Dingwalls, London...May 15, 2001 

Wow...what a night. The opening concert of the UK Tour. This was the first time I'd seen Marcus play and i was very very impressed. The whole band gelled perfectly and thrived off each other's enthusiasm. 
  
Fine Acoustic music played with the fire of two rockers! Stuart had flu but (along with Marcus) still managed to keep the crowd entertained. The debut album is brilliant and if justice is served, will be a massive success. 
  
Roll on the next show! 
  
Rick Graham (Manchester, England) 
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 Paul Sexton 
 Friday, 18th May 2001 
 The Scotsman 

 Since immersing himself in Nashville, Stuart Adamson has found renewed songwriting vigour and built a group with one of Nashville’s local backstage heroes, Marcus Hummon.  

 The first Raphaels album, Supernatural, comes out on Monday (reviewed opposite) marked by a five-date tour which began on Tuesday night in London and reaches Glasgow tonight and Edinburgh on Saturday.  

 The band are not simply Big Country gone country but have Celtic strands that connect Adamson’s early roots to his new ones. The percussive stanchion of the Big Country years, Mark Brzezicki is present and John Mock adds pretty daubs of penny whistle and mandolin.  

 At Dingwalls Adamson stood stage centre, bespectacled and looking more venerable than in previous years, Hummon to his left in a red bandanna. The opening Old Country, Country cut a windswept tone with lyrics about fiddles, fifes and Welsh tombstones. Shattered Cross, with its We Three Kings motif and vivid images, had the allure of a Western Christmas carol.  

 Hummon led his own Grammy-winner for the Dixie Chicks, Ready To Run, and the album’s Radio 2-featured title song. The performance though lively and genuine suffered from poor sound and projection.  

 The Raphaels play The 13th Note Club, Glasgow, tonight and La Belle Angele, Edinburgh, on Saturday. 
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The Raphaels - Review: Dingwalls, Camden Lock, London 15/5/2001 

HAVING BEEN fortunate enough to hear the debut offering from THE RAPHAELS a couple of times before their debut British gig (lots of firsts here) I expected a night of fine music and good vibes and was not disappointed. In fact, my initial excitement at the prospect of seeing in the flesh the collaboration of arguably two of Britain's & America's finest musicians/songwriters in STUART ADAMSON and MARCUS HUMMON was fully justified after the first few chords of Old Country Country began to kick in, and only manifested itself by growing into sincere admiration by the end of the nights proceedings. Here is a band with a touch of class and a little bit of magic, and the perfect antidote to the current strain of miserableism that is all too apparent 
in today's British pop. But this isn't pop, and it ain't British. The Raphaels are producers of quality celtic country, for that is the pedigree that Stuart and Marcus bring, but the melodies are strong with pop leanings and avoid being over-sentimental in their lyrical content. 

Now I've always liked Big Country, not as much as some, but I was hugely impressed with the talents on offer on Tuesday night from all the band, and in particular those of Mr. Hummon. Keyboards, harmonica, guitar and mandolin were all interchanged with ease throughout the night. Marcus is the kind of role model that all lovers of music should seek, because it's abundantly clear to me that this is a man who loves his music with a passion, not unlike one Mr. Stuart Adamson. Hummon's voice was impressive, too. On he came with celtic influences clearly on display (liked the t-shirt, Marcus!) and matching bandana and proceeded to wow the Dingwalls crowd. The whole thing just fell into place right from the off and never faltered once (and it was filmed! dig that!) 

The whole album was played - Supernatural twice - and with a storming rendition of In a Big Country (featuring guest vocalists the crowd - a superb performance by the way) - this satisfied the BC fans without paying too much attention to Stuart's more recognisable past glories. After all this is a new band/project, whatever, and we should all love it for what it is: FANTASTIC!! 

Well done to the whole band. This was a night of quality music that I won't forget, unlike my hotel... 

Reviewed with great pleasure by Matthew Graham, Bury, England. 

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London being the first show was excellent. Commencing with "Old Country, Country", the fans were rocking from the start. They played their way through the enire new album and also included a Dixie Chicks cover and "in a big country" as part of the encore. The latter of course received a superb reception with all the fans providing the vocals instead of Stuart Adamson.The gig was then closed with a repeat of "Supernatural" which is presently airing on Radio 2 and this was enough to send the fans out into the Camden nightsky, realising they had just witnessed something a bit special. 
  
