| REVIEWS |
| Here are some of the things people are saying about the Mice... (also check out our e-reviews!) |
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Reviews
of gig at Bar Blue, Eastbourne (1st May 2007) It was a intimate gig, with an audience of all ages and nobody was disappointed. The atmosphere was charged and both young and old were tapping their feet, clapping along and in some cases on their feet dancing. 3BM's music is self written and very different yet also very commercial in its own way. As it was my first time of seeing them, I did not know the songs, but that didn't matter in the least. All in all, it was a brilliant night out and I would seriously recommend seeing them when they come to Eastbourne again. They are booked to play the Gold Room at the Winter Garden on Sunday 5th August and if anyone wants a great night out, this is the place to be! They currently have a new album out called "Good Grief" and it's fab!" - Stephanie Walters (b) Review taken from the Go West Forum "... I phoned Stephy during the sound check, they were leaving home soon!! Then a figure that I recognised from old photos of the band appeared in the doorway!! It was Garry one of the founding members of the band,who left two years ago to move to Eastbourne!! At last, one ambition fulfilled, I've met Garry, writer of the best ever song about a tree!!! Then Alex and Lyndon were setting up another mike....OMG Garry was going to sing...two ambitions in one night!!!!! What more could a girl ask for!!! ... the Mice started to play.A mix of new and very old stuff.... Garry joined them on stage for a couple of numbers, one in each half, and again for the encore..the wonderfully poignant Jack and Billy. Alex did a fantastic Pray God, at which point Stephy tapped me on the shoulder as she had recognised my strap line in the lyrics!! In the later half of the second half Stephy and I started the Westie high clap and people did join in!! The crowd were YOUNG and enthusiasic,clapping and cheering. Everyone was having a great time. I was lucky enough the have the joy that is Mouse in stereo...Alex, Lyndon and Sean from the stage in front and Garry singing in my left ear from behind!!!!!! As usual it ended all too soon. ... If you are in the Eastbourne area on Sunday 5th August, you really could do a lot worse than join the Mice in the Gold Room at The Winter Gardens. ... ... Was an hour and a half gig worth the 7 hour round trip................you bet it was!!!!!!!!" - Anjella (aka Candy Mouse!). |
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Reviews
of gig at the R.M.A. Tavern, Portsmouth (8th April 2007): "I had previously seen 3 Blind Mice on the Battersea Barge in London with some of my close friends and therefore was really happy that Nick had arranged another night of mouse music in Portsmouth!! .... 3 Blind Mice were up next. This band is fantastic. Some of them spend their days touring with artists like Take That, Go West and Level 42 - but in my opinion 3 Blind Mice are better than all of these bands. In their own gigs they get to show off what good songswriters they are and what great chemistry they have on stage - with the audience as much as with the rest of the band. With a sound that conjures up images of Crosby, Stills and Nash, Crowded House, XTC, Beach Boys, 3 Blind Mice give a big performance filled with sophisticated harmonies, great lyrics and a bassist, drummer and lead guitarist with a kick to push the songs out with immediacy. A fourth vocalist, Frankie, was on stage too to add more kick to the harmonies. After a fantastic 2 hour set without a break, 3 Blind Mice left the stage to enormous applause. The doors closed and the private "after show party" began. This was a free for all, where the remaning people, mostly local musicians and their friends got to perform a short accoustic set infront of the people who had entertained them earlier. Performers included Nick Courtney with Brad on bass, Gareth Howells, Leigh Stokes, Frankie Jack, Helen and Matt, Alex and Lyndon from 3BM, Big Tom on harmonica and Tam on keyboards. It was a superb session of great music scattered with tomfoolery that lasted well into the early hours of Monday morning. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night. - Gareth Howells (b) Review taken from the Go West Forum , where you can also see photos of the gig. "...3 Blind Mice arrived 'on stage' at 9.15 and started with one of my personal favourites Pray God. Alex's superb vocals were backed by Lyndon as ever on keyboards, Sean on drums and Frankie singing backing vocals!! We were treated to five songs from the new album including the international award winning 'Paper'.It's one of those songs that make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.Lyndon has written a new song about his lovely lady, Victoria - The Farmers Wife - called Flowers and he sang it to her beautifully!! Big Tom joined the guys for the last number. As ever the end came too quickly and roars of MORE went up. Nick, the promoter, said they could have another 15 minutes so, of course, they played the long version of 'Ride On' with Nigel playing a fantastic guitar solo!! As the applause faded Nick informed everyone that there would be on open jam session later. Slowly the pub got less and less crowded as the people left, some clutching their shiny,new copy of Good Grief!! As you would expect of me I was at the front dancing throughout the gig. If you look at Grahams photos you can see bits of me!! Hair's had a drastic cut!! Anyway the jam session, led by the Mice, went on until 3am when Nick took the guitar (and his tired wife) home!! Hope to see some of you in Eastbourne on 1st May!!" - Anjella (aka Candy Mouse!). |
| Reviews
