Coventry Music Archives's blog

BARRICADES RISE - New Album out

'You and Your Adored' - HOBO reviews the new acoustic Barricades Rise Album

Barricades Rise

HOBO REVIEW

Coventry's distinguished musical heritage is not all the past!

Coventry's dynamic acoustic duo - Barricades Rise 

"Performing with intense energy and delivering their unique
 raspy, rugged and dark vocals" BBC C&W

Barricades Rise - 

create vibrant musical fire and brimstone with only two accoustic guitars and bongos on their new album You and Your Adored. Coventry's distinguished musical heritage is not all the past - the city is once again ablaze with musical talent and Barricades Rise bring drama, soul and dynamics to the acoustic arena.

They just do not sound like your average acoustic due! The sound grabs your attention from the first bar and holds it with dynamic interweaves of vocal grit and harmony and the rhythms build and rage and fade and build again. It is at once a professional sound, full of energy and integrity that would hold its own against electric bands.

These two lads have definate talent and drive and add a destinctive sound to the range of music that is spilling out of the city these days.

You can hear some of their work on this Reverbnation widget and make up your own mind. 

Check out their NEW website for more details http://www.barricadesrise.co.uk/

 Barricades Rise are a two piece acoustic act hailing from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK that formed in December 2007. They have been compared to the likes of Turin Brakes, Starsailor, Puressence and Elbow. Jonathan’s voice rips through each track with a passion and power that is rarely heard with today’s front men, whilst Michael's guitar playing is the perfect match and with over ten years of playing together they compliment each other flawlessly.

In 2012 Barricades Rise signed to one of the biggest Independent record labels in the USA, Spectra Records and their new album 'All I Have Is Here' is to be released in Spring 2013.

Discography - Available on 
http://barricadesrise.bandcamp.com/
You and Your Adored (2009) - CD Sold Out, Download only
No Love Lost EP (2010) - Download Only
All I Have Is Here (Spectra Records release, 2013) - Release Date TBC

Barricades Rise Interview

Charley Anderson Ghetto Child Promo.mpg

Charley Anderson Ghetto Child Promo.mpg

Charley Anderson (formerly of Selecter of course). Charley was the youth worker at the West Indian youth club - Holyhead Youth Centre Coventry back in 1974. We ran the Hobo Music / Arts Workshop in the ground floor Theatre and Charley's group were in the basement. I remember Neol Davies coming along and jamming with them downstairs - 5 years later Two Tone emerged. It's good to see Charley still going strong after all these years - check his video out and give some support.

RECORD REVIEW - MAGNA CARTA

Ages and Seasons

Magna Carta

LORD OF THE AGES - MAGNA CARTA
REVIEW BY TREV AND DAVE IN HOBO No  4 1974

It's hard to capture the beauty of this album in words. It's the kind of album to play when you've stopped rushing and

Magna Carta - Backroads

want to relax. Lyrics are poetic but not corny, blending nicely with the haunting melodies, not unsimilar to CSNY and Simon and Garfunkle. The mood shifts to a funky sound in the second half and then back again. Oh but what the hell are you reading this for? If you are into this type of music, go and grab a listen at Virgin Records (or on Amazon make it more contemporary)!

(NB this review may be relocated with the other reviews on this blog at a later date)

HOBO REVIEWS - by CRAIG WARD (SUNSHINE)

These reviews by Craig Ward (of the Coventry Sunshine Music Agency)

Sunshine music Agency

were supplied for the Issue 4 (1974) of Hobo but only published in the issue that never came out (see editorials).
Sunshine was a Coventry Music Agency specialising in Management, agency, publicity, promotions in 1974, based at 123, Gulson Rd. Coventry, CV1 2JF. Directors were Craig Ward and Graham Wood (of Silk Disco). Bands they managed / promoted included Smack; Walrus Gumboot; A Band Called George and many more. 

 

MOTT THE HOOPLE - Golden Age of Rock n Roll (CBS2177)

The Hoople: Remastered & Expanded

Mott The Hoople

Mott really don't seem to be able to put a foot wrong these days and this Ian Hunter composition should see them back into the nifty fifty. (REMEMBER THAT AMAZING YES, MOTT, ATOMIC ROOSTER, FREE, night at the Lanch Polytechnic)

 

Mott The Hoople - The Golden Age Of Rock 'N' Roll - 1974

 Mott were bottom of the bill. They've worked hard and come a long way since then. But it makes you wonder what'd happened if David Bowie hadn't interfered when he did!

 

HOT CHOCOLATE : EMMA (RAK.168)

This is probably about the best pop single to come out this year. Another masterful production from a band who've still to make a bad record. Like the Bob Jackson (Indian Summer) style scream at the end. If this record doesn't reach the top 5 - I'll nail my head to the floor. (Eds note - According to the NME it peaked at No 3 6th April 1974!).

LITTLE JIMMY OSMOND : I'M GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR (M6H 2006389)
- Heaven forbid. Rubbish!!

SIMON TURNER ;  She Was Just a young Girl (No Way) (UK 60)

Jeeeezus! This guy sounds so much like Jonathon King that it could be the King of England himself singing. The song's got all the typical Jonathan King snatches in it, incredibly catchy chorus, and deserves to be a monster hit. (PS Simon Turner's version of Prettiest Star (Bowie) was pretty good too).

QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS F.C. - Give 'em the 'ol One-Two.

Believed to be the first release from this world acclaimed supergroup. Nice break from the centre forward from well inside his own half, a long through ball to his wingman who beat tow defenders to score easily from close range. This 11 piece band could really be a force to be reckoned with if they could just tighten up a bit. Watch out for Willie Flasher and the Raincoats new single - "Everybody wants to be a streaker...." (Ed notes - Streaking was hitting the headlines and the charts at this time!).

