tag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:/blogs/reviews-scb-liveREVIEWS: SCB LIVE!2022-08-05T11:57:55+01:00Starlite & Campbellfalsetag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70312972022-08-05T11:57:55+01:002023-10-16T16:04:58+01:00BEST OF WNY - USA<p>Bob Silvestri - <a contents="Best of WNY" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bestofwny.com/entertainment/" target="_blank">Best of WNY</a></p>
<p>Whoever said rock and roll is dead has obviously not heard the latest from the Starlite Campbell Band titled Live!.</p>
<p>The third album from the husband and wife team of Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell captures the energy and the power of the band in all its glory.</p>
<p>Recorded at various venues in the UK the eight tracks offer a modern take on the esteemed tradition of British blues and features Steve Gibson (The Buzzcocks, Jack Bruce) on drums and a trio of organists including Jonny Henderson (Matt Scofield, Kirk Fletcher), Christian Madden (Liam Gallagher Band) and Josh Phillips (Procol Harum) along with Starlite on bass and vocals and Campbell on guitar and vocals.</p>
<p>Highlights include the slick rocker "Brother", the epic incendiary and shimmering slow blues rocker "Cry Over You", the mid tempo ballad featuring a killer chorus and guitar solo "Take Time To Grow Old", the driving hook laden sounds of "Said So", the smoldering "Guilty" with Suzi on vocals, the funky strut of "Preacher of Love", the in the pocket groove of "Misgivings" and a exquisite cover of Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale with Phillips on the organ.</p>
<p>If I indulged in the practice of year end "Best Albums" lists, Starlite Campbell Band's album Live! would be on my Best of 2022 list.</p>
<p><a contents="Best of WNY" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bestofwny.com/entertainment/" target="_blank">Best of WNY</a> - Bob Silvestri</p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70272762022-07-30T20:10:43+01:002022-07-30T20:11:35+01:00BLUESTOWN MUSIC - NL<p>Peter Marinus - <a contents="Bluetown Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bluestownmusic.nl/review-starlite-campbell-band-live" target="_blank">Bluetown Music</a></p>
<p>The new album by married couple Suzy Starlite (bass, vocals) and Simon Campbell (vocals, guitar) and their Starlite Campbell Band has become a live album, recorded at The Met, Bury and the Grand Theatre, Oldham and let the band best side.</p>
<p>The band also consists of Steve Gibson (drums, including Jack Bruce) and the organists Jonny Henderson (including Matt Schofield, Kirk Fletcher), Christian Madden (including Liam Gallagher Band) and Josh Phillips (Procol Harum). </p>
<p>This live album proves that the Starlite Campbell Band is an excellent blues band, which also leaves room for a lot of soul influences.</p>
<p>The firmly pumping Brother opens the album with the swinging organ of Christian Madden. A nice funky song in which Simon Campbell proves to be a powerful singer and lets his guitar bite fiercely. Cry Over You is then a wonderfully atmospheric slow blues in which the voices of Simon and Suzy fit together seamlessly.</p>
<p>In Take Time To Grow Old the band steps off the blues path for a while to switch to a very soulful, almost Paul Carrack-like song with warm and intimate guitar playing.</p>
<p>Said So is an exciting rocker full of You Really Got Me and Get Ready influences, but also with room for almost prog-like blues. Simon's guitar screeches and swings in all directions with secretly hidden Allman Brothers licks. Guilty is another example of the band's soulful customer. This time with soulful vocals by Suzy.</p>
<p>The swinging pumping organ of Jonny Henderson plays an important role in the funky blues Preacher Of Love and the stiffly driving shuffle Misgivings .</p>
<p>Of course we all know A Whiter Shade Of Pale from Procol Harum. I never knew this song sounded so bluesy! Of course Josh Phillips' organ plays a leading role here.</p>
<p>Album number three from the Starlite Campbell Band proves once again that this is an excellent blues band!</p>
<p>Peter Marinus - Bluetown Music</p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70262592022-07-28T09:00:00+01:002022-07-30T20:11:35+01:00RHYTHM & BOOZE - UK<p>Graham Munn - <a contents="Rhythm &amp; Booze" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://rhythmbooze.tumblr.com/post/691039357452353536/starlite-campbell-band-live" target="_blank">Rhythm & Booze</a></p>
<p>Hot on the heels of their Language Of Curiosity album, comes this Live 9 track Live recording. Songs were recorded at The Met in Bury, and The Grange Theatre, Oldham over a series of dates that saw a select trio of organists join Suzy, Simon along with Steve Gibson on drums. Needless to say, Hammond and Wurlitzer stand out in this set of songs as Simon stretches the music they trade riffs as freely as swapping Panini stickers in a school break. Significantly, Josh Phillips from Procul Harum features, along with Jonny Henderson and Christian Madden. </p>
