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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
December 2005
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