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Elly Roberts reviews
Parlophone
- June 2007
- Rating: 10/10
Two years ago it was the Magic Numbers. This summer its the Tiny Dancers.
Their new album, is going to set the pace for this summer, following their singleHannah, We Know released May 28 which got considerable airplay on BBC Radio2.
Tiny Dancers from South Elmsall are based in Sheffield; theyve toured constantlysupporting Richard Ashcroft, The Spinto Band and, yes, even Bob Dylan. Some CV.Now its their turn to hit the limelight with their rootsy and country tingedmusic. Some say they draw comparisons with their heroes The Band. They also havea great live reputation. Not only all that, but they can play too.
Starting in a big way, thumping drums (shades of John Congas Tokoloshe Man,well, for a bit anyway) and echoed bass bring to light 20 to 9, a growlingbuilder as David Kay lets rip midway. Even better, is the riff laden blockbusterpop tune (as pop goes in the 21st Century) I Will Wait For You. Even granddadwould love this hooky beaty beauty.
Queen fans might spot some Brian May like solos midway. Some of this remindsme of Supergrass at their best.
And onward we go with Baby Love (no not a Supremes cover), but a head noddingcatchy (hummable) classic next single? Me thinks granddad would probably likethis too, oh yes. Granddads having great time so far. Just to prove theyreable to not just hold a steady beat, they give us Shame, well ok, theresstill plenty to tap to.
Its a low key and countrified start for power ballad Ashes and Diamonds,which is sooooooooo gorgeous, that will make you and (even granddad) melt away,but maybe not as it climaxes to a higher level. Staccato handclaps precursor ahoedown like Bonfire Of The Night, which proves theyre not just a stadium bandin waiting. Theres something here that takes me back, in a funny old way to aLed Zeppelin B-side.
For me, Moon Song #2 is their weakest moment. This is followed by the happygo lucky Hannah, We Know, a delight by any standards. A dead cert for nextsingle to keep the summer thing going is another head nodder, Hemsworth Hallway,despite its title, and clucky middle bits.Showing their latent country tendencies, Sun Goes Down calls forth forsome line dancers for sure.
Coming as a big surprise is the spacey, ambient Deep Water which weavesits way on a clever and subdued beat, until it tries to roar at the pulsatingend. Phew! Hot stuff. Free School Milk please, to cool me down.
Weblink:thetinydancers.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. 20 To 9
2. I Will Wait For You
3. Baby Love
4. Shame
5. Ashes And Diamonds
6. Bonfire Of The Night
7. Moon Song #2
8. Hannah, We Know
9. Hemsworth Hallway
10. Sun Goes Down
11. Ive Got To Go
12. Deep Water
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.