
Craig Allott & Friends: Live At The Muso's Club
By Peter Dent
Here's a treat for you fans of Southland folk-based rock! Craig Allott is a former Invercargill pipe drummer turned singer/songwriter/guitarist extraordinaire and multi-instrumentalist. But on this live set (recorded at The Southland Musicians' Club), he is joined by a crack team of local players: Belinda Anderson on bass, Cheryl Anderson on acoustic guitar and vocals, Brendon Burgess on piano, Brad MacClure on keyboards, and the irrepressible Leon McElhinney on drums. Allott's songs are varied and tasteful, though perhaps he should listen to Bon Jovi's Bed of Roses, because his song Sail Away has the same chords! McElhinney, though, a monster player (and I've mentioned this very fact before in the pages of NZM), often lets his chops get in the way of the groove (more Jeff, and less Dennis, please Leon!). The set is recorded well, courtesy of Geoff Burn, and everything is given clarity and space in the mix. Craig Allott was named Southland Guitarist of the year in 1999, and Southland Entertainer of the year in 2001. It's easy to hear why. This is one songwriter who's going places. Recommended listening.
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