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Bristol born Lamborn, Catherine "Been" Feeney and truly stellar band of musicians who have played with everyone from Elton John to Dido are undoubtedly one of the best and yet one of the most underrated bands on the rock scene. And in front of a capacity crowd they really rocked the Temple Meads venue with songs like "2 into 1", "I'd do it for you" and of course "The Living Tree". This being a laid back "Home" gig, there were loads of covers too, including a 20 min long version of Zeppelin's "Whole lotta Love", The Who's "Pinball Wizard" and a stomping rendition of Bad Company's "Feel like making love" in which Lamborn's vocals were simply awesome. But it was the slow "Loser in love", with Lamborn's voice full of powerful emotion and honest passion that was the high point of a superb set.
Opening the evening was a Liverpool based band called the Elevaters. They produced a highly entertaining and varied set and the potential was obvious. Their song "Pieces" was especially good. Main support was Susy Thomas, who in a short set showed just why her debut album was in the charts.
Jan Eyton
I had it on good authority both the venue and NTB were going to provide some riveting entertainment, but nothing prepared me for what I got. This five piece band are now very experienced and know how to interact with the audience right from the off. Lead vocalist Nikki has an enormous sassy presence on stage and off. Nikki and Catherine "Been" Feeney write all their very original material. These women exude their souls in their music and lyrics. Women Blues fans all over the world can identify with this musical extravaganza.
On to the blokes... The lead guitarist is the fabulous Murray Gould, not only is he the most modest guitarist you could hope to see, he comes with a remarkable C.V. like the others in this band, having played with Elton John and Dido. His solo was just amazing, but he is a true team player and really rocks with the others. Drummer John Tonks too is a remarkable musician and has worked with Danni Minogue and Steve Winwood, proving his versatility. Greg Harewood is the bass guitarist and has played with James Brown, amongst other high calibre musicians. Greg clearly enjoys playing with the band and pulls off some astonishing riffs. Nikki has a huge powerful voice that can be likened to an angel or a demon: she has such a range and takes her singing very seriously. Been makes love to her keyboard; she puts so much feeling into her work. Her voice on "Kiss Kiss" is extraordinary and together with Nikki they work the band so tight. Been also loves her old 12 string guitar (with its brightness button) and performs beautifully on it.
We were treated to a rare performance of melodies and rock and blues. The audience went wild when they played "The Living Tree" from their Surprise album. The whole show was such a pleasure; for me the wonderfully simple but so effective "Count to Ten", requested by Val and Paul our hosts, was something I will never forget.
Over the course of the two gigs, the band performed sixteen songs. Their merchandise slogan "I'd Do It For You" is also on the Surprise album and their brilliant DVD entitled For Richer, For Poorer. It certainly did it for the audience, some of whom had travelled from as far away as Holland to hear them again. This band has a real followmg, and it is such a shame their stupendous talent is not recognized by the music industry here in the UK. We should be proud to promote raw talent and experience like you will see and hear at a Never The Bride gig. Talking of slogans. "Just Do It"
Helen Steele.
The expression "long overdue return" may seem something of a cliche these days, but in the case of songstress Nikki Lamborn and her band Never the Bride, it really has been far too long since their last visit to Torbay.
This coming Saturday evening, Nikki and Never the Bride return by overwhelming public demand to the Half Moon, in Paignton, and my only regret is I'll be on air between 8pm and 10pm and by the time I get back from the BBC Radio Devon's Exeter studios, the show will be over. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend that you get to the Half Moon early, because this gig is likely to be a sell-out. After all, the Torbay music scene is still buzzing with recollections of last year's astonishing Never the Bride concert at the same venue. To give you some idea of what you can expect at the Half Moon on Saturday, Roger Daltrey, of Who fame, has duetted with Nikki Lamborn on numerous occasions and he says "Nikki is the best female vocalist since Janis Joplin, and I should know what I'm talking about, I knew Janis Joplin"
I'd go even further. While writing this piece, I've been listening to the latest 15-track CD release by Never the Bride entitled Surprise and I don't mind telling you Nikki's remarkable voice has moved me more than Joplin's ever did.
