Elton John. Live From The Rainbow Theatre. In May 1977, Elton John took the stage at London’s Rainbow Theatre for a six-night residency. The run included a gala night in aid of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Appeal, an unusually formal affair with the audience in evening wear and SWP protestors outside branding them all “parasites”. Harsh on a plumber in a hired dinner jacket. Elton was joined by percussionist Ray Cooper, moving between kettle drums and vibraphone, for a third of the two-hour show. These stripped back performances, unheard since then, include the first live airing of I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford) which Elt hasn’t played live for more than 40 years. The lyrics, by Bernie Taupin, compare Ford’s shooting of outlaw Jesse James, his partner in crime, to Bernie’s failed marriage to Maxine Feibelman (who inspired Tiny Dancer). Elton also premiered Roy Rogers, Cage The Songbird (his tribute to Edith Piaf) and the sublime Idol. On the vinyl release, we get just 12 songs (there’s one extra on the CD and digital). Missing are Candle In The Wind, Crazy Water, and Benny & The Jets – which went down a storm on the night. Highlights include Sweet Painted Lady and comic book jaunt Dan Dare. The format, although successful, was never repeated.
Renee Rapp. Bite Me. The musical theatre and TV star cements her growing reputation on a feast of confident modern pop with hip-hop and pop-punk influences. Stand-out songs include the sexually confident Shy and the bitchy At Least I’m Hot. ‘My manager called me, said Where’s The Single?’ she sings on the prowling Leave Me Alone. The manager clearly hadn’t heard Mad, which has a touch of latter-day Green Day about it. Less punchy than her 2023 debut, North Carolina’s rapidly rising star straddles synth pop, 90s alt-rock and plenty of unfiltered attitude.
Luke Morley. Walking On The Water. Thunder’s lead guitarist and songwriter paints from a broader palette on his latest solo outing, tipping into country rock on songs like Texas and the swampy Walking On Water. The 11 tracks range from the upbeat Natural High to ballads like soulful Don’t Cry Now and the darker Breathe. Amid echoes of Tom Petty and Nils Lofgren there’s plenty of fresh thinking.
Dennis Bovell. Wise Music In Dub. Barbados-born Dennis still has the magic touch. The lovers rock pioneer recruits Carroll Thompson for a trippy cover of Minnie Riperton’s Les Fleurs. Imagination’s Leee John guests for a haunting take on The Stylistics You’re A Big Girl Now. Reggae stars Winston Francis and Brinsley Forde join the party too. There’s even an unexpected snatch of The Zombies on Dub Session.
Gary Numan. A Perfect Circle Live. He retired in 1981 after three sold-out nights at Wembley Arena. 41 years later Gary returned to the 12,500-seater north London venue, triumphantly completing the circle. Vintage anthems (Cars and Are ‘Friends’ Electric) rub shoulders with fan favourites like Pure and Everyday I Die and more recent numbers from 2021’s dark, dense Intruder. Lovers of robotic synthpop, atmospheric goth and swirling industrial menace will relish these 24 tracks. Acoustic number Jo The Waiter serves light in the gloom.
Morgan Wade. The Party Is Over (recovered) The US country star revisits eleven intensely personal songs mostly written before she signed to Sony, “recovering them” with new versions. The title track, about a lover who lingers “like cheap cologne” is gloriously anthemic. Her rasping vocals suit raw, honest numbers like East Coast, which finds her deciding between “the Bible and the bottle” every other night. Left Me Behind is heartfelt and melancholy.