ground

Solid Ground

Albert Castiglia

Ruf Records

The new album from Albert Castiglia presents 14 meaty slices of blues rock.

Track List

Triflin'
Keep You Around Too Long
Searching The Desert For The Blues
Have You No Shame
Put Some Stank On It
Love One Another
Sleepless Nights
Going Down Slow
Celebration
Hard Time
Bad Avenue
Sway
Little Havana Blues
Just Like Jesus

Triflin' starts off the album as it means to go on: infectious guitar riff, pounding drums and no-nonsense lyrics expressing a growing intolerance of people who trifle with one's time. That's not to say Solid Ground is one-trick pony; indeed, although all of the songs reside firmly within the blues rock genre there are several changes of house style along the way. Have You No Shame drops the tempo for an effective heartbreaker, while Put Some Stank On It swerves to dip a toe or two into rockabilly territory.

There's one or two surprises along the way too, with Sway - yes, the Rolling Stones classic from Sticky Fingers - being tackled in ambitious fashion. I had my doubts about the wisdom of such a cover when I first saw the track list, but Albert - with deep blues voice well to the fore and firing off guitar licks left, right and centre - pulls it off in impressive fashion.

There's clearly been a lot of effort put into this album, as confirmed by Albert himself: ''Solid Ground is my best album to date. I put more time, love, blood, sweat and tears into this recording than any of the others, and it shows. I love every song on it and I'm sure there'll be something for everyone to like.''

For the latest news and tour dates, head over to Albert's official website and the GFI Promotions site.

Christina Skjolberg: Come And Get It

Come And Get It

Christina Skjolberg

Ruf Records

Formerly ''Norway's best-kept secret'', Christina Skjolberg has now been unleashed on the rest of the world. Come And Get It is her debut studio album and it is a big statement of intent.

Track List

Come And Get It
Runaway
Close The Door
Bullet
Get On
Moving On
Inspiration
Hush
I'm Back
Mrs. Funk
Nag Blues

The title track kicks things off in powerful fashion, living up to Christina's own description of her music. ''As you will hear, my influences are deeply rooted in the '70s, with a mix of blues, rock and funk.'' Yes, all of those boxes are definitely ticked here, with the funky bass vying for attention with the blistering guitar solos. Keyboards add an extra dimension of tracks such as Close The Door.

The pace only drops a little as we head to the halfway point, with the more bluesy Moving On, but Inspiration steams rapidly in immediately afterwards to blast away and doubts as to where the general direction of the album is headed. Come And Get It concludes with two final slices clearly highlighting Christina's musical roots, with the self-explanatory Mrs. Funk and the toe-tapping, up-tempo Nag Blues.

Christina was given free reign to ''write and record any type of songs I liked'' and her personality shines through the whole 11-song experience. ''I had a fantastic time writing and recording this album and I hope that you'll have a good time listening to it, too.''

It looks like Ruf Records have signed another winner and we should expect to hear a lot more of Christina Skjolberg. ''I'm very proud to be a part of Ruf Records and fortunate to have this fantastic opportunity to spread my music around the world.''

Christina Skjolberg website and the GFI Promotions site.

Laurence Jones: Temptation

Temptation

Laurence Jones

Ruf Records

Temptation, Laurence Jones's first album for Ruf Records, is released today.

Track List

Foolin' Me
Move On
Tomorrow Is Another Day
Temptation
Can't Keep Living Like This
Whisper In The Wind
Fall From The Sky
My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble
Southern Breeze
Wind Me Up
Bad Bad Dream
Soul Swamp River

Laurence holds nothing back on this high-powered set of numbers from the rock 'n' roll side of the blues. ''This album represents what I'm doing right now and these songs come across like when I play live.'' Indeed, the power and intensity refuse to drop at any point.

Produced - with all rock guns blazing - by Mike Zito and with a familiar bedrock of rhythm provided by Yonrico Scott (drums) and Charlie Wooton (bass) of Royal Southern Brotherhood, Temptation has a rich, rocking sound that demands attention. Laurence's guitar playing is exemplary and his voice seems tailor made for the genre.

Temptation is in similar style to Laurence's Ruf stable-mate Oli Brown. If Oli's style appeals (and it should!) then don't try and resist Temptation.

For news and tour dates, please visit the Laurence Jones website and the GFI Promotions site.

Mark Harrison: The World Outside

The World Outside

Mark Harrison

The World Outside is the follow up to Mark Harrison's 2012 album, Crooked Smile (reviewed here).

Track List

Panic Attack

Long Gone Miles

Your Second Line

Run

Big Mary's House

Not All Right

Where Ignorance Is Bliss

Long Long Way To Go

In The Neighbourhood

Floatin' Around

The Numbers Game

Hard Times Now

If Crooked Smile was Mark's view of the world from his own personal standpoint, then Outside World sees him step through the door to encounter the rest of the world in all its glory, from the eccentric to the scary, from hectic modern life to the hard times of a bygone era.

