The latest new music reviews have been released by the critics at The Arts Desk - covering some oldies, some newbies and plenty of goodies...
Russ Coffey went to the Bush Hall to see Jon Allen and Josh Bray's double bill of singer-songwriters. Coffey enjoyed their performance, which dramatically improved after initially experiencing sound problems and a lack of atmosphere. The reviewer found Allen to be the smoother and Bray to be the more rough-edged, which seemed to work a treat.
A 65,000-strong crowd recently rocked out to Kings of Leon in Hyde Park. Matilda Battersby enjoyed a compelling live performance from the Followills, who treated the crowd to hit after hit. A documentary about the band's amazing journey to fame will be hitting the cinemas soon.
Joe Muggs recently sampled the new music scene at Barcelona's Sonar festival. Showcasing everything from hip hop to South African tribal dance, Muggs wrote a three-day report on this popular modern dance music festival.
Seven-piece Scottish collective Southern Tenant Folk Union recently showcased their new album, 'Pencaitland' at the King and Queen. Russ Coffey found that their fusion of Celtic British and American roots music, alongside a healthy dose of bluegrass banjo, gave their music real heart and soul.
Bruce Dessau enjoyed Ringo Starr's All Starr Band concert at Hampton Court Palace. Dessau loved the mix of Beatles classics with Starr's solo hits, which were particularly entertaining alongside Ringo's self-mocking humour.
The Arts Desk has also reviewed this week's new music CD releases. Mehdi Zannad's 'Fugue' is packed with retro-style summer pop, while Stevie Nicks returns with wispy folk rock with 'In Your Dreams'. London nine-piece band The Bookhouse Boys evoke pacey but dark melodrama in 'Tales to be Told', while the twangy guitar sounds of Duane Eddy can be heard anew in his collaboration with Richard Hawley in 'Road Trip'. Meanwhile Marilyn Mazur and her percussion orchestra create glittering spaces in 'Celestial Circle', while The Bo-Keys' 'Got to Get Back!' proves that you needn't settle for imitation retro soul when you can have the real thing.
Russ Coffey went to the Bush Hall to see Jon Allen and Josh Bray's double bill of singer-songwriters. Coffey enjoyed their performance, which dramatically improved after initially experiencing sound problems and a lack of atmosphere. The reviewer found Allen to be the smoother and Bray to be the more rough-edged, which seemed to work a treat.
A 65,000-strong crowd recently rocked out to Kings of Leon in Hyde Park. Matilda Battersby enjoyed a compelling live performance from the Followills, who treated the crowd to hit after hit. A documentary about the band's amazing journey to fame will be hitting the cinemas soon.
Joe Muggs recently sampled the new music scene at Barcelona's Sonar festival. Showcasing everything from hip hop to South African tribal dance, Muggs wrote a three-day report on this popular modern dance music festival.
Seven-piece Scottish collective Southern Tenant Folk Union recently showcased their new album, 'Pencaitland' at the King and Queen. Russ Coffey found that their fusion of Celtic British and American roots music, alongside a healthy dose of bluegrass banjo, gave their music real heart and soul.
Bruce Dessau enjoyed Ringo Starr's All Starr Band concert at Hampton Court Palace. Dessau loved the mix of Beatles classics with Starr's solo hits, which were particularly entertaining alongside Ringo's self-mocking humour.
The Arts Desk has also reviewed this week's new music CD releases. Mehdi Zannad's 'Fugue' is packed with retro-style summer pop, while Stevie Nicks returns with wispy folk rock with 'In Your Dreams'. London nine-piece band The Bookhouse Boys evoke pacey but dark melodrama in 'Tales to be Told', while the twangy guitar sounds of Duane Eddy can be heard anew in his collaboration with Richard Hawley in 'Road Trip'. Meanwhile Marilyn Mazur and her percussion orchestra create glittering spaces in 'Celestial Circle', while The Bo-Keys' 'Got to Get Back!' proves that you needn't settle for imitation retro soul when you can have the real thing.