Queen of the Nile @ Hull Truck Theatre

Back in the 80's we saw Hull Truck on a number of occasions in London, Bush Theatre and Donmar Warehouse spring to mind and under Terry Godber the material was sharp and funny. So was pleased to be told that our hosts had obtained tickets for a performance. 
Decent new theatre in the centre of Hull all promised well but thats where it ended. Some funny lines, a good number of obvious funny dialogue but otherwise flat. The last month or so have become adicited to The Big Bang Theory and that is so well scipted it puts most into the shade, and for Queen of the Nile, that wit and sharpness just put a sandstorm over this production.

5.5/10

Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express @ Islington Assembly Hall

Chuck Prophet in UK terms is very under rated, much to my advantage. Dingwalls last year I stood next to his guitarist James DePrato throughout the whole set, this gig with its elevated stage, able to lean comfortably on the security barrier with the band all before me.

A blistering 2+ hour set, great solos, good well structured songs, great rapore and interaction with the audience, loved the use yet again of the squawk microphone, and an excellent version of Bowie's 'Sorrow' duetting with his wife Stephanie and humour.
As a friend remarked during his set at Oxford the following night, Outstanding!

So why is he under rated / unheard of in the UK, I have no idea. Blame 6 Music for not playing him enough. Mike Trotman, the Oxford gig promoter wrote, 'In some parallel dimension Chuck Prophet is a star, though for the real-world fans he’s amassed over the past three decades, beginning with his stint in Green on Red through his well-regarded solo career, he may as well already be one'.

9/10 (possibly too many solos stops it being a 10/10)

Mick Farren and the Deviants @ Islington Assembly Hall

Support for Chuck Prophet, reminded me of Mark E Smith and The Fall who has been quoted as saying, "If it's me and your granny on bongos, then it's the Fall". Exchange Fall with Deviants and you have it in one only Farren is 13 years older than Smith, but the granny on bongos is still there.
Good to see you can still rock and roll at 69, albeit with the help of a stool.
Not my cup of tea but 5.5/10

Beth Orton @ Acadamy Oxford

Disapointed, some good moments mainly centred around songs from Central Reservation. Venue was packed with hardcore of fans, but did not light mine and our party's fire.
The problem for me is that I wanted the band to have a bit more funk, taking the songs towards their folk roots and away from a dance orientated 'folktronica' sound. Or maybe I was just imaging something that she does not deliver. 

5/10