Page 43 - Phonebox Magazine January 2011

-VALHALLA -
According to Norse mythology Valhalla was the great hall of immortality in which the souls of warriors slain heroically were received by Odin and enshrined. It is not a myth, however, that Valhalla also happens to be the title of a remarkably fine new album by the legendary 70’s rock band Stray.
The Valhalla album was released on 4th October 2010 and the band marked the release with a special show at The Borderline venue in London. More recently, the band played a very enjoyable set at The Wheatsheaf in Leighton Buzzard on 11th December.
The original line-up of Stray was formed in 1966 and featured Steve Gadd on vocals, Del Bromham on guitars, Gary Giles on bass and Ritchie Cole on drums. After signing to Transatlantic records the band released a string of fine albums including “Stray” (1970) “Suicide” (1971) and the very excellent “Saturday Morning Pictures” (1972).
Del Bromham, who now hails from this neck of the woods, is the only remaining member of the 1970’s line-up and is joined on “Valhalla” by Stuart Uren on bass and vocals and Karl Randall on drums. The set at The Wheatsheaf featured many of the 12 songs from the new
THE STABLES continued
album, including “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue”, “Free At Last”, “Harry Farr” and “Skin”. Many of the songs have a strong peace message ...
“At 1600 and Number 10
You think you are above all other men You’ve got the power but it’s no game These are the actions of a world that’s gone
insane.”
The set also featured a number of tracks from the early albums, including a wonderful rendition of “Time Machine” from the first album, “Jericho” from the second and the tremendous “After the Storm” from the third album. For those who have yet to discover “The Wheatsheaf”, it is a town centre pub in Leighton Buzzard which has live music on Friday and Saturday nights. There are also occasional Wednesday evening gigs for local bands on the road to stardom. www.thewheatie.co.uk Best of all, in these cash-strapped days, there is no admission charge! For the performance on December 11th the band took to the stage just before 21.45 and played a set well over two hours in length, finally coming off stage as midnight
struck. The pub was absolutely packed for the gig, but it was a remarkably friendly audience with no hint of the trouble that often occurs in town centre pubs at the weekend.
For those who remember Stray from the 1970’s I am delighted to advise that the early albums are all available on CD from Amazon and other reputable retailers. The new album “Valhalla” is available from Amazon, or can be purchased directly on line from the Stray website www.stray-the-band.co.uk – I ordered my copy online and was rather bemused when it was hand-delivered to my house a couple of days later by Del himself!
If you would like to have a listen to some of the new Stray material, you might like to visit www.myspace.com/delbromhamstray
Steve Clark
John Bowman’s popular one-day introduction is ideal for beginners or those who want a refresher.
Three Bonzos and A Piano
Sunday 30 January, 8pm
Tickets £17.50
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band fans will be delighted to learn that Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater and Sam Spoons have teamed up with super-pianist Dave Glasson to create more subversive diversion in the spirit of the ageless band.
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Monday 31 January 8pm Tickets £25
He started out singing gospel as a child, did six years with Johnny Cash in the 80s, came up with the smash “hillbilly rock hits” of the 90s.
Madison Violet
Friday 21 January, 8.45pm Tickets £10 in advance, £12 on the door
If Gillian Welch, Steve Earle and Alison Krauss had a collective love-child, their offspring might sound like Madison Violets. They have a sound that’s all their own, described as both city-folk and tumbleweed pop.
Real Diamond: The Jazz Singer Tour
Saturday 22 January, 8pm Tickets £19
Neil Diamond is an icon. His fan base in the UK is exceptionally large and loyal, and John Hylton is Europe’s foremost Neil Diamond tribute performer.
Blues Guitar Workshop – Beginners
Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 22nd January 10am – 3pm
Course fee £28
If you can play E7, A7 and B7, you are ready to learn the Blues!
The Fortunes
Sunday 23 January, 8pm
Tickets £16
Following in the wake of Merseybeat and the Rolling Stones’ R&B sound, The Fortunes added another dimension to the mid-60s pop soundscape with their sophisticated orchestration, dual lead vocals and stylish counter-melodies.
Drumming Workshops – Beginners Conga
Sunday 23 January 10am - 4pm
Adult/Age15+ Workshop Course fee £32
One-day workshops for anyone new to hand drumming or interested in finding out more about conga
drumming or Latin- American rhythms.
Punt & Dennis: They Should Get Out More
Monday 24 January, 8pm
Gallagher, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Moore, Walter Trout, Hendrix or The Hamsters, you’ll love Larry’s guitar pyrotechnics!
M1 Music Night: Daniela Bove
Friday 28 January, 8.45pm Tickets £10 in advance,
Tickets £20
It’s been 3 years
since Punt and
Dennis last toured
the UK. There is,
therefore, no
excuse for not
writing a brand-new show and getting out on the road. May contain strong language and adult material. Suitable for age 16+.
C’mon Everybody
Thursday 27 January, 8pm Tickets £16.50
All the greatest musical stars of the 50s and 60s come alive in this spectacular, vibrant, non-stop rockin’ show. If you love rock ‘n’ roll it’s unmissable!
Larry Miller
Friday 28 January, 8pm
Tickets £13.50
Larry Miller is fast becoming a must-see blues-rock act. With his energetic style, he is famous for rip-roaring shows in the UK and around Europe. If you like Rory
£12 on the door
The M1 Music Night series features up-and- coming artists from Bucks, Beds, Herts and Northants. Tonight we showcase local hero Daniela Bove, who’s set to light up Stage 2 with her full band The Belongings as they launch the release of their second album. Catch them while you can for a night of
Daniela Bove
ethereal folk-driven bliss!
Magazine Gap
Saturday 29 January, 8pm
Tickets £12.50
Magazine Gap are a live sensation and probably one of the most exciting UK bands to emerge in many years, in part due to its make-up of musicians from different traditional fields. They arrive at The Stables following two US tours and in the midst of a UK tour.
Waves and Raves 1 Adult/15+ Workshop Saturday 29 January 10am – 4pm
Course fee £31 or £57 when booked with Waves and Raves 2
BOX OFFICE: 01908 280800 BOOK ONLINE: www.stables.org
The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon Milton Keynes MK17 8LU
Phonebox Magazine 43