DEREK BRIMSTONE REVIEW

This review was written for the original HOBO Issue two which wasn’t published unfortunately – see editorial section.

 

A Very Good Time – by Derek Brimstone

Review by Trev Teasdel 1973

 

Followers of        Derek Brimstone who recently played at the Pilot (Coventry pub) with Colin Scott, will be, might be, or might not be, delighted to hear that he’s  has a new LP out. Mostly recorded Live in Sunderland Polytechnic and Pirton Herts, thus capturing not only his incredible playing but his hilarious stage patter, into which his songs are woven.

 

Songs included are:- We Had a Very Good Time (Brimstone) and  Piss Off (Copyright Control – Mike Heron. / When the Music Starts to Play / Mrs Fisher (A Melancholy yet funny half-poem / half song by Derek and a John Martyn song.

 

By the time this is printed Derek should be on the way to being a Grand dad  - so good luck to Steve and Lyndie Brimstone (friends of mine).

Twentycover%20(Custom)

 

Derek%20(custom)

 

Also – for folk guitarists may not know that Derek has a Clawpicking Guitar tutor out, in easy to follow tablature. I have a copy myself and recommend it! This is published by Southern Music and cost 40p (in 1973 that is!!, you will have to order it but it’s a good book. Well we’ll be saying “Keep on smiling cos ‘that do make it good’.

 

Bye – Trev Teasdel (1973)

 

(On a more contemporary note you can find out more about Derek and his music and books from his website – click on his name in blue above to go to his website)

MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – MESSIN

Published in Hobo No2 August 1973

MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – MESSIN

 

Album review by Mike O'Hare of Coventry Virgin Records 1973

 

Messin' [Us Import]

Manfred Mann's Earth Band

 

 

 

 

Having always been a fan of my  Manfred Mann, the contents of this album came as a little surprise and although it doesn’t quite match with the band’s last album Glorified Magnified, it is still a better album than most of your recognised rock n rollers are putting out.

Each and every track swinging with the possible exception of Sad Joy and that one’s a feeler with the title explaining what sort of feel it is.

There are three stand outs on this one; Messin; Ball and Chain; and Buddha.

Messin, the title track is a sort of jerky sort of rhythm which typifies most of the other tracks on the album.

A note must be made of the extremely effective synthesizer on this track and on Ball and Chain which is a 12 bar which jerks along in much the same way as Messin. Buddha is perhaps the fastest track on the album and certainly the rockiest although it does start off slowly

 

Manfred Mann - Blinded by the Light

The band on this track sound not unlike an early Led Zep. So there you are if you like rocky music that swings a bit and kicks like a donkey on heat, then this is the one you should no trouble getting off on.

HOME THOUGHTS – CLIFFORD T. WARD...

Published in Hobo No 2 August 1973

HOME THOUGHTS – CLIFFORD T. WARD.

 

Album review by Mike O'Hare of Coventry Virgin Records 1973

 

Home Thoughts from Abroad

Clifford T. Ward

Before I heard this album I knew nothing of Clifford T. Ward or his music. After hearing the first track I knew I was listening to one of the most beautiful works ever put on plastic and that is just what it is

 

Clifford T Ward - Gaye

Right from the word “go”, this album weaves in and out of you filling you with music which should put you in complete ease with yourself and your surroundings no matter where you are.

To describe the tracks individually with more words would be an injustice to them so I won’t. What I will say though is that Clifford T. Ward has produced an album of sheer beauty which surpasses all the works of the majority of so called singer songwriters.

Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give to Mr Ward is that in my opinion he has surpassed the work of artists in much the same vein as his own. This is an album that will very rarely leave the turn table on my record player

 

Home Thoughts From Abroad (Clifford T Ward)

anyway.

It’s music to fall in love with and I hope if you take the time to listen to it that you will fall in love with the music on this beautiful album.

HOBO REVIEW 1 - TODD RUNDGREN

Published in Hobo No 2 August 1973

TODD RUNDGREN

Wizard a True Star

Wizard, A True Star

Todd Rundgren

Album review by Mike O'Hare of Coventry Virgin Records 1973

 

N

ot knowing a great deal about Todd Rundgren, I didn’t really know what to expect from the man. But after listening to this album several times I can tell you that if he ever tours England he’s going to knock that man Bowie off his perch as the No1 star because ‘Wizard a True star’ is just what he is.

Here is an LP produced by the man himself which will give you (for £2 (in 1973!) if you know the right places) nearly 60 minutes of pure mind blowing hootin’ – tootin’, zappy music, which will make you say that you can’t wait for the next time to play it. If you like good titles you’ve got ‘em: - “Tic tic tic it Wears Off.”; “When the Shit Hits the Fans”;  “Le Feel Internationale” and, wait for it, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Pussy!”. It’s just too much.

If you turn up the volume when you put it on, don’t be surprised if you think your speakers can’t control the different

 

Todd Rundgren - Hello Its Me

sounds coming through them. Every track is linked and spaced with phased guitars (played by none other than Rick Deminger). Thousands of sexy, synthy sounds, animal noises, 17 mad Ginger Bakers and just about everything you could and couldn’t imagine.

This album is a gas and if you’re one of these nutcases who thinks of nothing else but sex and depravity and sits through Clockwork Orange, laughing your head off, then go out and buy the bloody thing! Oh by the way, as a warning, if you think too much while you’re listening to it you’ll go blind!!