John Mackie at Eagle Inn, 25 January 2014

09 March 2014 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , , ,

 

John Mackie - Eagle Inn

still from manchestertaper’s video recording

After releasing his single 9.5 grams a few months previous, we caught up with John Mackie at the newly refurbished Eagle Inn in Salford. The hollowed out terrace made an appropriate host for the evening, put on by Your Manchester, and provided the laid back atmosphere you could only expect from a gig in a living room.

Mackie began his set accompanied by only his acoustic and the occasional melancholy harmonica, with John admitting that the majority of his songs come from troubled times. Strong vocals and honest lyrics give a personal depth and familiarity, while the Fab Radio DJ maintains a cool and confident stage presence.

After a well fitting cover of Johnny Cash’s Man in Black, he is joined by a more upbeat line up of Dave Smythe, Karl Hand and Paul Griffin on bass, electric guitar and cajon. The Glasgow born artist mixes elements of folk, pop and blues, and despite his Scottish roots, gives a heavy nod to his Manchester influences.

Whether playing solo or backed by a band, Mackie gives a performance to hush even the most enthusiastic of audiences.

Stream “Do I Wait?:

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Setlist:

Take it or Leave it
Disappear
Do I Wait
Blue Eyes
Man in Black
9 ½ grams
Roadrunner
Lost & Found
Faces
Holy Water

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the artist by buying their records and attending their gigs. John Mackie hosts a weekly show on Manchester’s Fab Radio International and his Soundcloud is here.

Stefan Melbourne at Castle Hotel, 23th September 2013

02 February 2014 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , ,

 

Stefan Melbourne - Castle Hotel

still from manchestertaper’s video recording

With a UK tour pending and new EP awaiting release, it seems that now would be an appropriate time to dig Stefan Melbourne’s first ever headline gig out of our 2013 backlog…

We’d long anticipated this set after catching Manchester-based Stefan supporting Jesca Hoop at the Cornerhouse a couple of years earlier. Accompanied only by his own guitar and the crystalline vocals of Chloe Leavers, Stefan’s songwriting mines a dark seam of hard-luck stories that often seems at odds with his unassuming stage persona.

In a scene awash with bearded wannabe troubadours, his work might invite superficial comparison to the likes of Ryan Adams or Damien Rice but, for my money, a better point of reference would be Paul Westerberg: songs of almost unbearable gravitas dressed in irresistible melodies and delivered with a wry, rueful smile.

But you can make your own mind up about that. We present here the entire set recorded at the Castle both as audio and video. Many thanks to Chris and all at Red Balloon as well as Lucinda for the always immaculate sound.

Stream “Castaway”:

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Setlist:

Don’t Let Me Go
How Long Is Always
Bide Your Time
Before The Sunsets
Castaway
A Clearing That I Call Goodbye
Landslide
These Walls
Something Of Mine
The Ballad of JoJo Burn

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the artist by buying their records and attending their gigs. Stefan Melbourne’s official website is here and his Soundcloud is here.

Danny George Wilson at Castle Hotel, 6th September 2012

29 August 2013 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , , , , ,

 

Danny George Wilson - Castle Hotel

photo by manchestertaper

It’s been a bit quiet on the website front for us over recent months but rest assured that the Manchestertaper team have been beavering away, amassing many hours of quality live music which is just crying out to be shared…

We begin with a dip into the vaults: can it really be nearly 12 months since Danny & the Champions of the World’s Danny George Wilson played a blinding solo gig for House of Cards Promotions at the Castle? Ably supported by Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou (whose set we hope to share with you soon) and Manchester’s own Mog Stanley, Wilson played a taut, intense set that served to strip back the Danny and the Champions material and allow his tersely beautiful lyricism to shine.

Some dashes of gruff Antipodean humour and a singalong of Dancing in the Dark lightened the mood somewhat but could not detract from the scorched, highly personal songs at the core of this performance. Most of those in attendance were clearly fanatics, familiar with every word. Hopefully this recording will win some converts to a distinctive and arresting talent.