<p>The album opens on,’Brother’, with Christian on the ivories, Steve hits the spot on drums as Suzy’s bass pumps in the bottom end. Simon calls the lyrics as he explores his chosen axe. I say chosen, because when Campbell is on stage, there will be a range of often unusual, often vintage, stringed weapons to wield. ‘Cry Over You’, is a moody slow blues, that stands out in its rockier edged company, whilst unwrapping a gorgeous solo from Simon. A meaty 10 minutes long, but you’ll be in the zone all the way, through fabulous organ, and beautiful guitar leads. </p>
<p>Things turn a bit more to the wild side because I, ‘Said So’, a pulsating rock rhythm that steps aside as Campbell explores the skies setting off into a rocket fuelled flight that sees everything thrown in, he shadow boxes with a theremin, plays with time proven effects, throws in familiar riffs, goes crazy, LSD for the ears, I think so! </p>
<p>The only song where Suzy takes on vocals is, ‘Guilty’, I’m often guilty of indecision, but Suzy unloading all her demons in this song, Simon’s honeyed sweet guitar adds flavour, to the confessional. ‘Preacher Of Love’, has Simon in the pulpit, selling it to the ladies in the congregation, Hammond swirls around the guitar and heavy throbbing bass, Hendo is sublime, Steve keeps it all in line as the preacher sells his ware. Jonny stays seated for guilt trip, ‘Misgivings’, the shuffling rhythm is insistent, the Hammon is superb, Simon and Hendo swap riffs, goading each other, its a mixed fruit jam, a rich conserve to be savoured, until Campbell concedes. </p>
<p>Time for Josh to repaint the scene with ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’, still don’t understand what its about, but Simon plays homage to this wonderful piece of organic music. Check your paint chart if you want to see just how many “shades of white” there are, but you won’t find too many vestal virgins in there, despite the tales of the miller. Brilliant.</p>
<p>Graham Munn - <a contents="Rhythm &amp; Booze" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://rhythmbooze.tumblr.com/post/691039357452353536/starlite-campbell-band-live" target="_blank">Rhythm & Booze</a></p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70209472022-07-23T17:39:41+01:002022-07-23T17:46:17+01:00FABRICATIONSHQ - UK<p><em><strong>"The latest studio album The Language Of Curiosity is an excellent and savoury case in tasty point, but such musical breadth is also to be heard in the live environment, where no show (or song for that matter) is ever the same twice." | Ross Muir - FabricationsHQ</strong></em></p>
<p>A songwriting strength of the Starlite Campbell Band, formed around husband & wife team Simon Campbell (vocals, guitars) and Suzy Starlite Campbell (bass, vocals)) is the diversity – a mix of blues, rock, folk and harmony-pop sensibilities that continually push boundaries beyond the norm for such genres. It's a creative, smorgasbord approach that cleverly remains cohesive and musically focussed.</p>
<p>The latest studio album The Language Of Curiosity is an excellent and savoury case in tasty point, but such musical breadth is also to be heard in the live environment, where no show (or song for that matter) is ever the same twice.</p>
<p>Starlite Campbell Band Live! is, therefore, not any sort of definitive live performance/showcase because there is no definitive live showcase; every gig entertains, every gig is different, each with its own vibe (and always fun). Which means the fact this live album is culled from various years (the 8 tracks cover shows from 2018, 2019 and 2021, recorded in Bury and Oldham) actually serves better than a one-gig recording.<br><br>Take 'Brother' for example, the first track on the album and a song from Simon Campbell’s 2013 solo album Thirtysix – here it eschews its original four-minute studio arrangement to become an eight-minute pop-rockin’ blues, powered by a bubbly bass line and an extended instrumental break that’s as guitar funky as it is Hammond groovy (the latter courtesy of keys player Christian Madden, who features on the first four 2021 numbers).</p>
<p>And anyone thinking this is a band who are too diverse to blues it out need only listen to the 10-minute rendering of 'Cry Over You' from debut album Blueberry Pie; Simon Campbell’s yearning guitar lines (which are decidedly Moore-esque on the intro and finale solo) plaintively sit atop some great Hammond backing and a simple but tight rhythm from Suzy Starlite and the band’s resident drummer, Steve Gibson.</p>
