Ian Siegal – One night in Amsterdam

British Singer-songwriter Ian Siegal has won seven British Blues Awards and has been nominated twice for the U.S Blues awards.  He released his first album in 2002, but it wasn’t till last year that he released his first live album.  Now he’s following it up with another live album.  Two live albums that close together may sound slightly crazy, but there is a sensible explanation.  Last year’s live album, “Man and guitar” was him performing solo doing an acoustic set, whereas “One night in Amsterdam” is a full band performance and is electric, so the two albums show totally different aspects of his music.

“One night in Amsterdam” was recorded at Amsterdam’s North Sea Jazz club, a small venue that despite the name doesn’t just put on Jazz acts.  The small venue size does come through as you listen to the album as it has a nice intimate atmosphere.

Brief comments on a few tracks…

The album kicks off with the rock and roll style “I am the train”.  That guitar opening really does have that 50’s or 60’s rock and roll sound, and the fast urgent nature of the song works well with it.  That’s not to say it’s a rock and roll song – just that it has elements of it along with the blues.

“Early grace” is a slow song with a sad feel.  The slide-guitar is beautifully done, really adding to the sound without ever distracting from the vocals.

“Gallo del Cielo” is a Tom Russell song about a cockfight.  Having listened to both the original and this version, there is a big difference in how they sound musically – different styles of music, and approach to the song, and Ian Siegal really has done a superb cover here – I prefer this version by a fair margin over the original – I think Ian Siegal’s version conveys the emotion better for a start.

“Love hurts” is a song first recorded by the Everley brothers, and one that has also been covered by Nazareth.  On this song, Ian is joined on vocals by Tess Gaerthe from aDutch indie band Ashtraynutz.  The combination of the two voices sounds great and it’s a great version of the song.  As with “Gallo del Cielo” it’s great to hear a song being given a different sound as an artist covering it takes the song and re-imagines it to give a very different sound from sometimes relatively minor changes.

It’s a great album that’s well worth a listen.

“One night in Amsterdam” will be released on 9th March 2015

Track listing:

1. I am the train
2. Brandy balloon
3. Kingdom come
4. Introduction
5. Writing on the wall
6. Introduction
7. Temporary
8. Early grace
9. Gallo del cielo
10. Queen of the junior prom
11. Love hurts
12. Please don’t fail me

There is also a free bonus track, “Hard Pressed” which can be downloaded on entering the key included with every copy of the CD.

IAN SIEGAL MARCH 2015 UK TOUR
BOOK ONLINE: www.iansiegal.com

CHESTER, LIVE ROOMS
TUESDAY 17th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £16 / Box Office: 0871 220 0260
Book Online: theliverooms.com
1 Station Road, Chester, CH1 3DR
theliverooms.com

GLASGOW, STEREO
WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £16 / Box Office: 0141 222 2254
Book Online: Synergy Concerts.com
22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, G2 6PH
Stereo Café Bar Website

ABERDEEN, JAZZ FESTIVAL
THURSDAY 19th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 0845 111 0302
Book Online: Aberdeen Jazz Festival
Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1BU
www.jazzatthebluelamp.com

HARROGATE, RIPLEY BLUES
FRIDAY 20th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01423 860340
Book Online: ripleylive.com
Town Hall, Ripley, Harrogate, HG3 3AX
ripleylive.com

DERBY, FLOWERPOT
SATURDAY 21st MARCH 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01332 834 438
Book Online: www.rawpromo.co.uk
25 King Street, Derby, DE1 2DZ
www.flowerpotderby.co.uk

SCARBOROUGH, TOP SECRET BLUES FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 22nd MARCH 2015
Tickets: £48 / Box Office: 01723 821888
Book Online: Scarborough Spa
Spa, South Bay, Scarborough, YO11 2HD
Scarborough Blues Festival Website

NEWCASTLE, CLUNY
TUESDAY 24th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £16 / Box Office: 0191 230 4474
Book Online: See Tickets
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 2PQ
The Cluny Website

BOLTON, RAILWAY
WEDNESDAY 25th MARCH
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01204 306 450
Book Online: Railway Venue Website
37 Chapeltown Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton, BL7 9LY
Railway Venue Website

BRISTOL, TUNNELS
THURSDAY 26th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 0845 6050 255
Book Online: thetunnelbristol.co.uk
Bristol/Exeter Mews, Lower Approach Road,
Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QF
thetunnelbristol.co.uk

NORWICH, ARTS CENTRE
FRIDAY 27th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £15 / Box Office: 01603 660 352
Book Online: Norwich Arts Centre Tickets
St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, NR2 4PG
Norwich Arts Centre Website

LONDON, JAZZ CAFÉ
SATURDAY 28th MARCH 2015
Tickets £17.50 / Box Office: 0844 847 2514
Book Online: ticketmaster.co.uk
5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG
TheJazzCafeLondon.com

SOUTHAMPTON, TALKING HEADS
SUNDAY 29th MARCH 2015
Tickets: £12 / Box Office: 02380 678 446
Book Online: TalkngHeads.co.uk
320 Portswood Road, Portswood, SO17 2TD
TalkingHeads.co.uk