Inhabiting the dual worlds of blues and folk, each song has a story to tell. All 12 songs were written by Mark himself and no two sound the same. The range takes in everything from the riff-driven blues of Panic Attack to the gentle, almost lullaby folk of Floatin' Around.

Mark's vocals and guitars - namely, a 1934 National resonator and a 12-string - are augmented by his talented group, which consists of the following personnel: Charles Benfield - double bass; Will Greener - harmonica; Josienne Clarke - vocals; Ben Walker - mandolin, Ed Hopwood - drums; Guy Bennett - keyboards.

Each member is given time and space to play to their strengths. Check out the harmonica on Your Second Line, the bass on Big Mary's House, mandolin on Hard Times Now, Josienne's lead vocals on Floatin' Around...well, just listen to all of it and have fun picking out the key moments for each instrument. Mark's guitars are the glue holding the various musical elements together; the hooks and riffs draw listeners into the world of the song and the intriguing, original lyrics hold them there as each narrative unfolds.

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The album presents a world of shady neighbourhood threats, escalating troubles leading to panic attacks and the closing comment, ''It was hard times then and it sure is hard times now...'' Yet like all the best blues, it gives a sweet side to counter and contrast with the bitter.

I enjoyed Crooked Smile but The World Outside represents a step further for Mark and his individual, original style. It's good know that in a world which sometimes seems to be filling up with manufactured bands and conveyor belt pop, people are still out there making real music and crafting real songs.

Follow Mark's news and tour dates over at his official website.

Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

The Sage, Gateshead

3.3.2014

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac rocked The Sage earlier this week, with an inspirational showcase of songs from every phase of Fleetwood Mac's back catalogue. Last year, of course, we saw the real thing so I was interested in seeing what sort of impact a tribute band could have in comparison.

A video clip of Mick Fleetwood, adding his generous support to the band, granted the proceedings  a significant degree of authenticity.

Visually, some of the band look a little bit like Fleetwood Mac if seen from a distance. The two stand-out look-alikes are undoubtedly Louise Rogan and Amanda Kostadinov as Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie respectively.

Musically, everyone was on top form as they delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance lasting around two and a half hours (not even counting the 20 minute interval).

The second half started with 40 minutes of blues, from the early years of Fleetwood Mac. This change of pace - sandwiched between two large slices of tracks from the classic years - worked very well indeed.

The songs of Fleetwood Mac continue to deliver an emotional impact (the lady sitting next to me broke into tears a couple of times and I'm sure she wasn't the only one).

All in all, it was a very impressive concert offering a fabulous tribute to the real Fleetwood Mac.

Follow the Rumours news and tour dates over at their official website.

Buddy

Buddy

Civic Theatre, Darlington

1.3.2014

Buddy is a musical extravaganza, telling the extraordinary story of a Texan determined to make his mark on the world with wonderful songs and their new, edgy sound. ''I just want the world to remember the name Buddy Holly,'' he said. Well, how could we ever forget it?

Buddy runs briskly through the story of our hero's short life with a perfect combination of play and concert. Buddy Holly knew exactly what he wanted to achieve and didn't show any desire to compromise. Rock 'n' Roll was controversial when he dragged the genre, kicking and screaming, into the doubting world. The show starts with Rose of Texas being blasted to one side by Buddy Holly and The Crickets unleashing Rip It Up, much to the consternation of a local radio station.

The play aspects of the show does enough to inform the audience of the salient points of Buddy's life without outstaying their welcome. However, it is the concert parts that really bring the whole thing to life. To hear the likes of That'll Be The Day, Not Fade Away and Well Alright blasted out at a high tempo, with the full band really going for it, is a real treat. Even now, all these years later, the songs still possess a vibrancy and potency that simply cannot be ignored. The show does a fantastic job of bringing across a sense of real excitement.

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Things shift up to another level altogether when the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens join the fun, with their respective trademark songs - Chantilly Lace and La Bamba - adding significantly to the excitement. Tragically, of course, the plane flying the terrific triumvirate away at the end of the show crashed, with no survivors. Buddy handles the tragedy with great sensitivity. The show looks to be over, but a final, dramatic rock-out (Johnny B Goode!) makes absolutely sure the audience leaves the theatre on a substantial high.

Buddy Holly achieved far more in a year and a half than most people can ever hope to achieve in their entire lifetime. His legacy lives on in the work of many others. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and a whole host of other cats freely admit to Buddy's influence on their own music.

Fans of Rock 'n' Roll in general and Buddy Holly in particular must see this show. Rave On, folks!

For the latest news and tour dates, head for the Buddy website.