HARE AND HOUNDS

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 2021

I arrived to see a stage set out with Hammond and piano keyboards, a Lesley cabinet, a platoon of guitars lined up on parade, including an over under 12 and 6 bore beast, and not a Fender or Gibson in sight. Vintage Echoplex, a Theramin, and a pedal array that would disgrace a cathedral organ, adding to the brooding beasts awaiting there moment. Simon and Suzy arrived, joining the audience for a social chat, before the arrival of drummer Steve Gibson, and master of the keys, Christian Madden, kicked things into life, we were ready to rock. 

Straight off the album, and current single release, ‘Gaslight’, with its vintage Stones vibe, rolled out. Simon excorsised his Drake guitar, stood with Suzy, brandishing her new custom built Mike Lull bass. Christian’s Hammond helped whisk us off to, ‘Distant Lands’, a hint of things to come. The thick misty air, filled with the slow, moody blues of, ‘Cry Over You’, a particular favourite of mine, from the ‘Pie’ album, slowly baked, and full of silky fruit, an extended pleasure, the Hammond adding a dressing of whipped, airy cream, delicious. 

The song that set them out on the road, and a juicy slice of Blueberry Pie, ‘Walkin’ Out The Door’, maybe battered and bluesed, had Simon reaching down to the shuffle stick on his Echoplex, stretching and shaping the cosmic closing chords. The guitar slipped gracefully into fhe gorgeous soul drenched blues of, ‘Lay It Out On Me’, a beautiful composition that proved mesmerising, leaving all spellbound. Its outstanding on the recording, Live will always be different, shame you can’t bottle it and take it home for another swig. 

‘Guilty’, has Suzy taking lead vocals, on this slow confessional, Simon adds his solo, as the sultry funk rhythm throbs on, Steve holding down the timing as Suzy lays the bass line. We were rapidly heading toward the end of the non-stop, turbo driven evening, time to go a bit psychedelic, and step into the manic flight of ‘Said So’, Steve going flat out on drums, whipping up the storm, Christian is stratospheric, Simon is conjuring magic on the Theramin, a wonderful concoction. Simon has been bouncing round like a teenage punk rocker, defying his years, Suzy, in the guise of a starship trooper, had worn a huge smile all evening, whilst pulling those heavy strings, happy to be playing to the fans who appreciate an involving groove. ★★★★★

Graham Munn, Rhythm and Booze

HALF MOON, PUTNEY

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 2020

A few years ago Starlite Campbell released their first album together ‘Blueberry Pie’ and received a lot more than a smattering of good reviews, even being nominated for a Blues Award. 

Last night they made a rare live appearance in London (they were based in Isle Of Man and now Germany) and played a couple of terrific sets at the Half Moon in Putney that got my hunger for the new album (due in October) wound up to the point of salivating. 

The four – Simon Campbell on guitars, Suzy Starlite on bass, Steve Gibson on drums and guest Josh Phillips (Procul Harum) on Hammond & electric piano – played one of the tightest sets I’ve heard in years. The rhythm section of Starlite & Gibson hold the centre brilliantly, allowing Simon Campbell all the room he needs for his extensive soloing. 

As a live experience, they communicated with the crowd, made jokes and clearly enjoyed playing in front of a very appreciative crowd. The Half Moon allows a very intimate relationship between band and audience and I’ve seen a few bands come a cropper thereby staying aloof from the crowd – not so Starlite Campbell, they made the crowd a part of the band from the off. 

The very heart of their music is Blues but theirs is a very individual take and they manage to stay away from the usual clichés while still being instantly recognizable as a British Blues band. 

The opening numbers were from Simon’s solo album ‘ThirtySix’ and got the crowd well warmed up for a few tracks from ‘Blueberry Pie’ and a terrific version of ‘Heart of Stone’ before introducing a new number ‘Said So’ which will be on the upcoming ‘Language Of Curiosity’. Simon Campbell’s guitar playing all through was strong and his use of a venerable Echoplex FX box and a Theremin added some intrigue to ‘Said So’. 

The second set included an acoustic number ‘Hey Girl (What Do Ya Say)’ which is from a duo album they will be releasing in 2021 as well as more numbers from ‘Language of Curiosity’ and from the sounds of the new numbers, the new album should be something special. 

Starlite Campbell have a great sound and a terrific live show – can’t wait to see them again.  ★★★★

Andy Snipper: Music News, London. England.