Share the post "Gig review: NO SINNER – Black Heart, Camden, 25 November 2013"
Many a significant rock career can trace its origins to shows in the back room of Camden’s various boozers so it was appropriate that hotly tipped Vancouver blues rockers No Sinner should have their UK showcase in one of the area’s lesser known venues, where a healthy crowd was in attendance.
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Beth Hart and St Jude’s Lynne Jackaman, the sassy Colleen Rennison is the undoubted star, with a feisty, powerful voice. In a figure hugging dress she oozed an earthy charm, even though the way she swigged alternately from a can of branded French lager and red wine straight from the bottle veered uncomfortably close to ladette territory.
There is an unashamedly retro feel to No Sinner and I was struck how strong their sixties influences where, be it on the sparse blues rock of ‘Work Song’ and ‘Wait’ or which had something of a Motown feel. This is only enhanced by the hairstyles and demeanour of guitarist Eric Campbell and bassist Parker Bossley, although they tended to lurk in Coleen’s shadows somewhat.
‘Rise Up’ had a jazzy edge to it, ‘Runnin’ featured some tasty slide guitar and by the time of the raunchy ‘Saturday Night’ the gig was warming up nicely and the band were tight. They ended with the single ‘Boo Hoo Hoo’, in a different mould again with its more spacious, bass driven grooves, Colleen departing the stage well before the band jammed out the song.
However she was tempted back for two encores in ‘If Anything’ and an obscure cover I had to look up, Cheryl Dilmore’s ‘All Woman’, which with its classic early seventies feel was perhaps the most memorable song of the night.
The blues rock field is a crowded one, in which it is hard to stand out when the wheel has already been invented. However on this evidence No Sinner are strong contenders to make an impact.
Review by Andy Nathan
Photos by Mark Hughes (MHP, exclusively for GRTR!)
The debut album from No Sinner is released on 20 January 2014 via Provogue Records
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
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 1 December 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 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Gig review: NO SINNER – Black Heart, Camden, 25 November 2013"