<p>'Take Time To Grow Old,' from The Language Of Curiosity, retains the Beatles meets melodic blues charm of the studio version (bolstered by an endearing, reflective vocal from Simon Campbell); its album mate 'Said So' then cranks up the blues rocking tempo with its nod and a riff wink to 'Get Ready,' before hitting an extended, bass-driven instrumental section that features wailing Theremin and psychedelic guitar soloing.</p>
<p>The slow blues sway of Blueberry Pie number 'Guilty,' featuring Suzy Starlite on vocals, is another to get the extended treatment (through some really nice guitar play from Simon Campbell); the ThirtySix brace of 'Preacher Of Love' and 'Misgivings' then get a live airing.</p>
<p>The former, a funky riffed rhythm and rock blues, features Jonny Henderson on the rippling tones of the Hammond; the latter, also featuring Henderson, is a shufflin’ great jazz blues that jams out to twice its studio length, with impressive (and wonderfully fun) guitar call and Hammond answers.</p>
<p>The album closes out on a lovely version of 'Whiter Shade of Pale,' featuring Procol Harum organist Josh Phillips, who joined the band for their 2019 tour shows.</p>
<p>An oft-covered classic, the Starlite Campbell Band’s version, which remains faithful to the original, has an honesty about it that serves both the band and its place in the live set, well.</p>
<p>The Starlite Campbell Band may have a relatively small piece of the pie (Blueberry, natch), but it’s one of the tastier pieces, as last year’s The Language Of Curiosity and now the Live! album bears out.</p>
<p>Ross Muir - <a contents="FabricationsHQ" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.fabricationshq.com/2022-reviews.html" target="_blank">FabricationsHQ</a></p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70204532022-07-22T21:07:34+01:002022-07-22T21:15:32+01:00MUSIC NEWS - UK<p><em><strong>"Normally I would say that this track or the other are standouts but, to be frank, all eight tracks are standouts and have their own particular joys." "...and this is the best live album I’ve heard this year – without a doubt!" | Andy Snipper - Music News ★★★★★</strong></em></p>
<p>With a massive back catalogue of two albums in five years and only a few select gigs, Starlite-Campbell Band have some chutzpah in producing a live album. Except that both those albums got rave reviews in all areas of the music press, their shows have been intimate but fully sold-out affairs and their accumulated music industry experience runs into well over a century – oh, and this is the best live album I’ve heard this year – without a doubt!</p>
<p>Their musical style harks back to the great Blues rockers of the late sixties and seventies but it is also fresh and alive and, from personal experience, they are an absolute powerhouse of a live band, putting over their music with real passion and no little joy.</p>
<p>Simon Campbell (guitars & vocals) has been around the business for a long while, producing and playing guitar and his partner Suzy Starlite (Bass & vocals) is a songwriter, visual artist and multi-instrumentalist. Drums are handled by Steve Gibson while the keyboards on here feature Jonny Henderson, Christian Madden & Josh Phillips on different tracks. </p>
<p>So, to the album. It’s what happens when a bunch of superb musicians get together around some fine songs and play the bejesus out of them for the sheer bloody fun of it.</p>
<p>Campbell is a superb guitarist and between soloing and tearing out some fine riffs he also takes time to deliver his vocals with a sense of coolness and laid-back style. Starlite and Gibson lay down an absolutely solid back line, Gibson seems to be able to play in any style with ease and Starlite’s bass playing reminds me of both Tina Weymouth and John Entwhistle. The three different keyboards players on the album are all top players – Phillips is currently with Procul Harum, Johnny Henderson is one of the two or three ‘must have’ organists on the scene today and Christian Madden is with Liam Gallagher – and their different styles work perfectly with Starlite & Campbell across the piste. </p>
<p>Normally I would say that this track or the other are standouts but, to be frank, all eight tracks are standouts and have their own particular joys. </p>
<p>The album is exactly what I saw from the band on the occasions I’ve seen them live: top playing, a real sense that they are enjoying doing what they are doing and maximum professionalism holding them centred.</p>
<p>Andy Snipper - <a contents="Music News" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.music-news.com/review/UK/15129/" target="_blank">Music News</a></p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70192842022-07-17T12:25:00+01:002022-07-22T21:10:59+01:00BLUES ENTHUSED - UK<p><em><strong>"Starlite Campbell Band Live! confirms that this husband-and-wife pairing are under-rated gems of the blues-rock firmament. Their musicianship is top-notch, they write really good, smart songs, and they’re great fun." | Iain Cameron - Blues Enthused</strong></em></p>
