Valuable Friends

 

Valuable Friends

by Pete Clemons

The trio of Phil McWalter, Janine Levinson and Rick Medlock have been writing songs and making music for several years now. A dozen of those songs have been pulled together into a CD album titled 'Valuable Friends' – a vinyl option is also available. But wow, what an ear opener this is.

Being completely truthful Rick has been dropping me the odd track every so often, via sound-cloud, but I hav'nt really given them the time they deserve. Hearing the collective group of them on CD 'Valuable Friends' could well be this years undiscovered treasure, diamond in the rough, underappreciated release.

Phil's deep dialogues, transcendental guitar flights along with Janine's vocals all anchored by Rick's fierce, inventive drumming make 'Valuable Friends' a genre-bending journey through rock, fusion, Latin American motifs, and improvisation. Lines are blurred between speed and emotion with every note. The trio plays like one mind split in three bodies.

The album opens with 'Rent a Room' that begins with a crisp riff and strong drumming. It blends funk elements with the energy of a rock band. Following on, 'Ice Pick', brings on a completely different feel. It is here where the eclectic nature of this album begins to reveal itself. Suddenly it has a more atmospheric feel to it.

The whole album follows a similar approach, using an electro-rock aesthetic. Some of the tracks border on the soulful and could even be geared for the dance floor. It also showcases the trio's dynamic range and skilful drumming. It offers simple riffs and ambient textures, while providing a catchy, rock-infused progression.

There's an undeniable energy and long overdue unleashed potential. The desire to blend diverse influences is evident leaving the listener wanting more from this talented ensemble.

The highlight of the album, for me, is when the individual virtuosity of the members is given space to breathe, yet still contributes to a unified vision. For example, the interplay between Phil and Rick on guitar and drums shines through on tracks like 'Building Castles in This Hourglass'. Rick's drumming remains consistently impressive, forming a powerful foundation for the band's improvisational flights.

The CD album winds down with 'This Time of Year'. A track on which Janine takes complete control. Janine also created the artwork for this release.

Overall 'Valuable Friends' is a technically proficient album with moments of brilliance. A fully realised and consistently engaging work. This trio's commitment to exploration and their skill at blurring genre lines really is commendable. Listeners will certainly find things to enjoy in here.

Rick on Phil: I have known Philip McWalter for around 50yrs. Not only that but we have been making music and recording together all these years. It was Phil who introduced me to Kenny Young, this lead to many a happy hour recording with Kenny as a small part of Yellow Dog and others at his studio Lazy Moon in Brailes. Happy days....

View and hear sound bites from their album here.

https://elasticstage.com/valuablefriends/releases/valuable-friends-album

Coventry Theatre – Birthday and Spring Shows

 

Coventry Theatre – Birthday and Spring Shows.

by Pete Clemons

When it opened in 1937 the Coventry theatre was one of the most modern and best equipped theatres in the country. Many improvements were made but, certainly during the 1960s, could still make the boast of being 'Britain's finest theatre'.

It opened soon after a period of difficult conditions for theatre's in general which, in many ways, form a parallel to the present time.

The advent of talking pictures during the early 1930s had much the same effect as television in the 1950s, DVD in the 1990s and downloading/streaming today. Audiences had dwindled and theatres were closing or converted to cinemas.

However the directors of Coventry theatre had the belief that live theatre could be revived and audiences would return.

It was once mentioned by theatre managing director S.H. Newsome that the birthday show had been a popular event that began in 1931 at the previous theatre. The tradition of observance then continued in the new art deco venue. The first birthday show at the Coventry theatre was in 1938 to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the new theatre.

So successful was that first show that it managed to continue through the war. By all accounts, during 1940 and with bombs dropping, Evelyn Laye, Nat Jackley and the Two Leslie's were on stage !!. I'm sure there is an element of vivid local story telling in there somewhere.

Given what happened to the majority of the city centre during the bombing, Coventry theatre was almost miraculously spared from destruction. It was penetrated by several incendiary bombs and at least one high explosive bomb which failed to detonate. A small price given what happened elsewhere in the city centre. As such the theatre was able to play its part in maintaining morale in the city during those difficult days as well as raising substantial funds for various war time appeals.

Since those days the birthday celebration grew from a week long variety show to a full scale production lasting six weeks for which script writers, orchestras, choreographers etc prepared for several months in advance

At its height the birthday show figures were phenomenal. It attracted upwards of 100,000 people and saw audiences buying tickets before the announcement of a cast. The Glastonbury of its day if you like.

The Spring show was announced during 1959 and first opened Easter Monday April 18 1960 by a galaxy of stars that included Shirley Bassey and Ken Dodd. The show ran for a whole season duration between several months or even months.

The Spring show had been encouraged by the phenomenal success of the Birthday show. Audience pressure demanding similar shows of such magnitude made it an easy decision to make and thus expanding the theatre's reach.

Both the Spring show and Birthday show ran till 1976. Mr Newsome had a love for the variety production and without doubt it were those shows, along with the star studded pantomimes, that made the theatre prosperous and famous. But, in hindsight and with changing times, it could possibly have been at the beginning of the theatres downfall.