The Californians
- Laurel Canyon on the Welsh Coast - 2nd April 2008
Tania of www.rockphiles.com
It's 7:30pm prompt at Swansea Grand
Theatre, and the house lights fade down with an audience of
about 500 or so eagerly awaiting tonight's journey through the
nostalgic Laurel Canyon days. A local group of musicians - The Californians -
are playing one of two appearances announced in the UK so far
this year. Settled down in my 4th row seat, and the nine piece
band, including 2 bass players (the 'twins'!) and 4
vocalists/lead singers take their places on the stage to a
starry night backdrop of clear pin drop lights. The Doobie
Brothers, Listen To The Music, opens
followed by the memorable California
Dreamin' and most of the
audience, all of various ages, sing and clap along. An
introduction of "Perhaps we should call the West Coast,
Welsh Coast instead" is a fitting welcome for the band and
fans alike.
Terry Thomas, lead singer and guitarist,
sings an excellent Carolina In My
Mind, the first of a few James
Taylor classics and I could have sworn at times it was actually
James standing in front of me singing! The band go on to tell
us a story about James and Carly's relationship, before leading
on to the two female lead vocalists chance to shine under the
spotlight. First up is Julie Jackson, with two Carly Simon
numbers including a beautiful Coming
Around Again with strong vocals
hitting those high notes with ease. Then, Lorraine King, who's
well known here as part of the local Abba tribute as well,
introduces Carole King's I Feel The
Earth Move with a quip of
Swansea might not be San Francisco, but hope the earth moves
for everyone tonight!
CSN's Marrakesh
Express featuring 4 part
harmonies, and the feeling we were actually in Morocco for a
moment, followed by Lorraine as Joni Mitchell for Carey. Blue Bayou next, with Julie singing some great Linda
Ronstadt vocals before Terry taking back the spotlight for
another excellent number, Neil Young's Heart Of Gold, and
Lorraine playing a great harmonica solo.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, the Californians own version of this Carole
King original, sung by the girls before Julie retaking her role
as Linda Ronstadt for You're No Good. A rocking Jackson Browne
number, Doctor My Eyes, closed the first half nicely in time for a
short interval.
The boys open the second half with Fire and Rain, then
an impressive CSN's Hopelessly
Hoping. Next up, the Eagles, but
firstly with a surprise as Julie takes centre stage to sing
Linda Ronstadt's version of Desperado, a version i've never heard live before and
what a treat it is. Last but not least from the lead vocalists,
Jonathan Lewis, who introduces Take
It Easy with the story behind that
famous corner in Winslow, and the statue based on Jackson
Browne. Of course, I was itching to shout out been there, done
that after he said you all must go visit! Witchy Woman completes
the Eagles three numbers, with another rocking performance.
More Doobie Brothers, "Or should
that be Doobie Sisters" quipped the girls as they launched
into Long Train Running, and then a wonderful performance of Joni
Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi throughly enjoyed by the audience. You're So Vain and It's Too Late follow
with Julie and Lorraine as Carly Simon and Carole King
respectively. The boys, Terry up first with another Neil Young
number, Ohio, and the girls on backing vocals/harmonies, and next
Jonathan sharing the James Taylor lead role, sings a pleasant How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You). The nine piece becomes 10 for the final
songs, as Andy Jackson (Julie's partner) plays the saxaphone
parts as a special guest musician.
Julie sings another Carly Simon number, Mockingbird, before
one more song to end the evening, a lovely 4 part harmony of
Stephen Stills Love The One You're
With and an appreciative applause
from the audience as the band prepare to do their stage exit
bows. Band member intros are next as we are introduced to each
one in turn and we expect this to be goodnight. Or is it? .....
As Terry begins strumming his guitar on a stool, and the
spotlights flicker on again for the one and only encore, James
Taylor's You've Got A Friend, as our song to leave the Laurel Canyon night
on a high. Any hopes are dashed of another encore, as the main
lights come up once more. The Californians plan a few more
shows around the UK in the near future including a return to
home ground, so, if a night at the Laurel Canyon comes to a
venue near you - it is definitely worth a look!
http://www.thecalifornians.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/thecaliforniansuk
You can take the girl out of Wales, but you
can't take Wales out of the girl!
.
Hi to the Californians!!,
Just wanted to let you know that your
concert at the Queen's Hall Narberth on Thursday night was
fabulous!!!.
We were six friends there together and
everyone agreed that your music was the best performance we
have heard in years. It's hard to believe that you have
only been performing together for a short while -
congratulations!!.
One of my friends, having been there
himself, said that he wouldn't have seen a better show in Las
Vegas!!
Thanks so much for a great night out.
Please continue to keep the music of a wonderful
era alive. Incidentally, I noticed that the Queen's Hall is
having Richie Havens there on August 31 this year - wow!!
It's only a small venue but they do a great job in our
little corner of West Wales.
Hope it won't be too long before we get a
chance to see and hear you all again.
Best wishes for a great future!!
Paul Hanley
Saw the show in the Grand on Wednesday,
wonderful evening , thanks to you all .
Look forward to seeing again soon
Kind regards
Peter Williams
Hello to the Californians, was at you
concert last night enjoyed it very much cant belive you only do
it on a part time basis why?. My Lady and I go to the Grand or
pavilion when ever there is a band on, in fact we went to see
Buddy Holly and the Cricketers a week or two a go Hmm and they
were doing stuff all over the UK!!. So come on give the the
public some real music to listen to. Any chance of playing the
pavilion in Porthcawl some time soon...again thank you all for
a really great evening..
Best wishes to you terry n Maggie.
THE CALIFORNIANS
Be the first reader to comment on this
story South Wales Evening Post
10:49 - 04 April 2008
What an evening of wonderful music.We are
blessed in Swansea with an abundance of fine musicians and this
evenings concert was superb and I would even say the singing
and playing even better than the originals.Play on Californians
and please come back soon.
Joan Burgess, Sketty