Thanks, as always, to Mike and Kellie and all at the Castle for another great gig.

Stream “Old Soul”:

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Setlist:

Restless Feet
Follow the River > Dancing in the Dark
Beauty in this Town
Track 40’s Gone
Old Soul
Henry the Van
Every Beat of my Heart
Red Tree Song
The Truest Kind
Still Believe
These Days

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs. Danny & the Champions of the World’s official website is here and their current album can be purchased here.

Frazer King at Night & Day Café, 10 November 2012

15 December 2012 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , ,

Detail from gig poster courtesy of Frazer King

The group of young scallywags pictured above is, obviously, not up-and-coming Wythenshawe band Frazer King, although it is an image they are happy to portray to the world at large.  And it is this rough-and-ready image I fell for when I first saw the band play live, back in March, at the Frankfest 2012 fundraiser.  “Just what the world needs,” I thought, as Nathan McIlroy staggered around the stage, a can of lager gripped tightly in his fist, “Another bunch of Professional Mancunians.”

But delve a little deeper into the world of Frazer King and you will find a warmth and intelligence lacking in many of their parka-clad brethren of this fair city.  McIlroy may be outspoken, but he actually has something to say, and is capable of saying it articulately, both in interviews and through his lyrics.

Musically, too, Frazer King are streets ahead of other, more one-dimensional, outfits.  The six-piece embrace everything from indie to doo-wop to polka to God-knows-what.  It shouldn’t work, but, like their hero Frank Zappa, it somehow holds together through skilled musicianship and sheer force of personality.

Under the tutelage of James guitarist Larry Gott, Fraz Kinky, as they refer to themselves, have sharpened up their act in preparation for their debut album and wider, national attention.  The days of shambolic, drunken live performances are behind them, and it showed at their recent Night & Day gig, presented here for your enjoyment.  There is a confidence, beyond mere posturing, growing within the band, which makes us at Manchester Taper believe they are on the cusp of greatness.  The emphasis now is on Professional, rather than Mancunian, and we can’t wait to see where that attitude takes them.

Stream “Showtune from 42nd Street”:

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Setlist:

Glorified Hymn
Cockroach
Showtune from 42nd Street
Faith in the Community
Military Wives
War Song
Funnybones
Eunuch Growl
Mother Mary
Sunday’s Shame
Sail a Boat
Pea Factory

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs.  Frazer King’s official website is here and their Idle Class Debris mixtape can be purchased here.

Richard Hawley at Academy 1, 26 September 2012

21 October 2012 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , , ,

 

Richard Hawley - Manchester Academy

photo by manchestertaper

Richard Hawley needs no introduction here. The Longpigs, Pulp, high profile session duties and career-reinvigorating production work are mere asides to his majestic solo work.

Seventh album “Standing at the Sky’s Edge” sees Hawley immerse himself in intoxicating, swirling psychedelia, something of a detour from the classicism of his first releases and the glacial poise of 2009’s astonishing Truelove’s Gutter. We knew his Academy set would lean heavily on the latest LP and Richard and his dependably fantastic band did not disappoint. We were treated to expansive performances of most of the new material plus a smattering of older songs, although nothing pre-dating 2005’s breakthrough Coles Corner.

Not much more to say really. It’s Richard Hawley and the best live band in the UK: if you can’t find something to love here, you probably just don’t like music.

A few photos from the gig are on our Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manchestertaper/

Stream “Standing at the Sky’s Edge”:

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Setlist:

Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Don’t Stare at the Sun
Hotel Room
Tonight, the Streets are Ours
Seek It
Soldier On
Leave Your Body Behind You
Before
Open Up Your Door
Remorse Code
Time Will Bring You Winter
Lady Solitude
The Ocean

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs.  Richard Hawley’s official website is here and his current album can be purchased here.

Pablo’s Finest Hour at the Deaf Institute, 31 May 2012

23 July 2012 by · 2 comments · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , ,

photo by manchestertaper

Sometimes it seems that merely mentioning a band’s name out loud condemns one to a never-ending barrage of messages and tweets via every conceivable medium, keeping you up to date with the minutiae of their movements. Sign up for notifications of live dates and you’ll soon have enough material in your inbox to write a passable biography. It is refreshing then to be greeted by such a dearth of information when looking for some background on Manchester duo Pablo’s Finest Hour.

