Gig review: LUKE ELLIOT – Aces and Eights, London, 21 June 2016

Small underground bar and an intimate atmosphere with subdued lighting, candles and gilt lined mirrors – bit like being in a Sherlock Holmes story. The upstairs is a pizza/bar fashioned on 1950′s rock ‘n’ roll era. All in all an impressive venue and with many live music venues disappearing in London good to see this one keeping music live. Definitely one of the better live music venues currently in London.

Onto the music…first up singer/songwriter Alejandra Ribera who hails from Canada and currently resides in Paris. Her voice is the first thing that hits you, a little of Bjork and Joni Mitchell in there, certainly a voice that makes you sit up and take notice. Although she seemed to be struggling with a cold (she was a fan of Day Nurse!), it didn’t seem to affect her performance and I for one will be seeking to listen to more of her music based on tonight’s performance.

Luke Elliot is another singer/songwriter with a vocal that demands your attention. Backed by a violinist and bass player on a few songs, it was mainly Luke on guitar and keyboard. This was a stripped back run through highlights of his impressive ‘Dressed For The Occasion’.

He drips cool and class from his looks and musical style, how many artists open a show with a song where the protagonist is mourning the loss of his wife? ‘Trouble’ is that song and what a way to set the bar high for the rest of the evening. The timely ‘This Gun Of Mine’ was next and then came the song I personally think has radio airplay potential, ‘Get Them While Their Hot’.

He picked ‘People Like You’ as his personal favourite song of the album and I am with him on that (along with the aforementioned ‘Get Them While Their Hot’). His vocal and keyboard made for an attention grabbing performance.

What an impressive and moving performance, reinforcing all that I love about music and you can’t beat a live performance, especially when it features two rising talents like this evening. Luke Elliot is already making a name for himself in Norway and mainland Europe who seem to love his Americana/songwriter music. Have a listen to him and then go see him live, you won’t be disappointed.

Review by Jason Ritchie

Album review

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)