Martyn Wright. 
  

Acadamy 2, Birmingham...May 16, 2001  

Would just like to say that Stuart was obviously not well but battled on for   
an hour regardless of the heckling that he received from so called fans.   
Marcus was wonderful, he has a fantastic voice and the tracks that they   
played from the new album are all superb !. I would love to see them again   
when Stuart is back on form and am sure that the band as a whole would be   
amazing. Many thanks to Marcus and Mark especially for carrying on the show   
and being such good friends to Stu. Hope to see you all again very soon !!!  

Natalie, Birmingham  
 

Life Cafe, Manchester...May 17, 2001  

Well I've just got back from the Life Cafe gig, and it was absolutely brilliant! After going to the London gig, I knew what to expect and could not wait for the band to come on. The venue has a swanky lounge atmosphere to it, with tables and chairs scattered around the room. However this distanced the crowd from the stage, as you could only stand behind the table area (about 18ft from the band).  The good thing was, everybody got a perfect view.  
    When the band came on, I couldn't wait for the classic 'Old Country Country' to come on, what a classic song this is! Played so perfectly too. The celtic whistle and Marcus's voice showed the crowd that this band are something else. Stuart played along smiling, knowing it was brilliant. In fact I have to say, all the musicians are superb, the bass player plays a great funky style and the guy playing the whistle had his eyes shut in some songs, taking the atmosphere in. Marcus's, Stuarts and Marks talents need no introduction.  
    Learning to row, for me is a highlight, a fantastic song. Blue Rose was sang beautifully by Marcus - this song is really growing on me. It's such a good album...oh yeah, 'My Only Crime' was great too!  
    There was less chat through this gig, and it seemed over all too quickly. I hung around chatting to friends afterwards when Marcus appeared moving some of his gear, and people came over to him to get things signed. Then Stuart came out and I realised I had nothing to sign (having previously bought the album), so I acquired an empty cigarrette box from a table. I told Marcus I was going to do a review, and he asked me my name and said he would look out for it (What a nice guy Marcus is - really laid back, taking time out to meet the fans). I think he is impressed by the fans reactions. The crowd really behaved themselves tonight, and seemed well into it.  
    Anyway enough of my ranting, get out and see the band on the remaining gigs...I'm tempted to go to Dublin now. What a superb act, a classic night! 

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The Raphaels - Review: Life Cafe, Manchester, England. 17/5/2001. 

On a somewhat cold and grey Manchester "summer" evening, it was good to get inside the Life Cafe on Peter Street to see The Raphaels perform once more, a performance which myself and others were greatly anticipating following a cracking performance at Dingwalls in London. The band appeared around 9 to generous cheers and applause, taking the small, floor-level stage which while creating a "band-in-your-living-room" effect also meant that, with the aid of strategically placed "reserved" tables we had to view events from a distance so that everyone could see. As a result I think The Raphaels felt a little more exposed than perhaps they did in 
London...still, it was good to see Stuart who I feared might not appear after a bout of illness which saw him retire the previous night in Birmingham...what a trooper! 

This was a slightly more reserved audience than in London and that coupled with the intimacy of the surroundings meant The Raphaels were well and truly under the spotlight! Undaunted however, they ripped through their set and were well received, Marcus resplendent in a Big Country t-shirt (how diplomatic!) and Stuart in black t and grey trousers. Among the more obvious audience-pleasers (Supernatural, Old Country Country) were great performances of My Only Crime and a passionate rendition of Stand Up from Marcus. Learn To Row, one of my particular favourites, was, as Stuart explained, about memories of his fisherman dad sailing the seas to Newfoundland in search of cod, an occupation he saw preferable to going down the 
pit! This is typical of the content and down-to-earth nature of the Raphs and their songs: they are deeply personal and this is reflected in their passionate, but always professional, delivery. And by the way, this is one tight outfit, something you would naturally expect from musicians of this calibre!  

So, after leaving the stage it was to mine and my friends great joy that we managed to get to meet Marcus and Stu in a post-gig mingle-with-the-audience type thing! Of course there was much patting on the back (sincere I might add) and my brother managed to get an empty cigarette box signed by Stuart and Marcus...rock & roll! Stuart was relaxed and jovial (as always) and it was a real pleasure to meet Marcus who is probably the nicest man in rock! What a great guy - I got the impression he was enjoying the attention from the Manchester people... 

