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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Jack Massarik's rating
Reader rating
Description: The Soft Machine and Stephane Grappelli guitarist plays cosmopolitan, contemporary jazz-fusion.
Phone: 0207873 7300
Trains: Tube: Tottenham Court Road 
John Etheridge plucks away on one of his numerous guitars
This is John Etheridge's annual week at Dean Street, one he always enjoys with a little help from friends in different jazz places. Last night, the difficult one, found him working alone. Apart, that is, from his five guitars, a nifty sampling pedalboard and a warm-up set by Eva Katzler, a singer-pianist with a chart-friendly, lite-jazz sound.
Her languid, countrystyle tunes and catch-in-the-throat vocals come from the Norah Jones-Sonya Kitchell bandwagon. Perhaps there's room for one more inside.
After a bass-lined blues medley Etheridge voyaged from Luis Bonfa's bossa Gentle Rain to Guitar Makossa from Cameroon and Lullaby of Birdland from New York, showing an equal solo grasp of each style. We heard his bass-enhanced Telecaster (Mean to Me, Stormy Weather) and Django Reinhardt Maccaferri copy (Limehouse Blues, China Boy, Nuages) before he repeatedly sampled a Hendrix-like Strat to produce a multi-layered one-man-band finish.
At encore time, he took two requests, Django (by John Lewis) and Love Me Tender, combining chord sequences with expertise. Tennessee Waltz, another unlikely piece of Americana, earlier yielded a particularly beautiful solo. Etheridge is a fine musician who should let himself play to the gallery more. Instead of milking a final chord, he gives it a brusque stab that kills the applause. Similarly his patter uses so much self-deprecation that listeners become uncomfortable.
They'd have loved to applaud his music more warmly and chuckle more easily at his quips, but he didn't give them a chance.
- Nightly, including Zappatistas (tomorrow) and Soft Machine Legacy (Sat and Sun). Information: 020 7734 3220.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Eva Katzler was outstanding. Does anyone know when her album is actually coming out? I can't wait!
- Jen Ellis, London, UK
I agree - John is an amazing player with a long history in UK music scene. We need more space for people like him and others int he wide pool of musical talent in London, not only the same old faces.
- Seb Merrick, London
Well said Al Stuart! John Etheridge is an unrecognised national treasure. Yes, he is somewhat self-deprecating but isn't that a treat in itself compared to the innumerable talentless 'stars' who have nothing to offer the world but their self-promotion? I have seen John play many times and, as a musician myself, I've never failed to be floored by his brilliance in so many demanding styles. I wasn't at the reviewed gig but I can't help but feel there was something wrong with an audience that didn't warm to and fully appreciate the man and the musician.
- Tom Read, Colchester UK
Sounds good. A review about a musician! At last a music review on this site that isn't about Amy Winehouse or Lilly "flippin" Allen... Well done!!
- Al Stuart, Ealing
