Here’s a gig review I wrote for the current issue of The Crack magazine. It’s also on their website.

Danny and the Champions of the World
The Cluny, Newcastle

Billed as a “Celebration of Yesness”, Danny George Wilson, formerly of fab Americana combo Grand Drive, brought his latest musical outfit back to the north-east following a cracking appearance at July’s SummerTyne. Freezing weather and forecasts of four inches of snow meant there were only around 40 people in attendance, but the sparse crowd couldn’t dent this band’s infectious enthusiasm. A permanently grinning Danny, looking unnervingly like Keith Lemon in a lumberjack shirt, held centre stage as his happy band of Champions swapped instruments, encouraged audience participation, and wandered around the venue playing trumpets. At one point there were nine musicians on stage – think an alt-country Polyphonic Spree – and with a bill boasting four support acts we were certainly getting value for money at a recession-busting six quid. Singles The Truest Kind and I Still Believe were set highlights, and the band also joyously jammed their way through takes on My Girl and Tracks of My Tears, before ending with a rousing version of The Band’s The Weight. A victory for Yesness.

Get the debut album on CD or download from Amazon.
Have a listen at Danny and the Champs’ MySpace page.

Paul Music