DANIEL RACHEL LSU 25/11/03

The One Man Clash indeed! Not since Billy Bragg in the early 80s has one man and an electric guitar taken the stage. It's raw, edgy stuff. The guitar cuts against lyrics both provocative and heartfelt. Songs about being English
'I'm an Englishman with a foreign tan',
from An Englishman Abroad. The American rejection of Muhammad Ali in the late 60s
'He say no Vietcom ever call me nigger, why should I fight for the ones that have done'
in The Bucket and Broom Song.
But its not just social politics that Rachel does so well, Burned By the Wire his debut single carries a beautiful, bitter sweet melody, recalling the failure of the young to achieve their childhood aspirations,
'Dreams of you getting to the top will get you nowhere/You shout and you scream but your barks no bigger than your big toe'.
Rachel recorded the single with famed producer Grant Showbiz, known for his work with artists like The Smiths, The Fall and Billy Bragg. Released on limited edition vinyl, the single is doubled A sided with Driving Round The Bend. OK Magazine tipped the release for chart success with its nodding of its head to the sound of the Blockheads and Madness. The single is piano driven with a band backbite, the solo version we hear tonight thrives off the sparse backing, punk edged in its raucous glory.
Over 30 minutes Rachel hails the return of the electric guitar and song, following the charge of The White Stripes and The Strokes. The time for direct music, power and melody proudly worn on the cuff is firmly evident tonight. Tonight Rachel struts the stage like a born star, charismatic, passionate and hilarious between song banter. Daniel Rachel leaves the stage in the knowledge that the great leap forward is waiting round the corner.

BEN ASTON
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