Some Velvet Morning
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2 YORKSHIRE EVENING POST SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 2009 24 seven inside... music Taverner 4 Simon Jenkins enjoys a he says. “That was half-conscious, half NO RULES: just having more fun. The last couple of good grilling at Angel’s pop songs that I wrote for the album were Share Jon Lawler and Lou done there – one made it on to the and Lou record, the other didn’t. I was a little bit Walking 5 duncan seaman Hickey conscious of trying to find something to Frank Wilkinson finds a write about. That probably won’t ever serene green oasis near ITH his Brit award- happen again but there was something Doncaster winning band The about tapping into that place that made sense.” Fratellis “officially Another of the songs on the album, I Gardening 6 on its holidays”, The secret life of leaves W Would Send You Roses, was salvaged singer Jon Lawler could be for- from an aborted collaboration with Books 7 given for kicking back and relax- Roger Daltrey. “He had suggested one of the times that we met that we should The latest titles reviewed ing. do some stuff together,” Jon explains. But not a bit of it. This month the “Once I got over the state of shock of Travel 8&9 Glaswegian re-emerges with his new him saying that I went home and got to Sisters on the slopes group Codeine Velvet Club and an work on a couple of things, one of which entirely new sound, homaging the was I Would Send You Roses. But it Take a break 10 orchestral pop on the 1960s. never happened. It meant we were able Puzzles and your stars CVC are are essentially a duo, featuring to use it for this. It’s good, it breaks up 30-year-old Jon and his fellow Scot, the the album nicely. It’s a complete blast burlesque singer Lou Hickey. They were when we play it live.” paired up by Jon’s wife, initially to help Now the band are readying themselves out with a song for her friend Lou’s next for their first tour (which calls at the tvguide solo album, but something clicked Cockpit in Leeds on Friday, November immediately and an “intrigued” Jon was Some 20). To date they’ve only played four TV choice eager to continue working his new foil. gigs and the reaction was initially “I wondered what else we could do,” he puzzlement. “Nobody knew what to Celebrities gear up for explains on crackly mobile phone line expect,” says Jon. “One of the great Children In Need 11 while shuttling between radio promo things about starting something from sessions. scratch is, if you are lucky enough, you “It seemed to make some sense to give Velvet get to see an audience changing. They It’s a jungle in there – a look back at I’m A it a go. Before long we had an album.” went from bewilderment to huge grins at The sweeping strings of their debut the end. It’s rewarding.” Celebrity... Get Me Out single Vanity Kills suggest Codeine As for whether Codeine Velvet Club will Of Here! 12 Velvet Club are pursuing a cinematic continue beyond this album, Jon is path, creating a soundtrack for some unsure. “I guess it will all depend on Doctor Who says don’t morning imaginary Bond-like film. Jon sounds how this goes. Three things might drink The Waters Of uncertain that this was their original happen – it might go well and well keep Mars 13 intention. “I was not overly conscious being a fan of one exponent of it. You much as possible into the record, as that going, it might not or it might take a that it was [the case],” he says. “Most can’t watch a film from the Sixties many colours as we could. There were while to build up. people I know have got pretty large without it seeping into your head. It was not any rules on a particular style that “After all that hard work we put in it record collections. I don’t know anybody more general than [John Barry]. the album should have.” would be a shame to stop at that point.” who sticks to one thing. “The other example I’ve heard was Lee In an attempt to get under the skin of the Hinting perhaps that the Fratellis’ “At the time we were writing these Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra. I’d never project Jon, at one stage, stayed at the “holiday” may be more than a temporary songs I must have been in that kind of heard of Lee Hazlewood. I should be Chateau Marmont, the hotel on Sunset vacation, he adds: “I’ve no concrete mood. You have to let it go that way. If embarrassed about that but I’m not. To Boulevard that has played host to plans at the moment – other than to do were to make another album it might not some people