REVIEW: Achilles Botes

ACHILLES BOTES
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY
THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER
Words and Photo by Charlette Hannah


It's only the second time I've seen Achilles Botes perform live, but his songs seem familiar already. He's definitely one of the more interesting solo acts, with his loop and various other pedals, slide and layered rhythms.

Achilles has a tuneful voice with a bit of a rock edge, and his songs are very catchy. He ranges from melodious folk to upbeat rock. He even threw in a Greek song.

The word that springs to mind when thinking about his song is earnest. Not a 'nice try dear' kind of earnest, but an open, honest, sincere kind of authenticity. It's a pleasure to watch.

Visit myspace.com/achillesbotes
Earlier review

REVIEW: Timothy Blackman

TIMOTHY BLACKMAN
HAPPY BAR
FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Words and Photo by Charlette Hannah


Arriving from Auckland just in time for his gig with Matthew Holleman, ex-Wellingtonian Timothy Blackman strode up on stage with his strapping frame and small guitar, and proceeded to tune with a pitch pipe. I decided I liked him. Sometimes people get so bogged down with fancy equipment and the professional image that it takes someone like Tim to come along and remind us what it's about. Which is music of course. But it's also about having fun and connecting with people, and this is something Tim does pretty darn well.

It wasn't a case of non-stop banter, but I still got an impression of strong humour, and someone who was there to have fun rather than sell CD's. Some of the guitaring was pretty simple, but it was more than made up for by his powerful voice. Vocal delivery was interesting; after one unusual song he admitted "got a bit silly there". Tim is certainly not your standard singer/songwriter.

All in all, it was tuneful and interesting, and a pleasure to watch.

Visit myspace.com/timothyblackman

REVIEW: Carol Bean

CAROL BEAN
THE WANTED SESSIONS
MIGHTY MIGHTY
THURSDAY 2ND AUGUST
Words and Photo by Bill in NZ

Recent additions to the music scene around Wellington are the "Wanted Sessions" at Mighty Mighty - on the first Thursday of each month.

The past Thursday had a treat for lovers of real music. Carol Bean opened, with backing by Jim Nicolson on bass, Costa Botes on guitar and harmonica by Lester Mundell on the occasional song.

Carol learned her guitar playing from Ry Cooder, and performs in several styles - blues, folk-blues, alt-country, roots, a bit of bluegrass, Americana - call it what you will, but this night let's call it alt-country at its best. Think of Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch - and you'd be close. Carol did songs by both, as well as some of her own songs.

Good music from each of the musicians, made special by Carol's vocals.

It was the kind of music and kind of winter night where one set by Carol and her band weren't enough.

For information on Carol Bean

www.carolbean.com/

and information on Mighty Mighty
myspace.com/mightymightybar

PHOTOS: The Stacks, Alien 8, Rude Mood

THE STACKS, ALIEN 8, RUDE MOOD
VALVE
FRIDAY 27 JULY
Photo's by Rosie Morgan

The Stacks

Geoff Day

Antz 'Maddog' Maddox

Alien 8

Shaun Cawston

Jared Wilkinson

Rude Mood

Antz Maddox under a different guise

SPOTTED BUSKING

SPOTTED BUSKING
COURTENAY PLACE
FRIDAY 20 JULY
Photo's by Charlette Hannah

Oli Gray

Mika Aloiai

Robert Macdonald