On 24th July, I went to a Rosalie Cunningham gig at the Craufurd Arms. For my regular readers, the name may ring a bell because I have written about her a few times before (links below), but in connection with her previous role as the leading lady for the band “Purson”.
In the time since my last Purson related post, Rosalie branched off on her own (and away from the old record label) and started writing her own solo material. The output from her investment is now available in the form of her eponymously entitled album. It’s a cracker, and the concert was part of the tour to promote it.
When she took to the stage, Rosalie announced it was only the band’s second gig, she sounded a little nervous, which was endearing and, bearing in mind the band’s collective skill, surprising.
Here’s the set list - 11 songs including some Purson tracks:
Rosalie’s solo material is in a very similar vein to Purson, so the progressive/psychedelic rock style continues. The Purson tracks from the set list fitted in perfectly and were like old friends to the fans in the audience.
Chocolate Money, a song from the tail end of the Purson era, had apparently never been played live before this tour.
Drummer, Ralph, was a familiar face and is still working with Rosalie despite her solo adventures.
“A Yarn From The Wheel” is a 14 minute, multi-movement epic with exquisite, theatrical flourishes, stylistic and tempo changes that make it almost like an album in one track. Think Jimi Hendrix meeting up with Pink Floyd and Sharon den Adel and performing a Disneyesque track on stage at a pantomime. Bonkers … but brilliant.
After the gig Rosalie explained to me that it’s her favourite song too, and I understand why. You can listen to it right now on Spotify and see what you think.
With regards to the band, I loved the sound, the appearances of the band members, the vintage/retro outfits (flared trousers, flared arms, hats) and even the desirable range of guitars being used.
If you enjoy Rush, or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, or The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, then there’s something here for you.
In my opinion Ms Cunningham does for prog rock what Caro Emerald does for Jazz - she breathes new and exciting life into an old genre. Her material is original, creative, inventive, genre crossing, multi-faceted and it evidences her meticulous attention to detail.
The gig proved to be an excellent night out and at the end of it, I purchased Rosalie’s new album, got the whole band to sign it, and then listened to it all the way home. The only track from it not played live was “Butterflies”.
Since the event, the album hasn’t stopped spinning in my car’s CD player.
I really rate Rosalie Cunningham, if you think about others like Caro Emerald, Sharon den Adel, Annette Olzon, Amy Lee, Vanessa Carlton or even Kate Bush, she’s as good as any of them and will hopefully go as far. Get to a gig if you can, experience the theatre for yourself before it gets too expensive and the venues get too large.
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https://www.rosaliecunningham.com/
Related Posts
The Pursonal Touch
Purson at the Craufurd on the 24th - a gig review
Another Purson gig review - Craufurd Arms March 2016
In the time since my last Purson related post, Rosalie branched off on her own (and away from the old record label) and started writing her own solo material. The output from her investment is now available in the form of her eponymously entitled album. It’s a cracker, and the concert was part of the tour to promote it.
When she took to the stage, Rosalie announced it was only the band’s second gig, she sounded a little nervous, which was endearing and, bearing in mind the band’s collective skill, surprising.
Here’s the set list - 11 songs including some Purson tracks:
- Ride on my Bike
- Fuck Love
- Dethroning of the Party Queen
- House of the Glass Red
- Desire’s Magic Theatre (Purson)
- Chocolate Money (Purson)
- The Sky Parade (Purson)
- Nobody Hears
- Riddles and Games
- A Yarn From The Wheel
- Tragic Catastrophe (Purson)
Rosalie’s solo material is in a very similar vein to Purson, so the progressive/psychedelic rock style continues. The Purson tracks from the set list fitted in perfectly and were like old friends to the fans in the audience.
Chocolate Money, a song from the tail end of the Purson era, had apparently never been played live before this tour.
Drummer, Ralph, was a familiar face and is still working with Rosalie despite her solo adventures.
“A Yarn From The Wheel” is a 14 minute, multi-movement epic with exquisite, theatrical flourishes, stylistic and tempo changes that make it almost like an album in one track. Think Jimi Hendrix meeting up with Pink Floyd and Sharon den Adel and performing a Disneyesque track on stage at a pantomime. Bonkers … but brilliant.
After the gig Rosalie explained to me that it’s her favourite song too, and I understand why. You can listen to it right now on Spotify and see what you think.
With regards to the band, I loved the sound, the appearances of the band members, the vintage/retro outfits (flared trousers, flared arms, hats) and even the desirable range of guitars being used.
If you enjoy Rush, or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, or The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, then there’s something here for you.
In my opinion Ms Cunningham does for prog rock what Caro Emerald does for Jazz - she breathes new and exciting life into an old genre. Her material is original, creative, inventive, genre crossing, multi-faceted and it evidences her meticulous attention to detail.
The gig proved to be an excellent night out and at the end of it, I purchased Rosalie’s new album, got the whole band to sign it, and then listened to it all the way home. The only track from it not played live was “Butterflies”.
Since the event, the album hasn’t stopped spinning in my car’s CD player.
I really rate Rosalie Cunningham, if you think about others like Caro Emerald, Sharon den Adel, Annette Olzon, Amy Lee, Vanessa Carlton or even Kate Bush, she’s as good as any of them and will hopefully go as far. Get to a gig if you can, experience the theatre for yourself before it gets too expensive and the venues get too large.
Blog Home
Blog Library
Home
https://www.rosaliecunningham.com/
Related Posts
The Pursonal Touch
Purson at the Craufurd on the 24th - a gig review
Another Purson gig review - Craufurd Arms March 2016
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