Alan Fletcher – Live – Centre For Contemporary Arts – ubersavvymusic

Review By Darren McIntyre

Images By Scott Anderson

Alan ‘Fletch ‘ Fletcher is an actor / singer / musician from Perth, Western Australia who has been active since 1980, Alan is best known for playing Dr Karl Kennedy in Neighbours whom he has played since 1994 making him the 3rd longest serving actor in Australia behind Ray Meagher & Lynne McGranger. Alan has appeared in The Love Boat with Morgan Fairchild, drama Cop Shop, Alan is a prominent member of the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance a role which sees him become a vocal critic, Alan is lead singer in band The Waiting Room( a nod to his role in Neighbours) and has toured the UK several times. Alan has released his new album Back To School and is touring the UK right now to promote it and tonight he stops off in Glasgow to bring us tales of love, life, loss and is telling the odd yarn or two, please join me as I take in this journeyman musician, actor and all round good egg, the place is filling up nicely as the house lights dim and Alan & his band take to the stage and take us straight into –

How Good Is Bed – This is a good ole hoe down classic that brings in cool guitar fills that work so well with a punchy rhythm section that gets the night off to a rousing start. Alan leans in and lets his smouldering, husky vocals take the track off down the road and gets our toes tapping to this fantastic opening number that is surely delighting the audience as we get shouts of give it to us Fletch and gaun yersel Fletch. There is a real Country / Americana feel to this track that has nice piano notes running freely through the track, Jennifer is letting her fingers do the talking as we are really getting into the groove of this punchy, fun opening track that lets us know we are in for a great night’s entertainment, we holler loudly as Alan thanks us for coming out to watch him and the band do their thing, up next –

All That I Could Do – A country / blues vibe with silky guitar notes mix well with cool piano tones as this mellow tone catches our attention. Funking basslines are dropping in and wrapping themselves around this fantastic arrangement as Alan allows the groove to flow as his gravelly vocals let the track breathe, we are being treated to a real thought provoking number that allows us to drift off and feel the magic pulse through this well arranged piece that really tells us a lot about the music that is coming our way tonight, there are smiles on the bands faces and also everyone in the room as we feel the fun element that is oozing from the stage tonight, the place erupts in a hail of shouts, clapping and whooping as we roll into –

Back To School – The track opens with silky, smooth snare drum brushes as the tempo changes pace a little in this cool lead track from the new album. Jennifer is key in this track as the cool, mellow piano tones fill the room as we feel the energy pulsing through the track as the band quickly settles into it’s rhythm, Alan is strumming quietly on his guitar as the arrangement gathers pace and we really let the lyrics wash over us and really let the band do their thing. The track is a ballad of sorts that just catches our attention as the vocals flow freely and let us feel the depth that runs through the piece, we are being treated to a night of banter, tales and heartfelt emotion as Alan lets us into his world for one night which is just wonderful, coming at us next –

Meet Me On The Steps Of The Bombed Out Church – This is all about loss and how we deal with it as Alan tells us the story of the church that was bombed and how it transformed into a song that captured the essence of this timeless building. The tempo is fast paced and really gets your emotions flowing as you lead your lady around the floor as the groove catches our attention and really lets you believe the story that is unfolding before us, Alan’s sweet, melodic vocals really let the track breathe as he really delivers effortless vocals that grab your attention as the band brings fantastic grooves filled with crisp guitar licks that are rounded off with smooth piano tones that tell us we are in for a colossal night of music, chat and stories that really tells us we are in for a cool night, up next –

Million Reasons – Jennifer comes to the centre of the stage and begins by waxing lyrical about Alan and how good it is being on tour with the man. the myth, the legend Alan Fletcher which brings a huge cheer from the audience. The rhythm section opens the track with a cool snare drum beat as Alan strums sweetly on the acoustic guitar as this fantastic track really takes us to another place as Jennifer lets her vocals bring the track to our attention, the toe tapping beat is just soothing as we are sat quietly and really feeling the emotion oozing from the stage as the band really give their all to this sweet, personal arrangement that is a real nice way to give the fine people of Glasgow what they want on a Wednesday night, we are hurtling through the set as Jennifer stays rooted to the mic as we roll into –

Quelqu’un Va La Tombe(Someone’s Going To The Grave) – Jennifer again leads the vocals as Riley lets the guitar tell the story of this hauntigly, beautiful number. The low end is catching our attention as it is giving the track depth and body with plenty of attitude, the guitar solo slips in and really lets the track grab our attention as Jennifer lets her soulful vocals lead the way as the story is unfolding before us. The place is fixed on the stage as Jennifer really lets the vocals drive the track forward as the rhythm section controls the beat from the back of the room, we are really feeling the love from the stage as the boys enjoy themselves as we are clapping along to this fantastic piece, we roll into –

Him Or Me – This a true, dark Americana track that has dark, brooding lyrics that really grab your attention as as the sweet guitar licks weave their way through the track. Alan steps forward and lets his soulful, mellow vocals take the track to another level as he puts his emotion filled lyrics to good use in this fantastic number, the bassline is flowing freely through the track and is giving the track depth, groove and soul as we feel the melodic beat flow effortlessly through the venue tonight. This has been a wonderful experience to watch a true TV Legend come at us with his sweet lyrics that are just letting the night flow as we are treated to a fantastic night of chat, stories and music that will really have us talking about it for a long time, next up –

Under The Stairs – Piano keys lead the track as melodic vocals ooze from the stage as the smooth, acoustic strumming tones fill the venue and instantly settle us into this fantastic track. Bass lines drop in and really let the track cut loose as this thought provoking number shoots across our bow and and lets us feel the emotion coming from the band tonight, The story is being told perfectly as Alan lets his fantastic vocals take the story and give us night of unforgettable tales that just want you to have Alan Fletcher as a pal. This has been a real quality night as we roll into the last track of the first set as this will allow Alan to get plenty more selfies and to sell more swag, before that we stroll into –

Bullamakanka – The last track of the first set is a tip of the hat to real Aussie lingo as Alan tells us a real tale of living in Australia and how the song lets the toe tapping feeling really grab our attention. Alan & Riley take us on a journey that just captures our imagination as the crowd are fixed on the stage as Alan lets his vocals carry us to another place as we enjoy the night of Americana / blues tones that Alan has written into his songs that just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. the lights come up as Alan and I go backstage for a chat, we talk about his career, music, first love and my illness that he seemed to be genuinely interested in which really made me feel full and greatful that he wanted to spend time chatting with me.