Aside from a spartan Facebook page and a neglected Myspace site all we have to go on are some sadly under-annotated YouTube videos. But there is considerable eloquence in this unassuming approach, with Simon and Hannah content to let their gentle but wryly perceptive songs stand on their own.

We saw them for the first time supporting Gideon Conn at his recent album launch and they set the scene for him perfectly: despite having to go out in front of a packed and partisan audience, PFH played a compact, crowd-pleasing set couched in self-effacing banter that belied the accomplished songcraft on display.

They won us over and we hope to feature them again soon. Follow the links below to check out one of Manchester’s best-kept secrets.

Stream “My Heart’s Just Not in It”:

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Setlist:

Forever Restless
Lazybones
My Heart’s Just Not in It
For Hours
Tiny Splendour
Set in Stone
World Keeps Turning

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs.  Pablo’s Finest Hour’s Facebook fan page is here.

Gideon Conn at the Deaf Institute, 31 May 2012

14 July 2012 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , ,

Photo by manchestertaper

Having spent Gideon Conn’s formative years on the Manchester singer-songwriter scene living on the other side of the planet, I must confess ignorance of him before this night.  The only information I am armed with as I enter my favourite venue in town is that Conn is “eccentric”.  So is Tom Cruise, I silently ponder.

The opening number is an amusing little ditty about a hard-working fishmonger, quietly strummed by a solo Conn.  It’s a fun lyric, but I’m not yet convinced.  With his ironic trucker cap and mannered speaking voice, one can’t help but wonder if all this isn’t just a hipster put-on.

All fears are soon assuaged as the band takes the stage and begin kicking out a funky rhythm.  Conn launches into a hip-hop vocal and before I know it he’s in the audience, dancing like your kid brother who’s drunk too much Buck’s Fizz at a family wedding.

“Quite early for me to go downstairs,” he announces with a cheeky grin.  I’m officially converted.

What follows is, indeed, eccentric, and often amusing.  Conn is far from being a comedy act, however.  More he’s Manchester’s answer to Jonathan Richman, with all the wide-eyed joy that tag implies.  I can’t remember the last time I smiled so much at a gig.

Musically, Conn and his band are all over the map, switching effortlessly from gentle ballad to soul and beyond.  Guest vocalist Josephine Oniyama is a particular highlight, her warm tones bringing an extra dimension to “Colours” and “Raise the Bar”.  And for the funk nerds out there, there’s even a cover of Archie Bell & the Drells’ 1968 hit “Tighten Up”.  Clearly, Gideon Conn knows his onions as well as his fish.

Stream “State of the Nation”:

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Setlist:

The Man Who Drives Around Selling Fish
I Want You Around
Mighty Lightning
Wildfire
Carcenogenics
Read the Signs
Colours
Take It All
Fall Under Tokyo
Trademark
Our Future
Tighten Up
Real Life
Raise the Bar
State of the Nation
Inside

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs.  Gideon Conn’s official website is here and his current album can be purchased here.

Paul Thomas Saunders at St Philips, 6 May 2012

05 July 2012 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , ,
photograph courtesy of Julia

Until the previous night, Paul Thomas Saunders was unknown to us. SFTOC had only just published the running times for the day, and we were working our way through the list of bands on the SFTOC website, meticulously listening to all the bandcamp etc links, trying to plan the day ahead. It was a long evening. Most of the links got at most a cursory listen, until we got to PTS. In the end we had to tear ourselves away, and force ourselves to carry on working through the list.

In other words, this was a must-see.

By way of background, the St. Philips lineup was curated by our friends at Hey! Manchester, who by and large have impeccable taste in music. In the end, we arrived early, the entire festival was running a little behind schedule, and we ended up staying longer than initially planned. It was an evening of beautiful music, and to this writers ears, PTS was the absolute pinnacle.