As we left the downstairs world of the Life Cafe to emerge into the Manchester night, we passed Marcus who was sat on the stairs, perhaps stealing a quiet moment of reflection and contemplation on the nights events, with the help of a coke..."take care buddy!" he said. "Maar-cuus" we shouted as we left... 

Reviewed with pleasure by Matthew Graham. Thanks to The Raphaels for a week of great music and great memories. Long may you live... 

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In the city of Manchester, the venue differed from Dingwalls. Not in size but becuase it was not 
possible to stand directly in front of the stage. This was not to spoil the atmosphere as the Raphaels ripped through their new album with syle and perfection. Marcus, wearing a Big Country t-shirt, opened things up with "Old Country, Country" as if they had played it a thousand times before. The set then followed as at Camden minus "Supernatural" being repeated at the end. But this would not bother the fans, as they had seen enough and were queing up to purchase the album from the merchandise stand. It was good to meet Stuart and Marcus afterwards. They are clearly enjoying the tour and the music they have provided on their new CD. 
  
Martyn Wright. 
 
 

13th Note, Glasgow...May 18, 2001 

Just got to say that last night's show at The 13th Note Club in Glasgow ranks amongst the best 
concerts I have ever been to. The informality of this cellar club showed through with the friendy banter between audience and musicians, although I think that some of the Scottish humour was lost on Marcus.  
  
Although Stuart was still not on top form, he and the rest of the band put on a professional show, running through all the tracks on the Supernatural album. The opening song, Old Country Country suffered a bit with a lack of cohesion and iffy sound balance, but by the time the third song, Supernatural, was played, the band were tight. Personal favourite was Learning To Row, or perhaps it was Private Battlefield, no, maybe it was Stand Back .... actually they are all favourites. 
  
Penultimate song was In A Big Country (very slow version) which predicatably went down well. 
Surprisingly, there were very few shouts by the audience for other old Big Country songs,  which just goes to show how much the new songs are appreciated. 
  
After the show, the informality continued with Marcus, Mark and Stuart spending time talking to fans.  I had a fairly long chat with Marcus, and was well impressed with his sincerity and friendliness. 
  
Looking forward to the next tour, the next album, the video of Dingwalls and anything else connected to this excellent band. 
  
  
Stuart Christie  
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La Belle Angele, Edinburgh...May 19, 2001
 It was going to be a good night ... I saw Stuart outside, resplendant in his pink and blonde hairdo. Bruce Watson and his wife Sandra were inside to lend their support. The venue was small and informal. Everything seemed perfect, then Ian Grant got on stage to announce that Stuart was too ill to play and had been taken to a doctor. The choice was to cancel the show completely, or The Raphaels would play without him. It was no choice really, the audience unanimously agreed the show should go on. Ian also said that Stuart felt really bad about the situation, and would stay in Scotland until he was well enough to play a free concert to anyone who wanted to come and hear him. Ian also said that Bruce had offered to play guitar with Stuart if he wanted. Whatever happens, everybody wishes Stuart a speedy recovery. Anyway, on with the show. Marcus & John opened with a lovely song called Cowboy Take Me Away. Mark then came on stage for another non Raphaels number which Marcus said was his 'first hit'  called Only Love. Lawrie's  bass playing was then added and Supernatural followed, sounding really good with an extended ending. At one point, somebody shouted for Rockin' In The Free World, and Marcus responded with a fantastic version of another Neil Young song, The Needle And The Damage Done. Without being able to feature any of Stuart's songs, a fair amount of improvisation took place to 'fill the gaps'. Full credit must go to all the band, especially Mark who drummed on songs that he had never heard before. Mark also provided back up vocals on most of the songs giving an interesting new perception of Marcus's melodies. It must be said that despite Stuart's absence, nobody heckled, nobody complained.  Marcus and the band got an excellent reception from an appreciative audience, and he should be left in no doubt that he will be very welcome in Edinburgh again with or without Stuart Adamson.   It was a good night !!!  Stuart Christie. 

Shelter@Vicars Street, Dublin...May 20, 2001 

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