Metrotones at Twinwood

The last band we saw at Twinwood were the Metrotones, a British doo-wop group I've loved since their 1992 release, Zoom Boom Zing. Me and the misses loved that album and were chuffed that when we saw them at a Bath all-dayer in the mid 90's they played most of the album. A decade and a half later and the boys are back together, and thankfully, still sing most of the same album. It's not often you go to a show and see a band play just about all the songs you hope for - today was one of those beautiful occasions.

Only three of the quartet remain, the new guy being none other than Dan Heggerty, the mad man of Darts. The boys are a clean cut bunch, totally at odds with his eccentric behaviour, spitting, swearing and generally causing them embarrassment. He was pretty funny as well, it just didn't seem the right type of show. At Hemsby or the Rockers Reunion it would have been fine but this was more of a family show. Musically though, he's a great bass singer and gives the group a big bottom end.

They kicked off with let's Fall In Love before launching into Nappy Brown's Don't Be Angry. Sh Boom, It's A Groove and Whispering Bells were followed by the El Dorados My Front Door, where they had the crowd doing the hand movements. When the lead singer said it was easy to do, Dan Heggerty said, "not for Stephen Hawkins".

The Way You Look Tonight, a great version of I Wonder Why and the boppin' Trickle Trickle maintained the standard before they wooed us with the best song of the weekend. Don't Take Your Love From Me has always been one of my favourite ballads and their rendition today was just beautiful. Little Bitty Pretty One had a hard act to follow before the set was closed with they tipped their caps to the Four Top Hatters' 45 Men In A Telephone Booth. The encore gave us two more Dion's, Love Came to Me and Runaround Sue. A great, great show and I can't wait to see them again.

Jive Aces at Twinwood

The Jive Aces played a lively set during in an afternoon slot that might have been hard to get the crowd going. They had no such trouble though, playing with high energy and plenty of visual gimmicks. AT first I didn’t think I’d review them because I thought they’d be too slick and swingy for my tastes. But I must admit that I grew into them as the set wore on.

Mack the Knife was standard fare for them and gave them all a chance to show their unquestionable quality. The lead singer was pretty good throughout but really comes in to his own when he does Louis Prima. It’s uncanny how much he can sound like King Louis. I’m Just A Gigalo was brilliant and was followed by a classy cover of Up A Lazy River. During Oh Marie, three of the band got in amongst the crowd and by this stage they had the dancers going full on. They returned to Bobby Darin for a quality reading of Beyond The Sea.


I thought their version of Shake Rattle And Roll was rubbish - too jazzy and showy for me sorry. The band were joined for a couple of songs by Louis Prima and Keely Smith’s daughter Toni Elisabeth Prima, the highlight being Buena Sera. The closer was a wonderful jived up version of Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again. To round off a great afternoon we bumped into Keely Smith who chatted away and was one of the friendliest people you could wish to meet. I stood and watched with her as an old Dakota flew overhead – sometimes life throws you these moments to cherish.

The Kingcats at Twinwood

The first group I caught at Twinwood last weekend was Ooh Bop She Bamb who were a bit too polished for me. They impressed with Scatman Crothers’ I'm 'gonna Rock & Roll and their version of Lawdy Miss Clawdy was a neat stroller, I could have done without toothless Don’t Be Cruel. Okay, but just an appetiser for what was to follow.


I was really looking forward to seeing the Kingcats as I think lead singer Bill Crittenden is one of the best singers out there. Way before they’d finished their opener, an extended Promised Land, I knew this was going to be a great show. Jerry Reed’s When I Found You was perfect for the band to show their credentials. They played a couple of numbers from their forthcoming CD including a Sun inspired Lonesome Life For Me and a great cover of the Mavericks’ Losin’ Side Of Me and. They’re regular visitors to the Mav’s catalogue, and seem to be partial to a bit of Elvis as well. Today we got excellent versions of I Got Stung and A Mess of Blues. A highlight of the set was the stroller Perfect World which I knew courtesy of James Intveld. The two have similar voices and it was a fine choice.


Abbey Marie joined the band for a couple of numbers and tore through ‘Til Your Well Runs Dry and Bigelow 6-200. She’s got one hell of a big voice and almost stole the show. The Kingcats finished with a bopping version of the Killers/Hawks’ In The Mood with piano pounder Rusty proving to be anything but. The encore took us back thirty-odd years with Washing Machine Boogie. If you’ve never seen them before, you don’t know what you’re missing. This is a great band with a wonderful lead singer.

Reviews of Big Boy Bloater, Jive Aces, Metrotones and a blistering show from Mike Sanchez to follow over the next few days.