This is a gig I've been looking forward to for a while, and it certainly doesn't disappoint!
The Black Heart is pretty full for this album launch show and there is expectancy in the air. It's been a long time coming but JoanOvArc's debut album is finally here - I've been seeing the band play some of these songs live for over ten years so it's great to get them on a well produced and recorded CD at last. After some false starts with record companies and managers over the years
JoanOvArc have been in the world famous Rockfield studios with 'name' producer Gil Norton, and the results are impressive. The material is a mix of old favourites and new songs - tonight's set reflects this and varies from full on in-your-face rock to the odd quieter and slower number. But although some of their songs are very catchy and commercial the emphasis is very much on the
rock. And these girls can rock very hard indeed when they want too. Tonight they explode onto the stage with a terrific performance!
It's the second time this year that I've seen the band at this venue - the first being when they played to a full room at mid-day to open the
Camden Rocks Festival. This is the third time I've seen them play in Camden this year (although they have done so many times in the past) and they really seem to be taking things up a gear or two in 2016 with festival appearances and daytime national radio airplay on
Planet Rock. Most the lead vocals are by bass player Sam - she is a fine singer and full of energy.
JoanOvArc are on fine form tonight, but then again they always are - I've seen them over fifty times over the years and I've never seen them be less than excellent. They have worked very hard to get this far and are top quality musicians with a great deal of live experience. It finally looks like all the hard work is starting to pay off.
Some of the older songs like 'Live Rock 'N' Roll' and 'Seeds Of Summer' have grown and evolved over the years - no JoanOvArc show is complete without them. 'White Trash' is a newer song that has also become popular with the fans over the past couple of years. However, some very strong newer songs have appeared in recent times, like the new album's title track and opener 'Ride Of Your Life' - a tribute to the many biker fans they have won over at motorcycle rallies. Recent single 'Dragon In The Sky' is also memorable.
JoanOvArc have always been a terrific live act, not just because of their musical ability and good songwriting, but also because of the sheer
passion they play with - this is a band who really mean and really feel every note they play.
After a few songs the first of the night's special guests appears - John Altman AKA the infamous 'Nasty Nick' from Eastenders. This guy has the stage presence to do a very convincing version of Johnny O'Keefe and the Dee Jays 'Real Wild Child'.
As well as being an actor John is no stranger to the art of fronting a rock band - he took the place of the late Gary Holton in a more recent lineup of the
Heavy Metal Kids.
Then it was back to the girls on their own playing original material - I think virtually the whole of their new album got played. They must have done a good job of promoting the album as it looked like most of if not all the CDs on the rack on the merch stall got sold.
JoanOvArc played a highly polished and confident set as usual, with a little extra gloss added by a keyboard player on some numbers tonight - there is even some trumpet!
Shelley cranked out some cracking solos and exhibited natural flair and show(wo)manship - I wish I could play as well as that!
Soon we get another guest singer - this time it's Adam Barron. I'm not familiar with this guy, but I've seen him perform as a guest with this band in the past and apparently he has also appeared on The Voice as well as with Mick Ralphs Blues Band - there is another Bad Company link coming up a little later.... Adam is certainly a good singer, and I much prefer his version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends' tonight to Joe Cocker's cover.
JoanOvArc certainly seem to have made some good connections in the rock business, and next the Bad Company link is continued with the appearance of Dave 'Bucket' Colwell - who took Mick Ralphs place on guitar in a later version of the band.
They launch into a terrific version of Led Zeppelin's 'Rock And Roll' - featuring not one but three guitar solos!
The band are really on fire as Shelley and Dave trade solos - and I think Shelly
just shades it.
Meanwhile, at the back Debbie looks like she is having the time of her life playing the late John Bonham's part and trying to destroy the drum kit! Mind you, Debbie
always looks like she's having the time of her life when she is pounding the skins for JoanOvArc - and she really does
pound them! Best drummer I've seen all year.
After some less frantic songs mid-set like the bouncy 'Work' and the catchy and melodic 'Running Away' the intensity builds. It's great to see this band playing a headline show and being able to play for well over an hour. Things seem to ease off a bit briefly as the band launch into 'Freebird' - a song they rarely play these days as they concentrate of playing their own material. Rhythm guitarist Laura takes lead vocals for this song after swapping between and rhythm guitar and bass with Sam for a song earlier in the set. 'Freebird' builds to it's crescendo and things really start to take off - the band absolutely love playing this song - and you can really tell! Some bands play this song just as a 'crowd pleaser' but JoanOvArc play it because they enjoy it so much and are so totally into it. I have seen many bands play this song over the years, but I've never seen anyone play it as well or with as much pure passion as JoanOvArc! Debbie on drums looks like she is going to explode with excitement, while Sam looks like she might stomp right through the stage. Shelley is on fire and totally in her element as she tears up her fretboard.
That looked like it was meant to be the end of the show, but due to popular demand the girls threw in an encore of a repeat of 'Live Rock 'N' Roll' - which went down a storm!
What a show that was! There was never a dull moment in nearly an hour and a half. JoanOvArc really are at the top of their game at the moment, and it looks like things might to finally about to really start happening for them after all their years of hard work. If you want to check them out, they will be back in Camden on December 17th when they play at Proud as part of a
Camden Rocks promotion.
And so to
BrewDog....
BTW: JoanOvArc's new album
Ride Of Your Life is well worth checking out.
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