It was a hot and wild night at the Beaverwood Club, Chislehurst, when American guitar hero Ryan McGarvey flew into town and into action. Backed by a powerful rhythm section, the charismatic performer sang and played a selection of songs from his album 'The Road Chosen'. He simultaneously entranced, and partially deafened a crowd of his most loyal British fans, who clapped and cheered every stomping, blues
RADIO 3 JAZZ JAMS One of the best jazz record programmes on air is Geoffrey Smith's 'Jazz' on BBC Radio 3. Tune in at midnight on Saturdays to be treated to a succession of profiles of some of the finest performers from the golden age of swing to bop. Most recent was a show devoted to the recordings made by Billie Holiday and Lester Young
Wailing at the Pizza Express When Pete Lemer recorded Local Colour in 1966 he could hardly have believed it would be celebrated 52 years later with the re-release of his critically acclaimed album and a triumphant ‘live’ performance. Yet, when Peter sat at the Steinway grand on stage at the Pizza Express jazz club on a cold February night, (21/02/18) he was warmed by the
"It's getting rather monotonous to say that Jon Hiseman played the greatest drum solo of his career at Colosseum’s last gig. But the music Jon played on drums at the Lyceum, London on Sunday, was breathtaking. It may be unfair to single out the drum solo from a long concert of brilliant band playing, but Jon’s performance was unique. From the construction point of view
Sad to see the demise of the New Musical Express in its print edition, the last one appearing on March 9th 2018. By coincidence The Raver recently acquired a copy of their 10th Anniversary Souvenir Book, full of fascinating fax’n’info, as sub-editors used to proudly boast. Our diligent research reveals the first issue appeared on March 7, 1952, edited by Ray Sonin, a former Melody
The group combines the talents of former Humble Pie guitar supremo Clem Clempson, bass player and singer Mark Clarke and drummer extraordinaire Jon Hiseman. All former members of Colosseum, their debut album Heroes is released by Repertoire in April on vinyl and CD and has already been hailed by critics as ‘amazing.’ They are off on tour soon, so check out dates and details on
Drama or music? Bromley High Street used to boast a cosy venue called the Little Theatre, that earnestly put on plays by Arnold Wesker and Harold Pinter. The much grander Churchill Theatre that was its replacement, is still an important venue for theatrical productions. But apart from Dicken’s Great Expectations, most of 2018’s line up of shows are Retro music orientated. Pause for breath. They
This band played a superb blend of classic Ellington tunes like Rockin’ In Rhythm, East St.Louis Toodle Oo and C Jam Blues on their recent U.K tour and included a fine rendition of Miles Davis’ All Blues. Biggest surprise came when they dropped the banjo, switched to electric guitar and rocked out on Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee’s Corn Bread and Black Molasses. Great drumming
