Rock of Ages Radio Show

Fuschi4 may sound like a musical enigma to the unenlightened, however in truth this funk/blues band have carved a distinctive niche with their first ‘full blooded’ CD album release, which augurs well for this Manchester based combo. The band have utilised their musical mastery very wisely to produce a superior collection of eclectic and diversely entertaining tracks.

The album opens up with “Sinner” a gritty mid tempo funk/blues song which typifies Fuschi4’s sound with bassist David Lloyd riding his own groove as only he can. “It’s Getting Warmer” is a laid back soul inspired musical ditty contrasted completely by the next track, a ZZ Top inspired uptempo version of “The Hunter”, a song more closely associated with Free. Moanin’ & Groanin’ is more of a medium fare blues/rock track with some excellent atmospheric vocals and keyboards at the rear of the mix

Undoubtedly the ‘pièce de résistance’ on this album is a wonderfully crafted song called “My Salvation”. This is an extremely soulful reggae stylised track which carries all the hallmarks of a talented songwriter in the form of guitarist & band leader  Paolo Fuschi, whose musical compositions are all permeated with passion, pathos and heartfelt lyrical content. “My Salvation” is reminiscent in feel to early Terence Trent D’Arby, but comparisons aside this track should be earmarked for further promotion as a single release due to its strong commercial appeal.

“Can’t Hold Out” is a fine example of the bands approach to blues composition, containing some sensitive slide guitar passages which is the icing on the cake, whereas “Sugar Free” is an additive free ‘souped up’ soul funkster bash, perfect groove fodder for David Lloyd’s bass riffs and licks.  

In summary this is an engaging, entertaining album which has elements of funk, blues, soul, rock & reggae offering the listener a true fusion of all those genres. The addition of Tim Moscrop on second guitar and new drummer Adam Dawson has given the band an extra depth and subtlety to their music.  As one would always hope, this album has exceeded all my expectations with vibrant vocalisations, quality songs and a natural musical chemistry which makes this album such a total and refreshing listening experience.

 Fucschi4 have arrived at ‘The Crossroads’ and it’s green for go!  Bravissimo!!

 Song samples on  http://soundcloud.com/fuschi4

“The Rock of Ages Radio Show” is my dedication to great musicians past and present who like myself also went through a ‘pain barrier’ of rejection and indifference to deliver ‘ground breaking’ musical triumphs which continue to reverberate to this day, they are the catalysts for others who have followed in their footsteps.

   “We are the Music Makers’ we are the ‘Dreamers of Dreams”

For further details about the show please contact Lucas Campbell at Twosome Productions UK email rockintheblues@btinternet.com

Only three tracks here but they are all a glowing testament to the strength, passion and commitment that reverberates through this Merseyside blues ensemble. Whether Forty 4 are in a ‘live’ situation or in the studio, their performances ooze class and sophistication which immediately engages the listener to listen more intently to their great interpretation of standards, or their own self penned creations which are performed with equal aplomb.

This EP contains one ‘orginal’ song “Just One Good Cause” which opens proceedings nicely, best described as a mid tempo blues shuffle and is totally indicative of the bands ability to make this sound like a ‘oldie’ from the vaults which they have updated in their own idiom, therein lies one of this bands great strengths, a totally authentic sound.

Neil Partington is gifted with exactly the right vocal chords to exhort the power of the blues upon those who are not already converts to his natural guttural vocal intonations. This is apparent throughout the two cover tracks too which are more than competent versions of the Ray Charles song “I Don’t Need No Doctor” and an inspired version of the blues standard Forty-Four from which the band have derived their name. The latter contains some very sensualized and sensitive guitar passages by Paul Starkey, which is a welcome change from much of the soulless cliched blues licks that most guitarists can be guilty of.

The keyboards played by Glen Lewis are used sparingly and are reminiscent in style and sound to the early British blues boom outfits of the sixties. The killer punch of this band is the ’skin tight’ rhythm section driven by Steve Brown on bass and Nick Lauro on drums who provide the ultimate musical backdrop for the band to power forward.

It’s well worth checking this band out they are ‘live’ at BJ’s, The Hop Pocket, Chorley this coming Thursday 7th April at 9.30pm. They are superb musicians who deserve recognition for their dedication, talent, true grit and determination to make their mark! Long Live Forty 4!!

ps “Whitewood” CD’s should be on sale at the gig.

http://www.facebook.com/scarygoodmusic?sk=info

 The Hop Pocket was filled to capacity with in excess of over two hundred blues and ‘live’ music fans clamouring for great performances from the six fine bands and acts who had been selected to appear in The Northern Heats of The New Brunswick Battle of The Blues.

