News (+ Reviews)

E-Mail from Micky B May 10th 09

Hi there

Seen ya at The Moon and Sixpence Ilkeston (The Kings Head to the
regulars) and i must say what a great night it was, I've been drinking
in Ilson for about 28-30 years and it's the first time I've ever stayed
in one pub all night, the atmosphere was bangin the beer was a flowin
and the music was great, obviously the pub ain't that big but i reckon
if it was 3 times bigger you would have still filled it.

I really enjoyed it, one of the best nights I've had in Ilson for a long
long time, you gotta come back now we've had a taste of the good stuff

I personally will be asking Kath and Jeff to get you back (assuming you
would come back )

anyway gotta go, maybe catch ya later

All the best

Micky B

Little Giants at The Chestnut Tree, Nottingham. Thursday, 14th September

Amongst the plethora of classic rock covers, tribute and the inevitable blues bands which populate the local band scene it makes a refreshing change to see a band who are genuinely different AND entertaining.

Little Giants are a grown-up band, for grown-up people – but make no mistake – they are also about as much fun as you can have on a Thursday night whilst keeping your clothes on. If the prospect of a combination of funk, soul, country and rock makes you feel like heading for the door already, then hold tight my friend, because these chaps (and chapessies) are going to surprise and challenge a few misconceptions.

Kicking off with some Elvis (the Costello version), “Pump It Up” stomps with gentle power and some nice sax from the lovely Mel Taylor (not just there for eye candy fellas) before launching head first into The Black Crowes’ “Hard To Handle”, lead vocalist / guitarist Gary Russell swaggers effortlessly into rock mode, and it’s a very capable cover of a difficult song to do well.

“Get It On” (T-Rex) is a well-known classic but “Shakey Ground” takes into the not so often heard territory of country artist T Graham Brown. Country music is much misunderstood in the UK, but Little Giants have the guile to pull it off successfully, without resorting to cliché. Next up, introduced as “a song about willies” is John Hiatt’s “Little Head” and any band that does a John Hiatt cover is alright by me. (What do you mean “Who”? – Google is your friend.). A change of lead vocals as Kev Kirwan (Bass) takes over the duties for Redbone’s “Witch Queen” (a bass player with a decent voice? – impressive) and then it’s all change again, Mel transferring to violin for the rolling “18 Wheels And A Crowbar” (BR549 – time to get Googling again folks!) which chugs away nicely before the set closer “Hands To Yourself”, the Georgia Satellites’ rocker.

Time for a beer or two and I’ve moved up nearer the front as it’s not too busy in the Chestnut this evening (which is a shame, because a band of this quality and diversity deserve a bigger audience). Kicks off with Gary on the mandolin for the classic “Copperhead Road” (Steve Earle) and you just know it’s going to be a great set. These guys know their stuff and enjoy what they are doing – it’s big smiles all round and you know that they wouldn’t care if no-one had turned-up. Alan Higgin’s lead guitar work is unflashy yet more than competent, playing with the band rather than over it like so many widdle merchants and the backbone of the band is in the capable hands of Richard Warr on drums. Back to the set, we get more Steve Earle (and more mandolin) with “Johnny Come Lately” and then back into country rock territory with the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd “Gimme Three Steps” and I’m stomping my feet already. Just when you think you know where this band is coming from, they switch direction again, into the smooth “Burlesque” (Roger Chapman & Family), the excellent “Why did you do it?” (Stretch) and The Doobies’ “Long Train” closes a little trio of funkier numbers.

The boys from Armarda are here supporting their fifth member (Gary does the sound for them), so he invites vocalist Mark Raven to join them on stage for a couple of numbers. “Start The Car” (Travis Tritt) rocks along nicely although I suspect that Mark is actually singing the Jude Cole version, which causes a little confusion but more than a few smiles amongst the band – live music is supposed to be fun, right? Mark stays on vocals for The Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman” which starts in ¾ country time, Mark doing his best cowboy impressions, before switching to the more conventional 4/4 rock timing.

Little Giants close their set with Big and Rich “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy” a big bag of fun-injected country rock which leave me with a big drunken smile on my face.

These guys are one of the best bands on the circuit; different, entertaining and professional. If you’re fed-up to the back teeth of Stevie Ray Vaughan impersonators, classic rock tributes and boring bluesers then get yourself off to the next Little Giants gig and get a musical education.

Kev Newbold

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