Sonrisa
After 37 years of being a music journalist, I still get a thrill when I receive a new album, especially when it’s from a unique and exciting band like Sonrisa.
Kenilworth’s finest are no strangers to releasing quality albums. Their latest, ‘From Today’, is packed full of laid-back chill-out songs and Latin American tinged classics.
This is the first album recorded with their current line up, with full percussion rather than a full drum kit and an added keyboard. It all works beautifully, supreme musicianship and spot-on lead vocals, delivered by a natural singer in the shape of Kath Kimber. The album takes me to sunnier climbs, and that’s a powerful thing when a album can evoke such imagination. Roll on summer.
The current line up is; Kath Kimber – Vocals / Flute, Liz Ralls – Trumpet / Flugel Horn, Ant McTiffen – Nylon Guitar / Backing Vocals, Wayne Matthews – Acoustic Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals, Tommi Vokinen / Percussion / Cajon
Lead vocalist Kath Kember said of the album: “We’ve been recording this album in-between touring of the last 18 months. We have travelled the length and breadth of the country touring mainly with rural touring schemes and to festivals.”
The Original Rude boy exhibition is now open
Last Thursday night at the Coventry Music Museum saw the opening of The Neville Staple The Original Rude boy exhibition.
A packed museum got to be the first people to see (and try) all that’s on show in the exhibition.
Neville and his wife Christine, both loved what they saw. “It’s brilliant” said Neville. “I really didn’t think it was going to be this good. I have been upstairs and everything is beautiful.”
His wife Christine said; “You know what, I am so pleased and happy to support it, because my husband is a brilliant man.” The highlight on the night was being treated to a short acoustic set at Knights Venue with Neville, Christine and Nev’s Bass man ‘Sledge’.
The public can now enjoy the displays, sing on the Nev-aoke, dress up as Judge Roughneck, and have your photo taken behind the prison bars. While you learn all about this truly unique Coventry Legend.
City Of Music Brody is in the house
Great news that the BBC’s ‘Mr Introducing’ himself, Brody Swain is to compare the Saturday night at the ‘City of Music’ Music Museum fundraiser on Saturday at the Empire on Saturday February 3. The stellar line up is a superb pick of the best Coventry and Warwickshire music at this moment in time.
The two nights promise to be a victory for local talent and raise some money for a great cause. Tickets are available from 2-Tone Village, the former Coventry Telegraph Building and www.coventryempire.co.uk. Thanks to Phil Rooney, Neil Twigger and all the bands and artists playing this gig,
Here are the line-ups (obviously like every gig, the line-up may be subject to change).. So on Saturday, 6:30 Wilde, 7:15 Voodoo Kings, 8:00 Lloyd McGrath collective. 8:45 The Session.9:30 Skaladonia and 10:30 Barbdwire. Sunday, 6:30 Banes, 7:15 Special Brew,8:00 Danny Ansell, 8:30/8:45 Nick Nibb and Auction,9:15 Lost the Plot,10:00 Ruder than U and 11:00 Rooted n Booted