Once again I have been surprised at the wealth of musical talent that appears to go largely unnoticed by the vast majority of music lovers. Never The Bride should be a band recognised by all, but like many on the UK circuit have been hidden away behind such dross as that dished out by the likes of Pop Idol and Fame Academy.
Nikki Lamborn possesses a talent that many modern day female vocalists would gladly die for. A power and presence that can most definitely not be ignored, and previously described as being a blend on Janis Joplin and Tina Turner, but I would add Joe Cocker, Robert Plant and Aretha Franklin to that list. Strange combination? Go see the band and listen for yourself.
Catherine ‘Been’ Feeney on keyboards displayed an energy to her playing that looks like it would hurt. And believe me this girl can really play. And both girls dig in to each piece with an apparent enthusiasm bordering on the manic. They seemed to be really enjoying themselves. Very few bands catch me enthralled like this. I actually bought a CD there and then. If you have never seen NTB before then do so soon. The next gig is already in my diary. And the next, and ……. Review by: Gary Stevens
The last time London based Never the Bride, played Wirral was in May at the Iron Door Club, and despite a sparse audience that night they were brilliant. I wondered what would they be like with a full house and a responsive crowd. Last night I got my answer – they were even more brilliant and simply stunning. It was a joy to see a band playing two excellent sets of about 98% original material, and playing it with a genuine passion and feel for both the music and the audience. Never the Bride is a five piece band which genuinely rocks – just ask anyone from the packed club. It features the extensive talents from two of rocks finest ladies, Nikki Lamborn on unbelievable vocals, and the virtuoso instrumentals of Catherine ‘the Been’ Feeney. When these two rock, believe me they rock, and you can’t help but rock with them. Backed by a superb combination of drums, bass and the fluid and nimble pickings of guitarist, Murray Gould, together with Been’s excellent and very visual keyboards and guitars, Never The Bride produced a high octane show with a more than healthy excess of the E factor - Energy, Enthusiasm and Excellence.
The band never gives you time to think about what’s happening next as it shifts quickly from song to song and mood to mood - I defy anyone to say that their feet didn’t tap or their heads didn’t sway from side to side during the two sets – Never The Bride is compulsive listening! Vocally and instrumentally Never The Bride is top class from the opening Two into One, to well over two hours later finishing off a breathless audience with the encore Welcome To My World – both songs taken from the respective latest Surprise CD and the band’s earlier, but still superlative self-titled album. In between, Never The Bride hit all the right notes with Ball and Chain, Loser In Love, Cry for Love and many others which included the masterful and compulsive The Living Tree – surely a smash hit by anybody’s standards? A couple of Zeppelin tracks thrown in for good measure, Nikki’s renditions of Mercedes Benz, Piece Of My Heart, and an impromptu tribute to the local Merseyside scouse connections of the Iron Door Club with a second set opener of The Beatles' classic Help! The audience response ensured that Never The Bride were inaugurated as adopted Scousers and Wirralians – and we always support our local talent!