<p>Suzy Starlite and her husband Simon Campbell aren’t averse to being a bit quirky, musically speaking, as some of the sounds on their last album The Language Of Curiosity demonstrated. But this live excursion makes clear that at heart they’re a throwback to an earlier time, and a brand of British blues-rock in which bands treated being on stage as an adventure, stretching and bending songs to get the most out of them.</p>
<p>This sensibility is underlined by the closing track here, a cover of ‘Whiter Shade Of Pale’, included in this set on the basis that Hammond organ duties were undertaken by one-time Procul Harum keys man Josh Phillips. It’s a song that has a soulful vibe, but of course alsoreaches out beyond a blues framework by appropriating a bit of Bach. Campbell may be at the edge of his vocal capabilities here, but proves it’s worth the effort with a dandy delivery.</p>
<p>The Hammond focus is no accident either, as the rest of the album demonstrates that Campbell, a wing-ding guitarist who can put lots of young guns to shame, loves to have an organ to bounce off. So it is that the opening track, ‘Brother’, runs to eight and a half minutes as all concerned bounce around in pursuit of different angles. And bounce is the operational word for a rhythmic groove centred on Suzy Starlite’s bubbling bass line. Campbell adds stinging guitar, and on this occasion Jonny Henderson delivers the classic, surging Hammond sound. They take it down for a stuttering, Morse Code guitar solo, and do some smart call-and-response guitar and organ stuff before they’re done. Oh yeah, and it’s a good song to boot, with a nifty hook.</p>
<p>A couple of songs, ‘Cry Over You’ and ‘Said So’, show off different sides of Campbell’s guitar prowess. The first is a blues ballad, but not by the numbers. It’s a romantic affair, with clever lyrical phrasing, and Campbell reinforces the mood with a swooning, gentle solo reminiscent of Gary Moore at his most melodic. And again, there’s a marvellous organ solo that captures the requisite sensitivity and drama. ‘Said So’ is an altogether different animal. At first a crunching mash-up of a ‘You Really Got Me’-type riff and a melody that owes a few quid to the Temptations, it downshifts into some moody meandering, before some wailing and bleeping guitar wrangling that sounds like it’s being transmitted from Space Station No. 5 heralds a psychedelic instrumental storm, in the course of which Campbell lets rip – to the evident satisfaction of the crowd at its conclusion.</p>
<p>The quality of the songs is an important factor though, as the reflective and melodic ‘Take Time To Grow Old’ demonstrates, even if its “na-na-na” vocal bridge is a bit daffy. Campbell still comes up with a gripping guitar refrain though, controlled in both pace and tone before a more explorative solo that eventually resolves into a closing theme.</p>
<p>Meanwhile Suzy Starlite produces a steady, patient vocal on the contemplative ‘Guilty’, with a classy melody over a spare backing consisting of metronomic drums, locked in bass, and flurries of understated guitar and keys.</p>
<p>‘Misgivings’ shows just how well they swing, on a bright shuffle with a lightness of touch and another strong chorus, while the rhythm section and organ combine marvellously to underpin a Campbell solo that sizzles without burning itself to a crisp, and Jonny Henderson produces another classy Hammond excursion as they shift up a gear. Only ‘Preacher Of Love’ – taken like ‘Brother’ and ‘Misgivings’, from Campbell’s 2011 solo album ThirtySix – leaves me wanting more. Not that it’s a bad song – it’s got drive and an intriguing twitchiness – but to my mind they’ve got a heap of stronger options in their locker.</p>
<p>Be that as it may, Starlite Campbell Band Live! confirms that this husband-and-wife pairing are under-rated gems of the blues-rock firmament. Their musicianship is top notch, they write really good, smart songs, and they’re great fun. If you hanker after that classic British rock vibe of yesteryear, then . . . Live! will satisfy your appetite.</p>
<p>Iain Cameron - <a contents="Blues Enthused" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bluesenthused.com/">Blues Enthused</a></p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70192832022-07-17T00:00:00+01:002022-07-22T21:15:32+01:00PLANET MOSH - UK<p><em><strong>"This highly impressive album ends on a goosebump raising take on ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’. A heartbreaking lead vocal from Simon leads to keyboard duties delivered fittingly by Procul Harums player Josh Phillips." | Dennis Jarman, Planet Mosh - ★★★★★</strong></em></p>
