To a room full of quiet appreciation and a dizzying flickering glitterball, Aly Spaltro took to the stage in total darkness. Anticipation to hear songs from her debut album Ripely Pine was the reason for the busy little crowd. Singing into the void with her opener Up In the Rafters; this opener was not an indication of how the set would turn out!
Bang! Straight into Bird Balloons. A song so utterly crazy with a ridiculous time sequence. Songs such as Aubergine and Hair to the Ferris Wheel shone out. The use of a drummer to assist was extremely welcome; and added some welcome oomph to the punchier numbers. The drummer wasn't always present; disappearing while some of the softer numbers in the set like Little Brother were played out.
Really though it is tracks like You Are The Apple and The Nothing Part Two which is the main reason why there is such a packed little crowd in this corner of East London. With the finale Crane Your Neck hitting all the right notes, Lady Lamb left you wanting more. She heads back to her homeland in the States tomorrow; but there is no doubt that she'll be back.
Thursday 31 October 2013
Lee Thompson's Ska Orchestra- St Albans Arena. Friday 3rd October 2013.
It wasn't so much a gig, more like a family party.
The St Albans Arena was not even a quarter full on Friday evening; but those who were in attendance; were either hardcore fans or relatives. Which made for an intriguing spectacle.
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra appeared on stage to around two hunded and fifty people; you could eavesdrop on every conversation in the room. In between songs the banter was rude and crude. Thompson is an entertainer; bouncing across the stage from left to right; saxophone in hand, cajoling and interacting with audience and his own band.
The songs were all from Lee Thompson's latest incarnation of solo work aside from Madness. The Benvolence of Sister Mary Ignatius has been a widely received album; and on the whole reviews have been quite complimentary. Ticket sales on the other hand have been poor; and for an eight piece band selling two hundred and fifty tickets for a show; the profits may just about have covered the last train home.
"We are a real proper band"; says Thompson as the set winds through. And as each track hit the spot, I loved it.
The St Albans Arena was not even a quarter full on Friday evening; but those who were in attendance; were either hardcore fans or relatives. Which made for an intriguing spectacle.
The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra appeared on stage to around two hunded and fifty people; you could eavesdrop on every conversation in the room. In between songs the banter was rude and crude. Thompson is an entertainer; bouncing across the stage from left to right; saxophone in hand, cajoling and interacting with audience and his own band.
The songs were all from Lee Thompson's latest incarnation of solo work aside from Madness. The Benvolence of Sister Mary Ignatius has been a widely received album; and on the whole reviews have been quite complimentary. Ticket sales on the other hand have been poor; and for an eight piece band selling two hundred and fifty tickets for a show; the profits may just about have covered the last train home.
"We are a real proper band"; says Thompson as the set winds through. And as each track hit the spot, I loved it.
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