One thing’s for certain, Never The Bride don’t need help musically, however, we must look at the fact that such a wonderful band as this needs to have recognition on a major scale – without auditioning for tripe like Fame Academy or Pop Idol. Never The Bride are the complete works, they are the finished article, they are the epitome of what rock bands are and should aspire to be all about. As Robbie from The Iron Door always quietly (!!!!!) puts it – they are the best band in the UK - no arguments there, Robbie. A plea to Never The Bride – come back soon! A plea to rock fans everywhere – buy this band's CDs, get them gigs in your local area, if we don’t try to support them (and other such talents) bands as good as this will eventually disappear and you’ll all have to put up with a minidisk playing backing tracks – sheeesh! – you have been warned!!! To anybody reading this review, some simple and logical advice – if you’re feeling down or low, ask your doctor to prescribe a course of Never The Bride to be taken at least twice a day – listen to them or go and see them because it cures all ailments! Reviewed Maddie 17.8.03
Never the Bride - Iron Door 3 May 2003 "Probably the Best Band Around"
It's a Thursday night in downtown Birkenhead, and due on stage at The Iron Door live rock venue are London based rockers Never The Bride. For some inexplicable reason the band had been billed in the local press as a Led Zeppelin tribute band. This was quickly corrected by the band's charismatic lead singer Nikki Lamborn. Never The Bride do indeed play a few covers including classics by Led Zeppelin but they are very much their own band. NTB's self-penned material is plentiful and excellent as demonstrated by their four superb albums. Sometimes described as the sound of Janis Joplin, Robert Plant and co rolled into one this description in truth does not really do them justice. In essence NTB's sound is their own - a blend of superb keyboards, guitar, bass and drums weaving structured and distinctive songs as the backdrop for the truly superb voice of Nikki Lamborn. The songs are powerful as is the bands performance. Have a look at the comments in their guest book on their web site to get a feel for the tremendous response they generate from their audiences.
Never the Bride were making the first appearance in this neck of the woods - and not a moment too soon. The five-piece band hit the small basement stage at the Iron Door kicking off with a 2 into 1, a track from their 1995 Atlantic self-titled album. A great start to a great performance. Throughout Nikki stalked the stage commanding events together with keyboardist, backing vocalist and part time guitarist Catherine Feeney (Been) who also writes most of the bands songs. One thing is for certain , despite a smallish but highly appreciative audience, they still put on a top rate show and played as if they were entertaining a festival sized crowd - which is certainly what they are capable of doing in style. They played for nearly two hours during which time they extracted songs from all their albums including latest album Surprise. NTB have supported many top names over the years including ZZ Top and Roger Daltry and later this year they are support band to The Pretenders. NTB mainly play in the South East and Bristol areas.
Unfortunately Thursday night is not the busiest night of the week in terms of turn out by Wirral audiences but those who had the privilege of being there saw and heard one of the very best live rock bands in the country.
If you want to hear something more than a bit special then get hold of a Never the Bride cd or better still get along to see the band live. I guarantee that there is no way you will leave disappointed.
Tragic Sally - May 2003
When I was sixteen years old, I climbed out of my bedroom window, stole the neighbor's car, picked up my best friend Peggy, and drove to Greensburg, Pennsylvania to do a 'meet and greet' with Wendy O Williams. She stepped out from behind the bar wil black electrical tape over her nipples, shaving cream foamed over her privates, and blew up a television set. I knew then that God was to be a very integral part of music & women in my life.
Oh yes, there have been a few rocker women in my life throughout the years. I was too young for Janis, although I have worn out every album I have ever owned. I always identified with Bobby McGee. Then there was Cher, Nancy and Ann, pat, Stevie and of course Melissa. These women have changed the face of music. Many generations have fallen in love with them over and over again throughout the years.
I stood up front at the Viper Room for the first live American performance of Never the Bride. the experience was reminiscent of my first Wendy O encounter. Nikki Lamborn kicked ass with her hard core vocals while Been's harmonic sounds backed up the band. They have been together for eight years, writing and mixing sounds all the way. Look out...they're next... Big Time.
My advice is simply this :
1. Run, don't walk to buy this album
2. Buy two - you will want your friends to have a copy.
3. Go to every live performance possible.
Never the Bride is another fresh band destined for chart success. Upon release of Encomium, a Led Zeppelin tribute compilation, disc jockeys in Northern California began giving heavy rotation to Never the Bride's contribution of "Going to California" under the false pretence that it was actually Melissa Etheridge performing under a fake band name. Given singer Nikki Lamborn's powerful and raspy vocal performance, the mistake is understandable.
However, as evidenced from the band's debut, once the other four members kick in, Never the Bride forges its own distinctive heavy rock sound - with Lamborn's beautiful voice rounding out the edges. The band's introduction to American audiences via the sentimental ballad found on Encomium may give listeners the wrong idea about the band.
