Review: Danny and the Champions of the World
The last time I saw Danny and the Champions of the World it was a stripped-back instore performance at Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl. This time around may have been the full band, but it was still all very civilised, with unreserved seating at the Wedgewood Rooms transforming the venue into a more relaxed atmosphere.
What I’ve come to discover about Danny and the Champions of the World is how they’re just on the right side of the middle of the road. It’s easy listening, but all the while pushing your intrigue just enough to make you listen that little bit closer.
This is true particularly on opener “Thinking a Good Game“, ending with samples that you can’t quite make out, or longer tracks with wonderful solos that go off on a tangent.
There’s something a bit Pink Floyd when guitarist Paul Lush is seamlessly blending one note into the next. I’m half expecting female backing singers to emerge from the back of the stage, but when the actual vocals kick back in, the tune’s lyrics soon bring you back down to earth.
Danny and the Champions of the World – Pie & Vinyl, October 2024
You Are Not a Stranger Here
The Wedgewood Rooms gig was the penultimate night of a string of dates touring recent album “You Are Not a Stranger Here“. It’s a release filled with stories that take you on a bit of a trip, just without the psychedelics.
It’s been a few years since their previous LP, but I’ve been listening to the latest one so much that I’ve become less familiar with their earlier work. I couldn’t tell you which songs were on which album, and it would seem neither could the band’s own singer Danny George Wilson!
The frontman interacts with the crowd at several opportunities, jokingly announcing the band is recording a live album entitled “Live at Pompey“. Which I can only assume, is in reference to “Live at Pompeii” and inadvertently confirming my earlier Floyd reference.
However, that’s not really what the Champions are about. On one hand, they have a slightly country side akin to the Eagles, while another they get rocking like Eagles’ member Joe Walsh’s the James Gang. Although there’s no need for comparisons really, for Danny and the Champions of the World have been around since 2007 and have certainly more than made their mark on the UK Americana scene.
It’s no wonder that there’s a sense of well-rehearsed professionalism, incredibly tight musicianship that’s simply compelling to watch on stage. I think this is what made it a good opportunity to just sit back and admire. As it may not have been as busy as recent gigs I’d attended at the Wedgewood Rooms, but it was certainly just as good.
There was even a broken bass string midway through the night, something you don’t see very often…
I had intended posting this review before now, but life, along with another concert (Lambrini Girls in Southampton) got in the way. Right now though, it’s back to sticking on “You Are Not a Stranger Here” yet again.
Thanks for reading!
Mr Teeth