listening the influences everyone from Greta Garbo to Led this.” be in that mood.” might seem obvious, but it’s probably Zeppelin. The actor John Belushi died of ● Codeine Velvet Club is released Critics have noted the influence of John the case for most people that write or a drug overdose in one of its garden on Monday. Tickets for the gig at Barry, though again, Jon says, this was make music that there’s not always a bungalows. It was there that Jon wrote at the Cockpit are available from unconscious. “I did not own a John direct influence. The orchestral, John several songs. Jumbo or Crash Records or from Barry record until 10 days ago. That Barry thing was more general.” “There was definitely an intention at one www.lunatickets.co.uk. music can be quite general, without He adds: “We were trying to put as point of trying to creep into Hollywood,” www.codeinevelvetclub.com STEVE HACKETT OUT OF THE TUNNEL’S MOUTH HAYLEY WESTENRA Helena Bonham Carter ★★★✩✩ WINTER MAGIC plays Enid Blyton 14 JIM McCARTY ★★★★✩ albums SITTING ON THE TOP OF TIME I used to be of the opinion that if Soaps 15 ★★★✩✩ you were describing something as martin ross PETER BARTON & JERRY ‘classical crossover’ you were Radio guide 16 DONAHUE using 15 letters more than FALLEN necessary when the word ‘pap’ and Susan Boyle in the classical TV movies 17 ★★✩✩✩ would suffice. crossover charts this Christmas, So, it’s either my advancing years Out of all the former member of but her effort, with its integrity or an early injection of festive prog rock band Genesis, it’s and modest lack of showboating, spirit that’s led me to enjoy the arguably guitarist Steve Hackett deserves to lead the pack. new album from young Kiwi Saturday TV that has enjoyed the most rewarding Yes, it is very sweet and at times songstress Hayley Westenra so solo career, turning out an slushy, but never cloying or 18&19 much. That, and the fact, that assortment of well-received rock, insincere, and it manages to cover after being exposed to Sting’s gruff solo acoustic guitar and orchestral some interesting terrain, from the Sunday TV seasonal offering this sounds like works. entirely choral The Coventry a flypast of heaven on the back of 20&21 Out Of The Tunnel’s Mouth follows Carol to the gently poppy All With Santa’s sled. the rock album template and You and Peace Shall Come. Westenra, who’s so clean cut she Monday TV features the now familiar mix of Following the winter theme of the festive numbers are either not makes Mary Poppins look like adventurous world music-flavoured title, the album’s not entirely obvious choices or are given fresh 22&23 Betty Page and has a voice to prog and theatrical rock workouts focused on Christmas tunes and treatments, like the twinkly takes match, is facing strong where Hackett – assisted by talented there are surprises like an icily on Veni Veni Emmanuel and Tuesday TV competition from the likes of players including old pal Roger King beautiful version of Joni Corpus Christi Carol. Katherine Jenkins, Faryl Smith 24&25 on keyboards and pigtailed ex- Mitchell’s River. Those that are DECCA Kajagoogoo man Nick Beggs on bass Wednesday TV – once again proves he’s got a way 26&27 with spooky chord progressions and Yardbird and Rennaissance man many of the tracks and featuring Barton and Fotheringay and scorching, goosebump-raising Jim McCarty, his first in 16 years. McCarty’s quietly introspective Fairport Convention guitarist Jerry Thursday TV guitar solos. Although primarily a drummer, lyrics sung in a homely voice not far Donahue. You might even detect some McCarty’s been stockpiling a bunch removed from Ozzy Osbourne’s Unlike the focussed efforts from 28&29 heightened emotions on songs like of warmly melodic songs and lovely latterday careworn tones, Sitting On Hackett and McCarty, their bluesy Emerald And Ash that appear to instrumentals which include The Top Of Time is a must-have for sax-bolstered boogieing and US-style Friday TV stem from the recent sad collapse of Knopfler-esque shuffles and mellow Renaissance fans. soft rock balladry suffers from 30&31 his 32-year marriage to Brazilian old-school psychedelia. EASY ACTION weedy production and an obvious artist Kim Poor. Delivered by a bunch of highly Also making the most of the inability on their part to www.hackettsongs.com talented players, with pianist opportunities that the internet discriminate between what is Weather 32 By coincidence Hackett also pops up Donald Quan’s energetic and fleet- afford in extending their careers are classic and what is hopelessy dated.