While Never the Bride does have its share of power ballads on their debut, the band's strength lies in its bluesy and soulful heavy rock numbers which stand as the majority on the disc. Lamborn's passion and vocal intensity is more reminiscent of Zeppelin's Robert plant than Melissa Etheridge.
Lamborn, an ex-hairdresser, got together with friend Catherine Feeny, an ex-taxi-driver turned keyboard player & guitarist decided their hearts were more into music than menial go-nowhere service jobs. The pair formed Never the Bride with three colleagues, Chris Childs on bass, drummer Frosty Beedle, and Doug Boyle on lead guitar. Within a short time, the band developed such a strong following in the UK that they already have a fan club and merchandising patent.
ROCK legend Roger Daltrey headlined the UK premiere of the British Rock Symphony in the Hampshire countryside, surrounded by sheep, clover fields and 4,000 music fans. Many drank champagne, ate strawberries and brought picnic hampers, tartan rugs, chairs - and even potted plants. Others waved Union Jack flags and shone lanterns as the sun went down on this perfect English summer day. On Friday, the grounds of the 18th century Somerly House outside Ringwood were the setting for one of just four open air venues chosen for this unusual tour - a symphonic combination of classical and rock musicians performing over 50 British rock masterpieces. Musical director/conductor Keith Levenson leads the symphony through three "thematic suites", entitled Universe, Peace and Celebration. And through it, he paid tribute to legendary composers such as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Peter Townsend and Robert Plant. Atmospheric Pink Floyd numbers from Dark Side of the Moon featured stunning vocals from Darleen Love. But Paul Young, a big draw from many with his distinctive and expressive soulful voice and hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat, was a disappointment. With his history of throat problems, his voice was very weak and other singers helped him out almost as soon as he started. The mood lifted the moment Daltrey arrived. Lean, mean and vocally as strong as ever, Daltrey at 55 has the energy and the enthusiasm of a newcomer but the talent of a legend.
Start Me Up, See Me, Feel Me, and Listening To You drove everyone wild. The second half was better still. The very talented Nikki Lamborn of the group Never The Bride, shone with her rock rendition of Stairway To Heaven. The voice of Darlene Love blended beautifully with Daltrey's on Let It Be.
And it was a joy to hear Gary Brooker - the voice of Procol Harum perform Whiter Shade of Pale. Daltrey's second set, including Pinball Wizard and You Better You Bet, culminated in a grand finale with fireworks and all performers joining in A Little Help From My Friends.
Daltrey, who had clearly enjoyed every minute, left explaining "We kicked off with this because we are determined to keep the music of my generation alive in some kind of form."
What do you get if you cross those big-selling 'Classical Rock' albums with compilations of 60s and 70s rock standards? Answer something like the British Rock Symphony, which starred The Who's Roger Daltrey and attracted a field full of thirty and forty-plus fans anxious to re-live their their youth.
The idea is simple - put together an orchestra, a gospel choir, a rock band and some guest vocalists, get them to perform songs everyone knows and can sing along to, finish it off with a spectacular firework display and, hey presto, one happy audience. So we had Darlene Love belting out 'Jumpin' Jack Flash', Paul Young getting his tonsils around 'Imagine' and Procul Harum's Gary Brooker resurrecting 'Whiter Shade of Pale'. Things didn't really start hotting up until Roger Daltrey appeared at the end of act 1 to perform a medley of 'Start me Up', '5:15', 'See me,Feel Me' and 'Listening To You'.
The show was nearly stolen at the start of the second
act by Nikki Lamborn of new band Never the Bride, whose version of Led Zeppelin's
'Stairway to Heaven' was stunning. Daltrey quickly
grabbed back the honours with 'You Better You Bet', 'Pinball Wizard' and 'Who are you?'
The Midlands can be proud of its contribution. As well as providing the stunning backdrop
of Ragley Hall, the region also contributed the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra
and the Voice of Gospel Singers.
