RGG April 2015 - p.26
If The Charlatans had a group mascot I’d bet it
does not go under the name of ‘Lucky’ Though
it appears they have been – they’re entering
their th year of success – along the way have
been misfortunes and genuine tragedies
Originally hailing from the West Midlands with
singer Baz Ketley The Charlatans recruited
Northwich based Tim Burgess as the
replacement and relocated there Finding indie
success with debut single ‘Indian Rope’ they
were signed by Beggars Banquet and
immediately hit the top with second single
‘The Only One I Know’ in
followed by the
equally successful debut album ‘Some Friendly’
coming just in time for the ‘Madchester’ scene
and earning them an unfortunate reputation of
Stone Roses wannabes mainly due to the
similarity in vocal style of Tim and the Roses’
Ian Brown even though Rob Collins’ keyboard
was to the fore instantly distinguishing the
two
Though the next three albums didn’t fare as
well Britpop gave The Charlatans a boost with
their eponymous fifth album in
and their
time appeared to have come around again The
optimism was short lived though as in
Rob Collins was killed in a car accident during
the recording of sixth album ‘Tellin’ Stories’
However when completed and released the
following year it turned out to be their most
commercially successful album & yielded three
top ten singles Tragedy was to strike the band
again in
when drummer Jon Brookes was
diagnosed with a brain tumour and
subsequently died in
But one thing The
Charlatans most certainly have is stamina Well
that and a large & loyal fan base as this
‘hometown’ show proved
Opening with the epic ‘Forever’ and following
with ‘Weirdo’ the band had the crowd in the
palm of their hands from the off Tim Burgess
was in fine voice (if not fine haircut ) and the
days of Stone Roses comparisons are long gone
(in fact for Tim’s more ‘soulful’ influences take
a listen to his solo albums where there are
some genuine surprises) Whilst this was no
nostalgia show showcasing tracks from their
recent very well received ‘Modern Nature’
album it was the hits that obviously shone –
‘One To Another’ ‘How High’ ‘North Country
Boy’ and ‘Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things
Over’ in particular The long set did not drag in
the slightest and by the time of ‘Sproston
Green’ the closing track of the set (and closer
on the debut album) dedicated to Jon Brookes
the band were still firing on all cylinders and I’m
sure they could have entertained for another
couple of hours But leaving a crowd wanting
more is part of the fun really so we spilled out
of the venue very happy punters indeed
It’s odd to think that I was a Charlatans ‘virgin’
until this show even in my years of festivals
they were never on a bill I saw but I’m happy
to report that I get the point now What people
love about them I believe is the fact that
whatever is thrown at them they just keep on
going and making consistently good records
And that and the fact they are one very
impressive live band is sometimes all it takes
To the next time
Bongo Bryan
Celebrating Years
r
gg
since
1995