The first band to hit the stage were the Mighty Revelators from Bury who opened up their set with some uptempo blues/swing numbers which they delivered with some stylish and complementary guitar work from Rick Lucas and Mark Hopkins. In-spite of some initial teething problems with one of the mics the band soon stepped up into top gear and really proved why they had been chosen for this competition, living up to their reputation as an emerging ‘tour de force’ on the North West Blues circuit.

The second act to take the stage was Burnley chanteuse Lucy Zirins tipped by many for greater things. It was hard to believe that someone of eighteen years of age could sing the blues and captivate the audience with convincing interpretations of such blues standards as “Death Letter Blues”. Surprisingly it was Miss Zirins own material which was outstanding and bore the hallmarks of a first class songwriter who is developing her own engaging musical style. Sensitive guitar work and superior complimentay vocals won the hearts of the audience, but above all her stagecraft and natural rapport with the audience made this a memorable performance.

The Revenues were the next to ‘hit the boards’ and gave us a shot in arm of high energy R & B and were reminiscent in style to the early Yardbirds. This young band were undoubtedly one of the great musical revelations of the evening and performed some inspired original compositions which had pace and conviction sung with great guttural vocalisations by guitarist Joss Owen who drives the band hard with his infectious hard drinking carousings of youth. Their music has an immediacy full of boundless energy that delivers the goods, these boys are certainly a band to watch out for.

Lee Bates & Billy Newton were next to entertain, and that’s exactly what they did. This North East acoustic duo have been great ambassadors for the blues for many years. Lee Bates plays resonator and acoustic guitars and sings, accompanied by Billy Newton who plays harmonica to great effect. Lee Bates has a natural connection with an audience and is extremely adept as a raconteur introducing his songs and engaging the audience with gritty Geordie humour which was evident from the outset. One of the highlights was Brampton Blues a self composition based on the trials and tribulations of performing musicians. This duo are a great credit to themselves and the music they make and impressed us with their performance, their determination to be true to the blues, and above all a self belief in themselves as performers.

Chris James was the penultimate act to take the stage and is another seasoned blues singer and acoustic slide player who shouted class from his very first chord. Mr James is a superb guitarist with an equally distinguished and memorable voice to match. There were some very able ‘blues covers’ but once again it was his own self penned songs that won the audiences unwavering attention. There is a great sincerity in this artist’s music which makes him stand out from the crowd and this obviously stuck a chord with the competiton judges also.  

The Mark Thornley Band were the last band to take up position centre stage lifting off with a blistering powerhouse blues/rock set of three hand picked pieces of musical mastery which reminded everyone what a consistently dynamic outfit they have been over the last few years. Mark Thornley is the archetypal all action ‘guitar’ hero who somehow pushes his performance well beyond the known boundaries, becoming a musical demigod locked in mortal combat slaying his demons with every known guitar convulsion and sustained string bend in the book and a many that are not!  A truly stunning performance from this power trio which was a befitting grand finale to a fabulous evening of entertainment from the ‘creme de la creme’ of blues acts in the North of England.

The Competition Judges were always going to have difficult choices to make.

The judges for this heat were Lisa Gagnon who was representing New Brunswick Tourism. Mark Olly TV Presenter of “Lost Treasures” and Neil Aspinall local musician & educational music teacher.

The winner was announced at 10.30 by competition organisers Lee George and Lisa Gagnon.

Chris James was chosen by the judges to be the winning act with The Revenues and The Mark Thornley Band as runners up.

Chris James will now appear in the final at the legendary 100 Club in London on the 29th March.

The runners up will go to an online public voting system on  http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk/ 

This event ranks as one of the most successful and enjoyable musical evenings I have ever been involved with and my personal thanks and admiration goes out to everyone who was involved in the Northern Heats. In particular a great debt of gratitude is owed to Lee George and Lisa Gagnon for giving these musicians a platform and the exposure they so rightly deserve.

My special thanks and appreciation to everyone who turned up on the night and supported the musicians in our quest in “Keeping Live Music Live” at BJ’s.

Lucas Campbell