It was one of the most civilised rock events I've attended. Everyone was encouraged to bring a picnic so it was chilled wine and smoked salmon. It did seem strange, though, to see one group of concertgoers serving up fresh fruit salad as 'Give Peace a Chance' was being performed on stage.
Andy ColemanNEVER THE BRIDE The Half Moon, Putney
Thursday night at The Half Moon usually boasts a good band or three.
Last night was perhaps an exception to this rule as the band that headlined were more than
good. The word 'excellent' comes to mind. And the band?? They were Never The Bride - well,
half of them.
Fronted by the Girls: Nikki Lambom on vocals and Catherine Feeney AKA 'Been' (don't ask)
on the rest, the musical talents when touring have included the likes of Chris Childs
(sound familiar? he should be as he now plays bass for an up and coming band called Thunder) and on Dougie Boyle
(who has toured with Robert Plant, no less). However, in between tours and recording
sessions, the girls play out as a duo with the rest of their band
trapped in an electronic box and tied up with backing tapes (kinky!). This doesn't make
the show any less enjoyable though. With powerful and emotive material to
rock with, Nikki's vocal talents fly somewhere between those of Janis Joplin and Tina
Tumer, and she is nothing short of sensational herself. The excellent Been being in charge
of all the instruments, harmonises beautifully when she isn't doing the lead vocals
herself.... But enough of that for now.
Kicking off with a number from their debut album ('Never The Bride') called 'Cry For
Love', the show launched with all the power of a
Saturn Five rocket. This was followed on a softer
note with Been on vocals and a number called 'She Knows', giving Nikki a short rest before
steam-rolling into a powerful and emotive track 'Everywhere'. The next number performed
can only be described as epic and as well as their newest number, is their best yet.
Called 'The Living Tree', it is an awesome piece and
being worthy of a Bond movie sound track, is a hard
act to follow but, the rest of the set continued to form with powerful offerings ranging
from riffing good rock to sublime ballads. Other numbers played included 'Slow, Slow',
'I'm Alive' and they finished with the only other oldie from the album:'My World'. Nikki,
better then ever, is outrageous, raunchy and a born entertainer. Been is the perfect
counterpart and between them they put on an energetic and electric performance. Having
said that though, I do look forward to seeing Never The Bride back on tour with the whole
band playing again as nature intended. In the mean time if you get the opportunity to
check them out, do so. I know I will and if the new material they are producing is all as
good as what I've heard so far, the next album should be a killer.
Image & Words: Babz B.
Flamboyance in soft rock like you’ve never seen before, grace in a ballad that soothes your soul, power in a voice to die for, and an attitude that is pure rock ‘n’ roll. What makes Never The Bride so f***in’ good, is the friendly way in which everything is presented, the life and sheer energy in every song. But more that this is the catch and hook, holding you attention to the music and presence of every chord. There really is only one way in which to sum this album, and it’s this. The original copy of the album is no longer in my possession. It’s been nicked, and I’ve been told it won’t come out of the culprit's player. Luckily I’ve got a four track CD sampler for the review, and there’s enough Never The Bride in every note to know what’s going on - plus I’ve listened to the full album just a couple of times.
Female fronted rock quartet from the UK was first heard several months ago belting 'Going to California' on the Led Zeppelin tribute album Encomium. On this first single from the act's eponymous debut, they come on like a hybrid of early Heart and Janis Joplin, serving up the kind of slick, guitar-driven, blues-rock that album rock often embraces.
Pretenders to Janis Joplin's throne have been crawling out of the woodwork ever since the poor woman went the way of all doomed rock stars in 1970.
The crown has never quite fitted, until now. Arise Nikki Lamborn, singer with Never the Bride, who makes the late lamented Janis sound like Kylie Minogue. This woman has a voice dripping with raw emotion.
The sound check alone nearly blew me out of the bar at London's Blues West 14 club, and the set itself was riveting. Never the Bride are two women, Nikki accompanied by The Been on keyboards, plus backing band.
