hi all, this site is under construction,
in the mean time, if you'd like more information, or to say 'hello' to Garry or the rest of the band, please stop by the forum at www.thechristianslive.com
please bear with us whilst we get the myspace site up and running - thanx
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watch video of Garry performing with Elani Dimou here
for more details, please see Garry's blog space
video filmed for greek tv and taken from www.mad.tv
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bbc review of 'The Christians' at the philharmonic hall.
The Christians @ Phil
By Tim Adams
One of Liverpool's finest groups The Christians played a homecoming gig at the Philharmonic Hall.
The third date of The Christians 2006 tour saw their eagerly awaited return to their home city, in the spectacular surroundings of the Royal Philharmonic Hall. Kicking off the proceedings was local singer-songwriter Susan Hedges, who presented six tracks from her current album Faces Without Names, accompanying herself boards. Susan is a very versatile artist, who has written and recorded in a number of musical styles. This may possibly have worked against her, in fact, as it is not easy to market an artist who continuously changes direction. However, she has a strong voice and has written some excellent songs, and was certainly well received tonight.
Next up was the official support act on the current tour, Amy Wadge. Amy, too, was restricted to half a dozen songs, from an album due to be released next month, and accompanied herself on guitar for four songs and keyboards for the other two. When, towards the end of the first song, Amy started to harmonise with herself, and the guitar continued after she stopped playing it, I thought we had just witnessed the unthinkable an artist using backing tapes at the Philharmonic! but apparently it was a sampling machine, instantly playing back what she had just played live. It still looked a bit strange, though! No matter, Amy delivered a strong performance, which went down well with the audience. I particularly liked the quietest song of the set, Shattered, but it was the final number, a cover of the Manic Street Preachers Design For Life, that may well provide her breakthrough to chart success, when it is released as a single in a couple of weeks time.
By the time that The Christians took to the stage, the hall was almost completely full indeed, from my seat in the top balcony, I could see less than twenty unoccupied seats. Clearly, word must have spread about how great their live performances in the city last year were! Only Garry Christian and Henry Priestman remain from the original line-up, since Russell Christian stopped touring a couple of years ago, but they are augmented by some excellent young musicians Stewart Boyle on lead guitar, Neil Griffiths on acoustic guitar and supporting vocals (including the onerous task of taking Russells part on the chorus of Hooverville, which he does very well), Bobby Kewley on bass and Craig The Kid Connet on drums.
"It is a pity that their national profile does not quite match their local one "
Tim Adams
The band started their set with two songs that were unfamiliar to this reviewer, but were both excellent. However, it wasnt long before they started to dip into their rich legacy of classic songs, beginning with their first chart hit Forgotten Town and then the wonderful Words (how this peaked at number 18 in the singles chart will forever remain a mystery). Garrys voice was sounding as great as ever, and the whole band were in outstanding form. We were treated to most of the finest songs from the bands first three albums (although I hope that one day they will see fit to revive In My Hour Of Need), plus the title track of their now three years old new album Prodigal Sons. A great bonus this time was the inclusion of a glorious version of Bob Dylans I Shall Be Released, which I have never heard The Christians perform before. It is interesting to note that the bands third, relatively unsuccessful album, Happy In Hell, contained three songs which are now recognised as essential classics in their repertoire the title track, plus Father and The Bottle.
The Christians proved again tonight that they were, and remain, one of the finest bands ever to emerge from this city, and were rewarded again with rapturous applause throughout the concert, and a fully deserved standing ovation at the end. It is a pity that their national profile does not quite match their local one apparently Prodigal Sons has received little airplay nationally but that is nothing that one appearance on Jools Hollands show wouldnt swiftly put right! In the meantime, their many fans on Merseyside will continue to turn up in huge numbers whenever this superb band is appearing live. Next years Christians tour cannot come around quickly enough!
review taken from:
bbc review of The Christians at the Pilharmonic in Liverpool
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