Oswestry Music Live 2006 - Big Town Playboys,Libby Gliksman,Lisa Mills,Seven Days To Sunday,Blindsyde,Strange Fish,Helen Boulding,Jamie Terrill,Simon Ark,Mark Hayward,Catrin Jones Live Review @ Cae Glas Park (Shropshire) - 09 Jul 2006
Photos:Elly Roberts
Live Review
Despite the massive competition – World Cup Final and Wimbledon Men’s Final – another bumper crowd turned out at Oswestry Music Live 2006. With storm clouds looming from midday, it was touch and go whether last year’s attendance would be repeated – it was. Once again it proved to be a great day out for all ages. Thankfully for the organisers, only intermittent light showers fell, posing no problems for the crowd’s enjoyment of the top class entertainment. The main stage hosted both established and up -and -coming performers, beginning with stalwarts The Gatecrashers and their pulsating set, featuring a stunning cover The Who’s Substitute, setting the tone for the rest of the day.
Lanfyllin quartet Vendetta comprise of three 15 year olds and a 14 year old drummer Joey Chetwood. Playing a mix of originals – Move, Roots Radicals, Waiting Around from their self-titled album, and covers, they improved as the set wore on, with superb interpretations of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love and Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile. Star musician was guitarist Jamie Terrill who played out of his skin, and well beyond his tender years.
Knocking on the big time is Yorkshire lass, 27 year-old blonde Helen Boulding, who’s debut single What A Fool released July 31, featured on Capital Radio, has recently done sessions for Bob Harris and Janice Long on BBC Radio. Keyboard-player Helen is in the classic British singer-songwriter mould, who’s in the business for the long run. Her six song set and dulcet tones were mesmerising. Next single Copenhagen is out in September.
Attracting massive attention in Germany and UK is Manchester’s Strangefish, who’ve shifted 500 copies of their Oswestry recorded album Fortune Telling in Germany already. Together for six years, the quintet is now being compared with Genesis and other Prog-Rockers, with anthemic tracks Wallflower and Have You Seen The Light getting a huge reaction from the crowd. Stand-in bassist Rick Bridge did a superb job. Charismatic frontman Steve Taylor held court in majestic fashion, leading his troops through a spellbinding four song set.
Catch the band at Summer’s End Festival at Robin 2 Wolverhampton on September 29.
Most improved act of the event was local heroes Blindsyde, (Chicago Rock Café UK finalists ), who have progressed beyond belief in the past year. Their music has matured immensely. There’s more sonic experimentation, complete with new guitarist Paul Smith and the use of the ‘forgotten Wah Wah’, which beefed up a set worthy of a ‘stadium act’ of the future. Opening with rip-roaring licks on Wake Up, they stormed through a tight and professional six-song set, closing with funky baselines and more Wah Wah lashings on I Belong. www.blindsyde.co.uk
Other local act Seven Days To Sunday proved they can give and excellent set too, mixing covers ( The Killers / Yellowcard ) and originals, with Rob Quinn stealing the show on keys-lead ballad After Everything.
Red -hot American rockers Blanco Diablo from Charlotte, North Carolina, influenced by classic rockers Jimmy Page (Led Zep ), Ritchie Blackmore, Gary More, and Marc Bolan gave a blistering set of six tracks ( raucous licks and riffs aplenty by fire-fingers Jamie Ray ) highlighted on What Do Me from their new album Paper Poison Revolution and T.Rex’s 20th Century Boy. The trio, who are getting acclaimed reviews, have all the makings of a top band.
Back for a second year, American Lisa Mills, accompanied again by BTPB bassist Ian Jennings, left the crowd stunned with her achingly beautiful blues vocals. Her deft finger work, playing a recently purchased 1947 Epiphone Arctop guitar was the icing on the cake for a lady who is a match for compatriot Bonnie Raitt any day.
On the up is local 18 year-old Libby Gliksman, who is now on course for a French degree at John Moores University Liverpool. Giving a very mature performance, Libby belted out standards : Cry Me A River, Fever, through to Sandi Thom’s chart topper I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker. Vocal highlight was a sublime Dream A Little Dream, where she showed her range and class.
Penultimate main stage act and festival favourites, A Little Bit Of Chaos from Wrexham, gave a predictably polished performance. Lead by charismatic frontman Paul Sturman, the quartet stormed through covers – America’s Horse With No Name, Crowded House’s Weather With You, The Who’s Squeeze Box and originals Little Bit Of Time and Somebody Else’s Somebody, as always, featuring some stunning lead guitar by Amos Cooper.
Catch them at Fat Cat Café Bar, Wrexham Bus Station, King Street, Wrexham on Thursday 20 July, 8.30pm. Free entry. 01978-266791.
Headliners, Big Town Play Boys lead by cool main-man Chad Strentz rounded -off a thrilling selection of festival styles with an hour’s romp through standards by Ray Charles – Mess Around, Freddie King – Tears On Your Letter, Tore Down, – Tom Waits – Down In The Hole and closing with guest singer Lisa Mils on Charles’ classic, Hit The Road Jack.
On the acoustic stage acts included Catrin Jones from St.Asaph, who gave a masterclass in singing technique, strolling through covers, including Gnarls Barkley’s hit Crazy, and Green Day’s Wake Me Up When September Ends.
Contact Catrin at cosmicat55@hotmail.com / 07971162920 / 01745-730047.
Mark Hayward, based in Grove Oxfordshire, filled in superbly with some achingly beautiful songs by Radiohead, Tom Petty and a daring version Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.
Multi -talented Simon Ark chose to cover the greats in his inimitable style– Leadbelly’s Midnight Special, Robert Johnson’s Crossroads and J.L.Hooker’s Crawling Kingsnake.
The event closed once again with Porthywaen Silver Band followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
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