They mix their own songs with blues and soul classics, they've just signed to Atlantic, and they are going to be huge. Hear them now, while it's still cheap.
An ex-hairdresser and a former taxi driver form the nucleus of
London's Never The Bride. Vocalist Nikki Lamborn and keyboardist-guitarist Catherine
"Been" Feeney cut a soulful cover of "Going To California" as
part of their demo. The folks who put Encomium together liked it so much they put it on
the Zep tribute
album. Lamborn's vocal on the track bore an uncanny resemblance to Melissa Etheridge, so
much so that a couple of stations added the track, thinking it was Melissa singing under a
fake band name. Now a 5-piece band. Never The Bride's inaugural single is your basic Rock
ballad, deftly produced by Ron Nevison.
Lamborn gets in your face with an intimate and
passionate delivery destined to draw comparisons to both Meliasa and Janis Joplin.
A quick scan of the charts reveals a very large hole where a ballad can go, and when you think about it, breaking a new female artist at the ballad level isn't as tough as it sounds. You obviously can't draw from the Hot A/C female balladeer side and retain rock image. And we 've got rockin' Melissa tracks rolling now. London 's Never The Bride features a very tantalizing female vocal that runs with Melissa, Tina and Sass on the passionate level. The band appeared on the Encomium compilation with a stirring version of Going to California, and are managed by the Trinifold group (Townsnend's manager, as well as Plant & Page's). Seasoned by hundreds of gigs ranging from festivals to funerals, the emotive capacity of vocalist Nikki Lamborn is right up there with the greats. Obviously not an easy record but different enough to get noticed. Atlantic's made home runs out of curve balls before, so keep an ear peeled.
Some facts about the London-based duo of Never The Bride: many
folks added their cover of Going To California from Encomium thinking it
was Melissa Etheridge performing under an alias; singer Nikki Lamborn and
keyboardist/guitarist Catherine "Been" Feeney did more than 250 gigs a couple of
years ago; Doug Boyle, who has toured with Robert Plant, is their new resident guitarist;
Nikki can belt out the hard rockin' blues.
Loser In Love, from Never The Bride's
self-titled debut, is the kind of well-produced, bluesy rocker that should become a winner
with your upper demos, so start it out in the appropriate
daypart and watch it perform.
The group Never The Bride is basically a lead guitar, bass and
drums backing up the vocals of Nikki Lamborn and guitarist/keyboardist Catherine Feeney. I
first came across the band on the Led Zeppelin tribute called Encomium, where
they did a song called Going To California. While that song was striking for its
acoustic simplicity. their self-titled debut has more bite. Lamborn has a Melissa
Etheridge-
styled voice. Loser In Love is the disc's best song and when this disc comes out
on July 11, look for these two girls to get some airplay and national attention
Album: "Encomium"
Label: Atlantic Records
Type of music: Led Zeppelin classics revisited by some of today's hottest bands
The good: Three songs rise to the top: "Down by the Seaside" by Tori Amos and Robert Plant; Stone Temple Pilots' version of "Dancing Days"; and "Going to California" by Never the Bride. "Dancing Days" distinguishes itself from the other songs on "Encomium" in that STP doesn't try to copy Zeppelin exactly. Instead, they put a more mellow spin on the song. Amos' voice, used more for background vocals, perfectly complements Plant. On "Going to California," lead singer Nikki Lamborn, whose voice evokes Melissa Etheridge with more potential, shows incredible range and emotion. It's interesting that Never the Bride, a sparsely heard-of band, would so outdo all these other bigger-ego bands.
The bad: It's difficult to pick the worst. Sheryl Crow's "D'yer Maker" and Duran Duran's "Thank You" are pretty horrible. Crow's Grammy for 1994 Record of the Year cannot save her cooing, which seems better suited for a phone sex line than a rock album. Duran Duran's flop on "Thank You" is not much better.
