Sandy Denny Tribute: Nottingham, May 20th

This is a much extended version of my review for the Nottingham Post. After two hours forty fun-filled minutes with Elvis Costello’s Spectacular Singing Songbook at the Royal Concert Hall on Saturday night (highlight, the revived, relevant again, ‘Tramp The Dirt Down’), I was back for a show the same length. In the balcony this time, rather than my favourite spot – the middle of the fifth row – and with a twenty minute interval. The show started so promptly (7.30!), we missed the opening remarks. Each of the acts was introduced by Andrew Batt who put the tour together and also worked on all the recent sandy re-issues including compiling and mixing the 19cd boxset. All credit to him, but I’m not sure this…

What You Don’t Know

My new novel, ‘What You Don’t Know’, was published this week and I’d like to thank everybody who came to the launch at Waterstones. The first ten minutes are above, including a rare chance to see my very talented editor Luke Brown introducing me. The second Bone & Cane novel is a standalone sequel. It’s about the war on drugs, at every level. There are several mysteries. Oh, and there’s a murder. Most people seem to think it’s the best thing I’ve written. Thanks to everyone who left the brilliant reviews on Amazon (and, please, keep them coming). I’d say more, only I’m just getting back to my desk after an over-extended bout of builders and am anxious to finish the third book in the…

Simone Felice Band, Nottingham Glee, May 2nd 2012

This review first appeared in the Nottingham Post   SINCE leaving family band The Felice Brothers, Simone Felice has recorded with The Duke and the King, undergone a heart bypass and become a father. Life-changing stuff, and tonight’s triumphant show was both as dark and as affirmative as they come. Kicking off with new album highlight New York Times, Felice took us on an intense journey that included a song for his daughter, classics from his old bands and a mighty trio of cover versions, the best of which was a delicate version of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here (with a few added lyrics). The loudest applause of recognition came for a sublime Union Street and the lovely If You Ever Get Famous. Other…