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Every gig has a context, and this one is billed as triple anniversary show plus an album launch.
There was also an ambitious plan for an outdoor gig under the stars, which was scuppered at the last minute by a storm of biblical proportions with a huge deluge, thunder, lightning and the sight of wild life running from the nearby woods.
And as if to suggests the gods were against them, the band’s front man Dick Grisdale only manages to appear courtesy of medicinal help, though we barely notice.
So the band play on, and what a band!
Lazarus Heights is a celebrated Anglo-French melodic rock band who have been a fixture on the Dordogne gig circuit for well over a decade, but it is their recent recordings and the addition of the mighty drummer Jeff Gautier which has brought them local media attention and national tour last year.
The charismatic guitarist and baritone vocalist Dick Grisdale writes all the self penned material, while the band’s occasional wall of sound highlights their intuitive interplay on tightly arranged melodic rock.
The band is powered by the vivacious bassist Simon Pearson and powerhouse drummer Jeff Gautier who re-define the term engine room, as they explore significant grooves as a single unit. And in doing so, they leave enough space for Grisdale to connect his poetic lyrical imagery and emotive phrasing with the overall feel of a song.
Keyboard player Paul Mouradian provides the perfect harmonic accompaniment and subtle keyboard voicing to bring an element of grandeur to the band.
And tonight there’s a palpable ‘can do’ spirit to the proceedings bordering on swagger. They they open with ‘Strangers’, a song powered by Gautier’s nimble stick work and Grisdale’s lightness of touch and expressive vocals, which give the song an uplifting feel in contrast to the lyrical intent.
‘Dry Martini’ is a almost gothic. It’s a newer and heavier song built on power chords, cymbal splashes, an angular riff and noir style lyrics.
The mood lightens on a cover of Richard Ashworth ‘Songs for The Lovers’. Propelled by Simon Pearson’s opening bass line and topped by Paul Mouradian’s eerie keyboard sound, it brings fresh energy to the dancers at the front.
The band then slips into a beautifully worked ballad called ‘The Living Room’, on which Dick’s vocal evokes Scott Walker and Jacky Leven, as he digs deep to elucidate his own rich lyrical imagery.
The older more up tempo ‘Could It Be’ again reconnects with the dancers and perfectly captures the ebb and flow of a mellifluous set.
Then suddenly there’s a collective pause for breath, as Grisdale looks down at the floor and appears to want to share something of substance.
He does precisely that on the magnificent self titled ‘Lazarus Heights’, a slow building, show stopping anthem with a killer opening verse;
“It’s a sunny day at Lords, we’ve got their rain, Don’t worry, the tobacco company’s gonna pay;
A new man at number ten, so we can all breathe again, For a little while, ’till the bells of London ring.”
It builds to a booming chorus and a Dave Gilmour style solo resolution, while the whistled coda serves to give the enthusiastic reception an even greater impact.
A crowd pleasing version of ‘LA Woman’ seals the deal, before a staccato opening to ‘Waterfall’ gives way to a rock solid groove with a melodic hook. Paul Mouradian’s eerie synth solo coonect with the crowd and draws extravagant shapes from the front row dancers.
Grisdale then drolly announces “the next number is a tango” and then extends a pregnant pause,before recasting himself as an unflinching Alex Harvey on Brel’s ‘Next’.
Alain Bashung’s ‘Fantasie Militaire’ is equally left field and the band cleverly amplify the lyrical connection between romantic conflict and war, via a melodic opening and subsequent portentous feel, which is then ripped asunder by a psychedelic solo with staccato vocals.
The crowd then sing along with gusto on chorus of ‘Dive’ before Grisdale announces the title track of the new album.
Ordinarily this might elicit a collective groan, but tonight it is received with relish by a crowd who push the band to the limit.
Lazarus Heights seize the moment and head for 2 encores featuring a bristling cover of Zeppelin’s ‘Rock & Roll’ and a final climatic flourish on Christophe’s ‘Les Mots Bleus’.
The latter is a song about a lover’s inability to express their feelings through words, the complete opposite in fact, to tonght’s headliners who joyfully explore the essential connection between well crafted songs, melodic subtleties, a keen grasp of dynamics and performance art, in front of enthusiastic crowd.
A special mention too for tonight special guests, the veteran Yorkshire vocalist Ken Barrett (Frank White/Dave Berry/ Papa Groove) whose new band includes the excellent guitarist Francois Tolnai and bassist Aurnaud Maillard.
It’s comeback gig shot through with well received soulful Joe Cocker style phrasing.
Review by Pete Feenstra
Photos by Pascal Marais
Album review (Papillon, 2024)
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.
Latest session: Sunday 26 May
Next session: Sunday 29 September
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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 25 August 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 27 August 2024.
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12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
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