Leicester Music Round Up There’s not an awful lot to report. For some reason Leicester bands, artists and labels don’t send us their wares for review. Not a major problem - we get plenty of other stuff from everywhere else - but now we’ve a couple of local albums here, it’s undoubtedly time for a round up. Top of the (small) pile is Gren Bartley’s first proper solo record, Carry Her Safe (Musician Records). A native of Milton Keynes (Musician Records are Leicester based - in case you wondered), Bartley’s been making a name for himself with master fiddler Tom Kitching, ripping it up at various folk clubs and festivals, and securing a deal for themselves with the much respected Fellside Records. On Carry Here Safe, Bartley presents a full album of his own songs for the first time, and it’s stirring stuff. I’m not overly keen on using the “f” word in describing Bartley’s sound, he’s a guitarist primarily, with a keen ear for melody and a singer-songwriter with an understanding of pop hooks and structure. It’s a combination that’s served artists like Richard Thompson extremely well over the years, and Bartley may well find himself carving out an equally satisfying career over the next few years. www.grenbartley.co.uk Next up it’s Showaddywaddy. Stalwarts of the rock ‘n’ roll revivalist / retro / chicken in a basket scene, probably since the moment they got together when local bands The Hammers and The Choice decided to combine ranks. Over the years they’ve become easy targets, thanks to their cheesy synchronised dance steps, traffic light teddy boy threads and plentiful Xerox copies of early rock ‘n’ roll songs that didn’t need covering in the first place. If like me, you grew up with them in the ‘70s, you’ve probably had your fill, so best to move along, there’s nothing to see here. I, on the other hand, have a job to do, and today it involves the band’s latest long player, The Sun Album: I Betcha Gonna Like It (Voiceprint). Burying memories of their ‘70s heyday as deep as they’ll go, I approached the 18 tracks as would a Showaddywaddy virgin, my aural hymen intact, and keen to get past the initial pain and trepidation. Laying back and thinking of Leicester, seemed to work, and although 18 tracks was something of a marathon session for a first timer, it wasn’t without certain err... pleasures. They’ve recorded most of the songs - all associated with the Sun Studio in Memphis - live in the studio, and the record’s rawness and immediacy is appealing. Also the choice of material is far from obvious and in some cases inspired: tracks like Billy Lee Riley’s “Flyin’ Saucer Rock & Roll” and Tracy Pendarvis’ “Uh Huh Oh Yeah”. Overall, not too shoddy, and I hope I’m not overstepping the mark here, but a Showaddywaddy set on a sunny afternoon at Summer Sundae one year wouldn’t be unwelcome. www.showaddywaddy.net Rob F. Next Past Reviews: March 07, April 07, May 07, June/July 07, Sept/Oct 07, Dec07, Jan08, Feb 08, Mar 08