... Impish tribute to the Master Vaudeville A Talent to Amuse Peter Greenwell, whose impish personality has hitherto been seen mainly in cabaret rooms in London, has now transferred it to a larger stage. But I am not quite sure whether it is as effective in this milieu, particularly as his show concentrated entirely on the works of Noel Coward, whose last accompanist he was. Devoted to a ...

... Belladonna Salford Until I went to The Willows recently the only all-girt band I had heard was the famous Ivy Benson Band and the name Belladonna meant deadly nightshade. The four girls calling themselves Belladonna are as remote from Benson as the Beatles from Tchaikovsky. Comprised of Andi (lead gui tar), Joan (bass guitar), Zoey (drums) and the long-legged Emma on lead vocals, even those ...

... Band of the United States Forces in Europe Worthing/Touring Back in those Swingin' Years of the forties and fifties, report had it that one out of every three coins placed in a juke box was for a Glenn Miller record. Big band music has had its ups and down since then but it has never really lost its overall appeal, a fact borne out when a capacity Worthing Assembly Hall audience welcomed the ...

... 30 Years On Leeds Described as a musical extravaganza, 30 Years On is really a tribute show in two parts - Buddy Holly before the interval and Cliff Richard after. I saw the show at the City Varieties early in the 40-venue tour, where it was very well received, particularly Bootleg Buddy perhaps because Buddy is no longer with us and has become a legend. David Jones makes a good Buddy, ...

... The Mellowtones Haves This was the Mellowtones' first live performance, but judging by the audience response it won't be the last. From the opening number Dearly Beloved, through to the encore romp on Swing, Brother, Swing, the audience might have been on a Caribbean cruise which just happens to be where the idea of the band was hatched rather than in the snowbound Beck Theatre in Middlesex ...

... A musically acquired taste BY LISA MARTLAND Brian Epstein paid music publisher Dick James a visit in the early sixties and played him a tape of a single by a new band. James took little time in giving his reaction: I think it must be No.l, he said. It is not difficult to guess that the band in question was the Beatles and the song was Please Please Me, the Fab Four's first chart-top ping ...

... One-liners mark change of style Hackney Empire New Act of the Year Having seen all Hackney Empire's New Act of the Year contests since they started back in the eighties, it is interesting to see how the styles have changed On the evidence of the 1996 event, political comedy is out and even the obser vational and recollective styles are moving to the back line. Now we have a preponderance of ...

... Nothing but the Ruth Bridewell If Ruth Arnold was really telling 'Nothing but the Ruth' during her one woman show at the Bridewell, it is quite obvious she has the necessary experience to discuss the ups and clowns of relationships. But this was no dull and despairing account of love's pain and pleasure instead Arnold spent the evening laughing at her own emotional misfortunes, and the packed ...

... The Alexander Brothers Kilmarnock The Alexander Brothers form one of the great constants in Scottish showbusiness. It is more than 30 years since they first hit top-billing in variety shows as the two kilted brothers from Cambusnethan in Lanarkshire. Dark-haired Tom, the elder played accordion, and blond Jack sang. The brothers opened this Palace show with a couple of numbers, returning to ...

... The Pete Cater Big Band Ruislip Drummer Pete Cater is a regular with singer Elaine Delmar's touring Gershwin show but has also found the time to organise and front an admirable big band. This special concert was laid on at Ruislip Golf Centre to mark its first birthday, and was devoted exclusively to music from the hey day of the Buddy Rich orchestra. Cater's (young) men rose to the ...

... An irresistible renaissance Landmark Hotel Maxine Daniels One of London's newer hotels, the Landmark, seems to be pursuing a commendable live music policy, with a Saturday night dinner dance, American singer/pianist Peggy Taylor-Webb in its downstairs bar five nights a week and its Sunday jazz lunches. Gordon Deighton, who is organising these, is booking some of Britain's best jazz singers on ...

... The Solid Gold Rock'n'Roll Show '96 Reading Flying Music certainly knows its market and with a string of tribute shows under its wide, bejewelled belt, it now has another success on its hands with the Solid Gold Rock'n'Roll Show '96. 1 he Hexagon was packed just five dates into this new tour with the teenagers of the late fifties and early sixties out in force to see their idols recreating a ...