AUK favourites, GospelbeacH, have announced five UK dates following the release of their latest album, ‘Let It Burn’ which came out last October through Alive Naturalsound Records. The record has the same sunny California disposition for which the band are renowned, infused with a late ’60s/early ’70s cosmic country vibe and the mellifluous melodies of the Burritos, The Byrds and GP.
‘Let It Burn’ is the follow up to GospelbeacH’s 2017 album ‘Another Summer of Love’ (our editor’s own favourite album of the same year – “Laurel Canyon vibes and bloody brilliant” as he fittingly described it), the third proper studio album by the Los Angeles band, and which featured the return of virtuoso guitarist Neal Casal, who sadly died last year. His passing is sure to make these shows emotionally loaded performances, but ones that will also offer afford an opportunity to celebrate his life’s work and legacy.
In our review of ‘Let It Burn’ we said: “Casal’s guitar shines through the album, ranging from his powerful solo work on ‘Bad Habits’ calling up the spirit of Quicksilver Messenger Service, or perhaps Man to the melodic phrasing of ‘Unswung’, the rockier riffs of ‘Dark Angel’ and ‘Nothing Ever Changes’ and atmospheric fills and powerful outro on ‘Get it Back’ and ‘Fighter’.
Universally strong songs range in tempo from the lazy ballad pace of ‘Baby It’s All Your Fault’, ‘Get it Back’ and ‘Fighter’, through the mid paced ‘Bad Habits’ and ‘Let It Burn’ to the uptempo songs including ‘I’m So High’, the poppy ‘Unswung’ and rockier ‘Nothing Ever Changes’. An excellent album, and a fitting tribute to a great guitarist at his peak.”
You can celebrate the joyous sounds of GospelbeacH while paying homage to Neal Casal at one of the following dates:
FEB 25 – Brighton, Prince Albert
FEB 26 – Hackney, London, Moth Club (with The Hanging Stars)
FEB 27 – Manchester, Soup Kitchen
FEB 28 – York, Fulford Arms
FEB 29 – Liverpool, Outpost