<p>Now there are live albums and there are LIVE albums. The Starlite Campbell Band on July 22nd 2022 release their LIVE album Starlite Campbell Band Live on Supertone Records. Following on from their first two studio releases Blueberry Pie and The Language Of Curiosity this live album recorded at the Met in Bury and the Grange Theatre in Oldham proves that their saying that they are “Flying in the face of disposable music and keeping the roots of rock alive” rings true! </p>
<p>Formed by the husband and wife duo of Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell, these lengthy eight tracks leave room for some thrilling improvisation, point proven by eight minute long opening track ‘Brother’. It’s hectic fiery funk that would have James Brown owning the dance floor. A helluva freaky jam of swirling keyboards and fretboard fury is pinned down by a seismic rhythm section and sassy lead vocals. </p>
<p>More axe attack comes from ‘Cry Over You’ as poignant blues lines share the spotlight with some full on serious string bending, a crooned lead vocal and soothing backing vocals. Keys come to the fore midway with a ‘Child In Time’ vibe. </p>
<p>‘Take Time To Grow Old’ is a beautiful ballad to tug at the heartstrings to convey a powerful message to make the most of our time while we can. It ebbs and flows on winsome melodies and ends on a P.A system rattling power chord. </p>
<p>‘Said So’ starts by kicking out the jams then puts its foot on the brakes for tender bass and guitar work until it surges back on bass heavy boogie, outrageous keyboard wizardry and the outro brought to mind Mahogany Rush era Frank Marino. </p>
<p>A song of beauty comes from ‘Guilty’ as Suzy takes the reigns to deliver a quivering lead vocal until guitar histrionics ensue. </p>
<p>‘Preacher Of Love’ is a rabble rousing rock and roller of snare driven fury. Riffs are a force of nature as touches of colour come from keyboard stabs. </p>
<p>There are no misgivings from me as the epic ‘Misgivings’ grabbed me from the opening shuffle. It’s a finger clicking jaunt and the midway guitar solo should raise every venue roof. A lengthy keyboard solo is out of this world made even more cosmic when the guitar decides to duel along with it. </p>
<p>This highly impressive album ends on a goosebump raising take on ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’. A heartbreaking lead vocal from Simon leads to keyboard duties delivered fittingly by Procul Harums player Josh Phillips.</p>
<p>Denis Jarman - <a contents="Planet Mosh" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://planetmosh.com/starlite-campbell-band-starlite-campbell-band-live-album-review-planetmosh" target="_blank">Planet Mosh</a></p>Starlite & Campbelltag:starlite-campbell.com,2005:Post/70192862022-07-16T12:00:00+01:002022-07-22T21:11:26+01:00MAKING A SCENE - USA<p><em><strong>"Campbell’s vocals are flawless. Infectious hooks, meaty jams, and innovative song-writing stand front and center, making Starlite Campbell Band’s Live album an exhilarating listen." | Phillip Smith - Making a Scene</strong></em></p>
<p>I’ve been hooked on Starlite Campbell Band since reviewing their first album, Blueberry Pie five years ago. That was such an amazing album. For their third release, wife and husband Suzy Starlite, and Simon Campbell took their songs on the road across the UK and wove together this delightful eight-track album of live performances with drummer Steve Gibson (Buzzcocks, Jack Bruce) and three organists Jonny Henderson (Matt Schofield, Kirk Fletcher), Christian Madden (the Liam Gallagher Band), and Josh Phillips (Procol Harum). </p>
<p>With a strong opener called “Brother” off Campbell’s 2011 solo album Thirtysix, the music kicks off with a funky beat backed by swirling keys and a driving rhythm. Their hot guitar licks and buttery bass sound fabulous. From that same solo album, they break out two more smokin’ blues-rockers: “Preacher of Love” and “Misgivings”. They both sound magnificent. </p>
<p>“Said So” from their 2021 Language of Curiosity album, ushers the listener through time and space with brush-strokes of The Kinks, Allman Brothers, and The Who, culminating into a mind-blowing psychedelic treat. With Josh Phillips behind the keys, they close the record with a beautiful cover of Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade of Pale”. Campbell’s vocals are flawless. </p>
<p>Infectious hooks, meaty jams, and innovative song-writing stand front and center, making Starlite Campbell Band’s Live album an exhilarating listen. It keeps my full attention from beginning to end.</p>
<p>Phillip Smith - <a contents="PhillyCheeze's Blues &amp; Rock Reviews" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2022/07/564-starlite-campbell-band-live.html">M</a><a contents="Making a Scene" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.makingascene.org/starlite-campbell-band-live/">aking a Scene</a></p>Starlite & Campbell