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| Smashing Time |
| The Old Blue Last 1/7/03 The Walthamstow Festival 7/9/03 The Rhythm Factory 9/9/03 Three top performances from one of the most aptly named bands around have left me hungry for more. After a quiet spell the boys are back with a vengeance, playing a blend of self-penned numbers with an eclectic choice of covers. 'London Swings' sounds familiar, as if you know the tune already and by the time that you realise you don't, you've picked up the chorus and are singing along anyway. |
| Smashing Time don't mind pilfering a title: with 'Be Here Now', 'Circles' and 'Picking up the Pieces' but that is where any similarities end. These songs are all their own work, and believe me they do work. With Alvin�s sublime bass countered by Paul�s haunting keyboard, supported by the strong drumming, you wonder how 3 vocalists are going to fit. Well, the answer is; like a Saville Row suit. From the moody 'Peggy' sung by Jim, to the 100 mile per hour 'One of those Days' sung by Paul, Bob and Jim - everything gels beautifully. Their stage performance may appear to be pandemonium, with Paul using every percussion instrument known to man (and getting feedback from his Granddad's transistor radio on 'Sammy Bostick'), but the sound reassures you that these guys are very well organised indeed. We were privileged to see one of the last performances of the old drummer (Steve Besemer) and one of the first performances of the new (Paul �Rylo� Rylance). Now, these two guys have very different styles but, the way they provide the backbone of the band, you'd be hard pressed to spot the join. |
| With covers like 'BBC' from Austin Powers and the sinfully underplayed Neil Diamond song 'Thank the Lord for the Night time' bringing in an air of familiarity, this really is a band not to be missed. If you like your music energetic, exciting and most of all played by people who never stop smiling and looking like they're enjoying it - get yourself along to their next gig. And whatever you do, don't leave early, as this is one group that are never allowed to leave the stage without an encore! In the meantime, to satisfy your appetite, they have got the amazing (and recently written) 'They've Only Gone and Done it' out soon on a new Acid Jazz compilation 'Exile on Hammond Street' � due in October. This is one track that�s getting a whole lot of airplay on Gary Crowley's show on BBC Radio London 94.9 fm. For more information and a couple of great mp3's click on one of the images or have a look at www.smashingtime.com |
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