Danny and The Champions of the World
Rather ashamedly this is the first time that I have seen them live! However, it won’t be the last.
How many gigs have you been to that start with a sample of a weather forecast? Well, not that many I’d say but that’s exactly what happens here, as the band kick off their set with the opening track that’s taken from their new album, You Are Not A Stranger Here, the rather excellent Talking A Good Game ensues and it’s a great lead into an incredibly special night here in the NAC.
Several tracks this evening are taken from it and it feels like a real treat early doors to be in same the room as this very unique and special unit.
Most members of the band have been Champions for a good while now, some since the very start and it shows (in a good way). They are such a very well drilled collective, masters of their trade, a super talented band for sure, a real class act.
If you don’t yet know of them, where have you been? (Only kidding?)
Think country, folk, rock-tinged soul and if that appeals then I recommend that you check them out.
I first became aware of Danny and his merry band of men in 2010 when for this very same magazine I reviewed their second album Streets Of Our Time. But rather ashamedly this is the first time that I have seen them live! However, it won’t be the last.
They seem quite undeterred that the crowd is so small, with under one hundred tickets sold for the gig! It’s an impeccable, polished, and professional performance.
As the evening draws to its close, support act, the wonderful Annie Dressner joins them on backing vocals for Sooner Or Later.
But they leave us with the classic Henry The Van, thanks to a fan request at a recent gig in Glasgow, so a big thank you to that person as it just rounds off the night perfectly.
As we exited St Benedict’s Street, it looked like Henry’s much younger brother was parked, just outside the NAC. Here’s hoping that it’s a long way off before the oil and water decide to mix in the same engine this time around!
This is now the eighth album of their career and it’s quite possibly their finest piece of work to date too? I suspect that You Are Not A Stranger Here will remain on a growing number of people’s playlists during 2025 and will get many a vote for their album of the year, come December?
Danny & The Champions Of The World are a wonderful band, with a leader who is probably the nicest man in the business, and he just loves our fine City.
Underrated and understated, make sure that you check them out next time that they are over this way, please.
