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So what
did you do on the night war broke out? Along with a big crowd of others,
I went to the Charlotte in Leicester to see the Bluetones, to see
if they could chase my blues away.
They
did! And so did the support band Ricky. They’re all so young
and fresh faced, I suppose they could literally (but wrongly) be
described as a boy band, but these are good and so is their music.
They are from Portsmouth, but their music is sheer West Coast States
harmony and mellow sounds with a contemporary twist.
Think the Byrds, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, and you’ve got
some idea of their influences, but their own material is fresh.
And I was very impressed with the quality of their voices , with
not a note out of key. "Maybe together" from their first
single stood out for me and the next single "Better when you’ve
gone" should do well if there is any justice in the world.
But there obviously isn’t because these guys are not even signed
to a major recording company. They should be.
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| Ricky
supported the Bluetones - picture Lucy Blair. |
The
Bluetones have left Mercury their recording company, and are now
in control of their own destiny.
Their performance was a mixture of the old and well loved songs
such as "Can’t be trusted" which got all the bums
ion the audience twitching and swaying, plus that cheery little
number "Home fires burning".
New stuff from the forthcoming "Luxembourg" album included
"Fast boy", the single out on April 21 and was well received
by the audience.
The
Bluetones specialise in tightly written songs with a driving beat
which they do well, but I wish they would do more songs like "Sleazy
bed track".
This suited lead singer Mark Morris’s voice so well and showed
he’s capable of a greater depth and passion.
He’s also got a nice line in patter ,and he’s a singer
who plays to the crowd, with his eyes as well as his body language.
For the audience the best song of the night gave them their chance
to sing along with their heroes, Blue Tonic, but for me , the number
which I will remember was "Code Blue."
Written as a sarcastic commentary on war a couple of years ago,
there was a terrible poignancy as the Bluetones played it, and the
realisation that reality was waiting outside the Charlotte’s
doors...
Bridget Blair
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