Memories In The Bank – Alan steps forward and lets the lyrics do the talking as a cool punchy rhythm section controls the groove as the cool bassline drops in and really lets the track breathe. We have sweet piano tones that are littered throughout the track and just lift it with it’s cool tone that really lets Alan take the track onwards, we have cool acoustic strumming chords that give the track that cool, deep country feel as the band continue where it left off before the break. The tone is sweet and really lets us go along with Alan and the band as the continue their journey with us as we roll into –

Table Service – The snare drum brushes come to our attention as Alan lets his gravelly, melodic vocals allow the track to flow as the fantastic guitar licks really give the track some depth. The arrangement is a tip of the hat to a blues / country groove that has us tapping our toes to this infectious track that lets the groove flow freely through the venue, we are letting the lyrics tell the story as a sweet, mellow guitar lick oozes from the stage as the band bring a real honky tonk groove to Glasgow tonight, we are again getting stories from Alan that raises a few laughs from the crow as we stroll into –

Ain’t Done Yet – The track is all about life, love and loss as Alan chats about his folks and about his friends and some who he has lost, kept in touch with and how he feels blessed to have them in his life. Riley, Joel & Alan are left on stage as the track begins with sweet acoustic strumming chords that set the scene as the track unfolds and the lyrics wrap themselves around us as we get to feel the emotion flowing from the track. There is a nod to myself in the song as Alan and i chatted about life, loss and looking forward to times ahead which we all need to really look forward to, this is a real thought provoking number that allows us to drift off and thing about loved ones and what they mean to us. Thank you Alan for your nod to me in the track, next up –

Hey You – Sweet guitar picks flow from the stage as Alan lets his soulful, mellow vocals bring the track to our attention as haunting piano tones linger through the intro. Bass lines are hitting us with dark, delicious tones that give the track depth and attitude as the place sits silent as we are just fixed on the stage as the band delivers a real sense of musicality that lets us feel the emotion oozing from the stage tonight. The lyrics are pure, true and really lets us peek inside the mind of this talented musician as he takes us with him on the journey as we feel every note coming from the stage tonight, the sweet piano tones are adding depth to the track as the crowd shows their appreciation tonight, up next –

Somebody – (Jennifer) – Acoustic tones coupled with mellow basslines really give this track depth as Alan and Jennifer combine their vocal talents as this toe tapping groover bursts into life. The hoe down style track just puts a smile on your face as we slap our thighs to this piano led number that is just cool, the place is fixed on the stage as the band really gets behing Alan & Jennifer really give the track groove as their killer lyrics put a smile on your face for sure, we are hurtling through the set as we stroll into –

Tell Em – A cool country swagger lets the track come to life as Jennifer lets her soulful vocals allow the track to come to our attention as a punchy snare dtum punch lets the rhythm section control the flow of the track. Alan comes in and joins Jennifer as they combine well and really let this track tell it’s own story as we tap our toes to this country / b;ues ditty that has a real nice tone to it, the cool guitar licks are letting the track break free and really let the bass drop in with delicious tones that just lets the track work so well. The toe tapping groove is just fantastic as we are feeling the love ooze from the stage tonight, next up –

The Point – Sweet, cool guitar licks let the track come to life as piano tones linger through the intro as Alan lets his soulful vocals lead the way as the place falls silent as we are just drawn into the life of Alan Fletcher and his amazing band as they deliver a real cool set that is just fantastic. The tone is just incredible as we feel the meotion oozing from the stage as the band goes through the gears and really tells their story as the night is just settling into a thought provoking night of Americana / Country tones that is a real pleasure to witness tonight, we roll into –

For The Love Of Lager – Alan tells us the story of lager and what it means to him and how he struggles to get a beer that suits him. The ditty opens with Alan strumming on his guitar as this tale of lager comes to life as a whole line of every type of lager gets a mention in this cool story. The toe tapping track changes tempo time after time as this ditty gathers pace as the tune tells the tale of how Alan wants his lager made and how he just wants to enjoy a simple beer or so he thought, we come to the last two track of the evening as we stroll into the Neighbours Theme which gets the crowd on their feet –

Neighbours Theme – This is a sing along a tune as Alan asks us for our help in bringing the theme to Glasgow. The place is on it’s feet as Alan strums on his guitar and really belts out the tune as we roll into –

I’ve Got A Crush On Susie K – Alan tells us of his other love Susan Kennedy as this sweet, melodic track rounds off tonight’s entertainment as we hum along to the track as the band ready themselves for a toe tapping send off from Alan and the band as we really get into the funky tone that is oozing from the stage, mellow, crisp guitar riffs wander freely from the stage as the night is brought to a close.

Alan Fletcher –

Alan Fletcher – Vocals / Acoustic Guitar

Riley Catherall – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Joel Loukes – Bass

Jennifer Hanson – Piano / Backing Vocals

Ben Middleton – Drums

Setlist –

How Good Is Bed

All That I Could Do

Back To School

Meet Me On The Steps Of The Bombed Out Church

Million Reasons