How does "Encomium" compare with original Zeppelin? "Encomium" is called "a tribute to Led Zeppelin," but it might as well be a Robert Plant tribute album. In essence, "Encomium" serves as a tribute on two levels. First, these bands are saying, "Hey, we really respect this song enough that we'd like to give it a shot." Second, after hearing the inferior results, one can easily see that Led Zeppelin is all the greater.
All in all: With a tribute album such as "Encomium," comparisons to the original band, while often unfair, are inevitable. The real question is whether the songs are worthy on their own merits. The answer for "Encomium," for the most part, is a resounding no.
Indifferent sales haven't stemmed the flow of tribute albums. and
this week sees the release of two more - Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles.
which features 16 country acts plus Huey Lewis. and Encomium, a tribute to Led
Zeppelin. executed by acts
Including 4 Non Blondes. Sheryl Crow and Duran Duran (Thank You makes its third
album appearance in two months). New band Never The
Bride nearly steal the show with a simple but effective piano 'n' strings version of Going
To California while Robert Plant turns up to
share vocals with Tori Amos on Down By The Seaside.
VARIOUS Encomium (Atlantic): The latest on a tide of tribute albums, this turns the attention to Led Zeppelin, but often suffers from being overly respectful in rtarely straying too far from its source parameters. Indeed at its worst 4 Non Blondes (Misty Mountain Hop), and Blind Melon (Out On The Tiles) could bea uditioning for a copycats show, while Sheryl Crow proves disappointingly unimaginative in sticking to the original reggae rhythms of D'Yer Maker.
Dismlssing Duran Duran's preposterously concrete-footed Thank
You (from their own covers album) and passing swifty over the pummelling Rollins
Band's Four Sticks and Helmet's grungey Custard Pie, there are rich
rewards in the relaxed southern soul colorisations of Hootie and The Blowfish (Hey Hey
What Can I do). Stone Temple Pilots (Danclng Days) and Big Head Todd and the
Monsters (Tangerine).
Robert Plant even turns up to pay tribute to himself, joining Tori Amos (who's already
recorded a deconstructed Whole Lotta Love) for a sparse, spikey and swamp-spooky
Down By the Seaside, but, on my CD at least, the
Stairway to Heaven arrives at hitherto unheard of female plano/vocal duo Never The Bride,
whose dramatic reading of Going To California manages to overcome the dated
hippie lyrics.
Never The Bride -
Never The Bride
Heart skirt / Atlantic Rec. / Eastwest / Warner / 7567 82768 2
To which Promo information from labels is nevertheless good: Before I had read the thing, I could have sworn that the tape Never The Bridge is called and somewhere is in the USA at home. First is to be surely due to ' nen eye error meinerseits. That it concerns a Londoner tape, I would have wanted to never believe. The debut of the five British (two women and three men) sounds very American and reminds when hearing of the Wilson Sisters of Heart to their best days. Many acoustic guitars (now and then country moderately angehaucht), straight-line Songs and one suctionhurries voice: those are the flags for the sound of Never The Bride. The tape rockt straight off and keeps the voltage elbow between violent and schmusigen pieces upright over the entire CD. Simply class! HP: Who has the LED of tributetribute tributes " Encomium ", to "California" version can hear of Never The Bride as sample times into the very good " Going.
Thomas Aulenbacher © more discover
If you ever find yourself craving a solid, multi-dimensioned rock album to add to your collection then give Never The Bride a whirl. Vocalist Nikki Lamborn, who sounds similar to the cherished Melissa Etheridge in a scary, uncanny way, is simply fantastic as demonstrated in the mellow yet sultry highlights ‘Loser In Love’ and ‘3 Good Reasons’. ‘Saving Grace,’ which opens the band’s debut in a tangy, roots based fashion, sets the tone for an offering that impresses straight to the end. Doug Boyle shines on guitar while the delicate and sometimes melancholy piano finesse of Catherine Feeney cradles Lamborn’s sweet style throughout. This one’s got it all. Emotion, style, and charisma. It’s a keeper
