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Showcall Showcase 2006 - Monday, Evening Session

Published Wednesday 18 October 2006 at 17:05 by Derek Smith

It was good to see a pretty healthy audience for the start of the second session at the Civic Hall, with everyone primed with all manner of information laid out on the tables by the acts or their representatives - the standard of promotional material available this year perhaps the best to date.

It’s what performers do on stage though which counts, of course, and in PP and the Floorshakers, this session kicked off with a rousing, rocking set, the band’s lead singer driving the whole set along with great energy and non-nonsense style. Honest, solid musicians covering the likes of A Town Called Malice are always a pleasure to watch, as this full-on outfit were.

Vocalist Adam James had an old world charm about him that most audiences, of whatever age, would find hard not to warm to. Charismatic, clearly talented and smartly presented, his cover of Impossible Dream may have felt like it was never going to end, being too slowly paced, but that apart this was an very enjoyable few numbers, his post-performance tete a tete with Tufty Gordon revealing an engaging, slightly eccentric personality.

Jo Wright, slim, slick and archetypal young female vocalist was another performer who won you over through a combination of decent singing, smart presentation and her obvious willing to please the audience. There’s definitely a touch of the showgirl about Wright - breaking into some mini dance routines mid-song - and they added at least another reason to keep watching. Better than staying rooted to the spot as some singers do. The covers chosen weren’t the most inspiring, the best being her Carpenters track, but the overall impression was of a good, competent vocalist.

When you call yourself Chemistry, the signals you’re sending out are that you’re pretty much in sync with one another. Certainly a more unusual act, purely in presentation, I wasn’t quite sure where they were headed creatively while the ‘all loved up’ body language of the male/female duo would surely start to grate before too long. The vocals were fine, the presentation professional, if a little dated, and the overall effect entertaining enough. Having only been going since January though, you did feel that this Chemistry wasn’t quite right yet.

Cole Burns is the kind of old time rocker who could do showcases in his sleep. A seriously experienced professional, he’s the sort of musician venues can just book and leave him to it, safe in the knowledge that whatever songs they want, he can provide. Anyone questioning his enthusiasm after many years on the road only had to see his crowd-pleasing cover of Have I The Right? to see he still enjoys what he does.

Desire, a trio of bubbly, glamorous and indeed talented females, looked intent on making an impression from the minute they stepped onstage. Certainly a cut above, presentation wise, their energy levels alone kept you watching, while the vocals, though patchy in parts, had the overall desired effect. They’d obviously worked hard on the choreography and that effort paid off. They work together well and with favourites like Car Wash as part of their repertoire, they can’t really go wrong - male audiences will love every minute.

Female vocalist Harriet Shaw, from Skegness, was another intent on making the most of every one of her ten minutes on stage. Almost bracing herself to blast out some of her material, she’s quite brash, has a powerful voice and isn’t afraid to give it free rein. Each song she turned into a roof raiser, not once holding back and if this appearance was typical of the effort she puts into a full length set then that would certainly be worth catching.

Dave Adams is an example of that now, unfortunately quite rare species, the genuinely funny and original adult comedian. Thankfully for those of a nervous disposition, Tufty had wisely warned the audience what to expect but being among trade friends few were likely to take offence. Most did laugh along to Adams’ X-rated gags, most of which found the target, only the odd one falling flat.

Judging an act like Xtreme Supremes is supremely difficult. Like any tribute group, the bottom line is that you’re never going to match the originals but if you can get as close as possible then that’s job done. Appearance wise, they’re passable and certainly vocally they’re not likely to disappoint many audiences but as a whole package they never quite convinced, some limp hand movements not helping, even if the voices combined well. As entertaining as they were, judgements are made on detail and this act just needs sharpening up and more life breathed into it.

That couldn’t be said of Jon St John, a male vocalist clearly passionate about his music, especially the West End musicals, here belting out a fine version of Bring Him Home. His voice has depth, he worked really well with the house band and making a cover of My Way a pleasure to listen to was an achievement in itself. Finding work won’t be a problem for him.

Less conventional was female vocalist Ellen Sheehan, in appearance and in choice of music. She clearly knows her music inside out and loves performing. There’s no distractions with Sheehan, she’s focused on giving the best version of each number chosen and gives it her all. Best here was the belting finale, Showcall’s house band going into Calypso overdrive to support her and the combined sound fabulous to hear.

If you want to see a young ventriloquist at the top of his trade, look no further than Steve Hewlett and Friends. Not only does he work an audience better than just about anyone else but his material is sharp, original and engaging. His puppets, of course, are just the tools of his trade but over the years he’s had a hand in, quite literally, inventing some pretty original characters. Already impressive, give him a few more years and he really will be a master of his trade and hopefully an inspiration for youngsters to take up the art and continue the tradition of venting.

As enjoyable as duo Sweet Soulutions were, at times, this new act felt not quite the finished article. Opting for a nine-minute, non-stop medley was maybe not the wisest move - audiences need time to sit back, take a breather and assess new acts - but the harmonies were fine, the presentation faultless and the overall effect packed more than enough showbiz glitz. Caught maybe between going cabaret or contemporary, it’ll be interesting to see how this act develops.

Given the youngsters they clearly are, you had to be impressed with four-piece vocal group Anthem, a grungy street gang come musical troupe with an amazing amount of energy, enthusiasm and talent. A new act whose members have clearly put a great amount of effort in, all the elements are here to find success. Tracks like Relight My Fire were huge fun to watch and the more the set progressed, the better they got, as did the synergy between the members. They deserve and will find success I’m sure.

It’s always good to finish off a Showcall session with a great band and that’s exactly what Souled Out 2 Funk are, opening with a rousing number - brass section in full flow, which set out their very funky stall straight away. Stalking the stage, strutting his stuff, this outfit boasts a charismatic front man who really cuts the musical mustard. Disco Inferno, to mention just one cover, was squeezed into this good set, one you really didn’t want to finish.

But finish this session did, one which may have been heavy on vocalists but never felt repetitive or predictable - that in itself being testament to the varied talents on stage.

EXPERT CHOICE

Alan Pope, 1st Class Entertainment Agency

• Steve Hewlett and Friends

• Xtreme Supremes

See Showcall Online to book the acts mentioned in this review: www.showcall.co.uk

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