... Soul Story Swillington Just a few months ago, when Yorkshire-based musician and vocalist Steve-Woodcock set about his task creating the north of England's most in-demand vocal harmony group, he can hardly have thought that events would move so rapidly. Truth is that these guys have all been involved in all kinds of recording bands and cabaret outfits for more years than any of them would care ...

... Chris Hutchinson Hastings Chris Hutchinson is the son of Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson, whose career spanned the twenties to the mid-fifties. He was perhaps the first of the mega-stars, and his soft, warm voice, backed by his own rippling, rhythmic piano, was never long absent from the airwaves. He was instrumental in launching many songs which are now classics, such as Cole Porter's Begin the ...

... Classic quality shines through King's Head Much Revue About Nothing Topicality is the essence of revue, so it is hardly surprising that this engaging compilation contains little of the material that brought laughs in its heyday. What ft does is revive the more timeless pieces, songs and sketches that have a classic quality, and a few sentimental ditties that were originally includ ed for ...

... Palm Springs Follies Palm Springs From Los Angeles it is just two hours on a wide road to Palm Springs, home of warm desert airs, golf--and Palm Springs Follies. This version of golden girls and neat-footed hoofers is decid edly different, however, and the (mostly) Grey Power crowds that mill into the Plaza Theatre on Palm Canyon have come to see a show that is extraordinary. Revived as a new ...

... Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Ice Warrington Following his stunning success with the Chinese at the recent circus festival in Monte Carlo, the talented Phillip Gandey has turned his eye to Russia and brought live entertainment back to the Spectrum Arena. Under the artistic direction of Gandey and Leonid Kostiouk, champion skaters and artists from the Bolshoi Moscow Circus appeared in this fast ...

... Chico Hamilton and Funhoria Jazz Cafe Euphoria occupies the crowded hinterland between jazz-fusion and jazz-rock, yet what marks it out from others in the same arena is the exceptional rhythmic sensitivity of drummer/leader Chico Hamilton. Now a youthful 75, Hamilton grew up in Los Angeles with the likes of Dexter Gordon and Charles Mingus, played with Gerry Mulligan and then formed his own ...

... The Hermetologists The Vortex Hermetotogy is, according to saxophonist lain Ballamy, the study of Brazilian bandleader and composer Hermeto Pascoal. Ballamy coined the phrase as the title for a PascoaMnspired composition and the Hermetologists was a special gathering of cians similarly inspired by the Brazilian's intricate and joyful music. The eight-piece band was an extended version of ...

... Mystique Blackpool Just as its Pleasure Beach neighbour Hot Ice has done with skating, so this annual, fast-moving production has achieved with magic steadily redefining audience expectations of the genre while steadfastly refusing to let it sit back on the laurels of its reputation. Back for a second season is the talented Richard De Vere, this year seeming far more at ease with his ...

... University of Louisville Jazz Orchestra Wigan This was a most unusual big band concert, with individual musicians and even entire sections changing after every two or three numbers. With a pool of some 35 musicians at its disposal and half of them waiting in the wings at any one time, the ULJO, under its director, John LaBarbera, gave one of the most enjoyable big band concerts heard at the ...

... It's just another manic Monday! Torquay The Manic Monday Game Show If ever you want to spend a Monday evening in a mad house, then make for the English Riviera Centre, where throughout the season The Manic Monday Game Show takes over the theatre once a week. It turns a well-behaved, typically British audience into an uninhibited rabble, thoroughly enjoying the fun and games gen erated by ...

... Tartan Lads Kilmarnock This three-act bill launched the Palace's 1997 variety programme. The Tartan Lads (singer Bill Moran and accordionist Raymond Carse) have, in their 23 years in showbiz, built up a faithful following and a formidable repertoire. Although in solo spots Carse extends into other areas of music such as Sousa marches, the out put from the be-kilted duo is all Scottish, ...

... Foster Lomax Promotions Wakefield Crigglestone WMC's luxurious surroundings played host to a selection of acts organised by Lancashire-based Foster Lomax Promotions. Compere Michael Pass began the show by introducing female vocalist Sarah Willis. Hailing from Liverpool, this artist showed why she is so highly rated by the agency. Cleariy from a musical, songs from the shows type background, ...