The band came onstage, and at first it seemed shambolic; but soundchecking seamlessly segued into Santa Muerte’s lightning & flare, which brought to mind Submarine’s debut album albeit slightly less frenetic.The use of both regular and distorting microphones was a nice touch (a technique used effectively by Damien Rice amongst others).

Paul cut a slightly nervous figure, berating us for having cans of beer in church. His lyrics belie his youth – Appointment in Samarra detailing a breakup (“make no future plans / sever every bound that binds us”) and The trail remains unseen about exorcising the past (“as the fields turn to coast / let the water scare away all of your ghosts / of the girls you held at seventeen”).

We are pleased with this recording, and can’t wait til Paul is playing headline slots. We hope you agree.

Stream “The trail remains unseen”:

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Setlist:
Santa Muerte’s lightning & flare
Appointment in Samarra
Good times rags and requiems
Let the carousel display you & I
The trail remains unseen
A lunar veteran’s guide to re-entry
??

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs. Paul’s official website is here and his music can be purchased here.

Liz Green at Deaf Institute, 5 April 2012

09 June 2012 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: ,
Liz Green at Deaf Institute 2012-04-05
photo courtesy of Hey! Manchester

A lot has been written about Liz Green; mostly focusing on her quirkiness, eccentricity even, and how she’s been slowly gaining traction in her home of Manchester.

The latter is certainly true – Liz has been on the collective manchestertaper radar for only a little while, and it was only by good fortune that we were here at tonight’s show.  The venue was absolutely packed, much to Liz’s genuine surprise (“wowsers!  I told them that this venue was far too big!”).

To some extent the former is also true – no-one could accuse Liz of being conventional, although from tonight’s set it is obvious she is not being deliberately obtuse, merely it’s just how she is.  Liz gave us an insight into her formative influences with her opening cover of Son House’s Grinnin’ In Your Face, working her way from blues through light jazz to folk.

It was a mesmerising evening, and we look forward to catching Liz again in the future.  Special thanks to Howard for helping facilitate this recording; we hope you enjoy it!

Stream “Midnight blues”:

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Setlist:
Grinnin’ in your face
Help the aged
Come into my arms
Midnight blues
Luis
Rybka
Hey Joe
Who killed cock robin?
[new song]
The quiet
Displacement song
Rag & bone
Bad medicine
French singer
Gallows

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs. Liz’s official website is here and O, Devotion! can be purchased here.

Arthur Rigby & the Baskervylles at Deaf Institute, 20 April 2012

02 June 2012 by · Write a comment · Categories: manchestertaper · Tags: , , ,
Arthur Rigby & the Baskervylles, Deaf Institute
photo by manchestertaper

“Orchestral pop” as a descriptor can cover a multitude of sins and is usually shorthand for an approach that involves smearing unimaginative arrangements over uninspired songs in the hope of obscuring the mediocrity at their core. So Manchestertaper didn’t know quite what to expect when the Baskervylles (and their fictitious Arthur Rigby) brought their 5-piece line-up to the Deaf Institute to support the magnificent Miserable Rich last month.

We needn’t have worried. The band sweep and swagger between arrangements that can be sparse and stark or full-bodied and infused with high drama but which, crucially, never detract from the vital songs that they envelope.

Benjamin Hatfield’s voice is an instrument of rare power and subtlety: soaring but never overwhelming and pleasingly at odds with his unassuming plaid-shirt-and-beard image. But it would be unfair to single out any band member for special praise here: performances like these exist on a knife-edge and require each performer to be perfectly attuned both to the song and their fellow musicians. We think they acquit themselves admirably – have a listen to their eight-song set and decide for yourself.

Stream “While Away”:

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Download complete show in mp3 format (click here)

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Setlist:

While Away
Spies
Moonlit Strangers
Ode to Gog
Fly Far Away
Nine Silver Rings
Follow
White Houses

If you download and enjoy this music we would fully expect you to support the band by buying their records and attending their gigs. Arthur Rigby & the Baskervylles’ official website is here and their current EP can be purchased here.

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