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Acoustic Alchemy
@ the PizzaExpress Jazz Club
12 December 2005
Click an image to enlarge.
Biography
Acoustic Alchemy was formed by Nick Webb and Simon James in the
early eighties. Greg Carmichael replaced James in 1985. Carmichael
had previously studied classical guitar at the London College of
Music, while Webb had studied jazz guitar at the Leeds College of
Music. Carmichael asserts that their quest was to create a unique
sound that would primarily showcase the voices of the nylon and
steel string guitar.
Their rise to fame, as with most talented outfits, came as a result
of a combination of hard graft and good fortune. Not long after
forming the band, they responded to an advertisement for acoustic
musicians to play aboard Virgin Airways transatlantic flights. This
would provide them with free return tickets to the USA and help
in their search for a recording contract. During an auspicious visit
they touted their tapes around Nashville, one of which came to the
attention of a producer (Tony Brown) who was forming a new label
– MCA Master Series. Within weeks they were signed and their
debut album – Red Dust and Spanish Lace was released in 1987.
The subsequent releases - Natural Elements in 1988 and Blue Chip
in 1989 – built on their growing popularity, principally in
America.
Acoustic Alchemy signed with GRP in 1990 and released their debut
album for the Label – Back on the Case - in the same year.
Their second album - Reference Point – heralded their first
Grammy nomination and epitomised the significant growth in popularity
that had been cultivated as a result of major airplay and substantial
sales in the US. They subsequently released Early Alchemy in 1992,
The New Edge in 1993, Against the Grain in 1994 and Arcanum in 1996.
In 1997 Nick Webb was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Webb and
Carmichael spent this time writing songs for what would become their
next album, Positive Thinking. Webb was not, however, well enough
to take part in recording the tunes that he had helped to write,
and John Parsons stepped in to play steel guitar on the album. Nick
Webb died on 5th February 1988, shortly before the album was completed.
Carmichael decided to carry on with Acoustic Alchemy following
the ground swell of support during the tour to promote Positive
Thinking. Miles Gilderdale, who was already playing the electric
guitar in the band, now started to play the acoustic steel guitar
as well. This significantly changed the sound of the band but maintained
the main focus of featuring the nylon and steel guitars.
Acoustic Alchemy released The Beautiful Game in 2000 and Aart in
2001,
both of which saw greater writing input from the rest of the band
and infused the tracks with a more vibrant vibe. These two albums
established greater airplay on UK radio, notably from Jazz FM and
increased the band’s UK fan base. They released The Very Best
of Acoustic Alchemy in 2002 and Sounds of St. Lucia and Radio Contact
in 2003.
Their current release is American English.
Acoustic Alchemy has a decidedly transatlantic feel to it given
its varying membership, however the main touring line-up include
Carmichael on nylon string guitar, Gilderdale on steel and electric
guitar, Frank Felix on bass guitar, and Fred White on keyboards.
In recognition of their core fan base, Acoustic Alchemy spends
approximately three months of the year touring in the US. The UK
fan base has remained constant despite the demise of Jazz FM. Throughout
its twenty year history Acoustic Alchemy has maintained Webb and
Carmichael’s mission to feature the voice of the guitar and
to communicate the band’s love of performance.
When asked what the band’s future aspirations were, Carmichael
states simply, “to win a Grammy and to write a hit instrumental
tune”. Given Acoustic Alchemy’s rich legacy, both are
within their sights.
© Sandra Simon 2005
Review
Though the name Acoustic Alchemy was not new to me, their music
certainly was. I had heard snippets of music from their earlier
days - but that was some time ago ‘when Jazz used to be played
on the radio’.
Oh how times have changed! Air play or not – Alchemy certainly
proved their popularity. This was a damp and bitterly cold December
Monday evening in London, but patrons quickly filled the seats around
the Pizza Express stage as though they were huddled around a cosy
fire in their own living rooms.
Alchemy’s fire started like a slow burning ember. Their latest
release “American English” featured highly on the menu
tonight – and with two Americans on stage (drummer - Greg
Grainger and saxophonist - Eddie M) the transatlantic connection
had more prominence than any starter or side dish from the Pizza
Express menu.
Carmichael and Gilderdale confidently established an unbreakable
rhythm with nylon and steel guitars. The hypnotic “Georgia
Peach” allowed the two musicians to harmoniously entwine like
naturally trusting twin ivy growing and supporting each other in
their own self contained pot. With a swiftly captivated audience,
Alchemy’s groove changed pace for the funkier mid-tempo George
Benson styled “Say Yeah”.
Each composition allowed the audience further insight into ‘Alchemy’s
worldly musical travels’ as a group - as well as insight into
the groups’ individual characters. The lively audience pleasing
“Detroit Shuffle” saw the band pay homage to both the
Northern Soul scene and the Motown vaults, with added lyrics from
James Taylor’s “How Sweet it is
(to be loved by you) and Holland Dozier Holland’s “Jimmy
Mack”.
Bass guitarist Frank Felix enticed the audience to bend and wine
with the Caribbean flavoured “Senjo Wine”, which was
delivered complete with full ‘bend and wine’ on stage
antics from Felix himself.
Together with Eddie M’s powerful punchy ‘saxy sway’,
Alchemy’s presence positively glowed by the end of their “Moon
And The Sun” encore.
Music lovers from many genres clearly appreciate Alchemy’s
collective ‘tour-de-force’. Being stage and recording
veterans, Alchemy are adept at making their loyal fans feel at home.
It was clear after this one night alone that their fan base will
continue onwards and upwards. It is also clear that Alchemy have
the stamina to maintain and build on their steady rise in popularity.
Musicians:
Greg Carmichael – nylon string guitar
Miles Gilderdale – steel string / electric guitar
Frank Felix – bass guitar, Fred White – keyboards
Eddie M - saxophone, Greg Grainger - drums
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd
December 2005
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