of gig on the Battersea Barge (22 March 2007): Review taken from the Go West Forum " First night of the 3 Blind Mice tour was last Thursday. The show started with the support act 'Silver Sam' who sang a few risque little ditties that set the mood nicely. After a fantastic introduction by Frankie the boys started playing and I started dancing!! It was a brilliant mix of music, both old and new. The small audience warmed up slowly but they all wrote great things in the 'guestbook' so they must have enjoyed the show!! The on stage banter between the guys and the guests was as hilarious as ever. As the evening progressed the number of 'Mouseketeers' on stage grew from four up to seven...but not necessarily the same seven!! Lyndon on keyboads, Alex on guitar and Sean on drums make up the core of the band and they were ably supported by Frankie on percussion, backing vocals and kazoo, Andy on bass, Nigel on guitar, Ian on Sax, Peter, the Barge owner, on keyboards and finally Big Tom on harmonica. The guys left the stage to shouts of 'more more' and when they returned Peter took over the keyboards and Lyndon stood centre stage and sang the best rendition of the Beatles 'I Saw Her Standing There' that I've ever had the pleasure to hear. Lyndon looked very comfortable standing centre stage (like a certain Mr Cox!). As the song ended and the band began again to disperse the chant went up 'Tom Tom Tom Tom'--led, I'm proud to admit, by the author of this modest review!! Tom made his way to the stage and the Mice played, what has become, by popular demand, their closing number 'Ride On'. "It'll be the short version" cried Lyndon as he took his place behind the keyboard ... that meant the eight minute version!! I was privileged to be the first to arrive and the last to leave...in fact I left so late that I missed the last train and the very wonderful Victoria, manager of all things Mice, had to give me a lift to Paddington were my very patient and understanding husband came to get me!!! LASTLY, the long awaited album 'Good Grief' has arrived and is available at 'Catsaway.com',just click on the music link. The velvet voice of a certain Mr Peter Cox can clearly be heard on the album!!" - Anjella (aka Candy Mouse!). |
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Review
of BTWF Vol 1, rated 8/10: "I heard 3 Blind Mice the first
time a few weeks ago on the Digital
Flotsam podcast. Since then I think I've heard them on a further 3 or 4
podcasts, including right now as I listen to the latest BitJobs for the
Masses podcast. Their style of music is very mellow, sort of folk with
a hint of pop/rock. I've heard them compared to early Genesis and until
I heard that, I had a real problem trying to think of anyone they
actually sound like. Even now, I think the only other band I can think
of is Steely Dan. That's' not a bad thing in my mind, as I think it's a
very powerful to have your own distinct sound, as long it's something
people will enjoy.... I think the only real criticism I have is the album length. At just over 30 or so minutes, it's a little on the short side, which seems to be a popular occurrence lately with albums, but still this is one fabulous sounding album. "Let Me In" is my favorite track on the album, however "Piggy in the Middle" isn't far behind and has one of those hooks that keeps you humming it long after it's finished. Conclusion : If you like to relax and listen to something a bit laid back, this is a great album. I'm looking forward to hearing more from them in the future." Review of BTWF Vol 2, rated 9/10: "I make no secret of the fact that I'm a big fan of this band. This is the second volume of their Before They Were Famous series and although recorded at around the same time as volume 1, it has a much more rounded sound with some great harmonies. The song Emily Has Compassionate Fatique was the track that first brought the band to my attention and it is still my favorite song of theirs. It's one of those songs that fools you with it's simplicity, but man does it tick in your head. Another of the wonderful thing about this track is the lyrics. Where else can you find a line like "pizza eats a millions tree", fantastic stuff... ...With 8 tracks this is again a little on the short side, but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. Storyteller has one of those great openings with beautiful harmonies that unfold into a wonderfully simple melodic piece. Other stand out tracks on this CD are Don't Go Telling me and Baby and All. A special mention has to go to track 6, Steel, which is a song of epic proportions, not only in it's very Genesis sounding production, but also in it's epic 10 minute 33 seconds length. It starts very simply and build and builds.... ...Conclusion : For anyone who is a fan of 3 Blind Mice, you won't need any prompting to go out and buy this CD. For anyone who hasn't heard 3 Blind Mice before, I personally would say this is the best of the two CDs, to purchase first. With a new album on the horizon I'm looking forward to hearing a lot more from them in the near future." Colin Meeks - Indie Launchpad (December
2005)
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"I know there are words and praises that have been given to 3 Blind Mice, and I don't want to cheapen those words. I have to admit that I was completely surprised at the talent level that this band possesses. The music is truly outstanding, and vocals are... well.... wonderful! The musical scores were definitely tight, and well executed. I was truly grateful that they would want to be on my program, the "On The Horizon" show. I was pleasantly surprised, and possibly a little shocked that not only were they excellent musicians, but also that they were wonderful people as well. I had a great time interviewing Lyndon, Alex, and Victoria (the "Farmers Wife"), and this is one interview I will truly remember. The camaraderie of this group is truly something special. I sincerely look forward to their full length album coming out this year. Groups this good do not come along very often. So, I am enjoying it while I can! I would highly recommend 3 Blind Mice!" John Anderson - On The Horizon Radio Show (March 2005) |
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"...This
3 piece sounded more like a 4 or 5 piece, due mainly to the
excellent, tight playing, the gorgeously generous 3-part vocal
harmonies, and, basically, brilliant musicianship. The arrangements -
snappy, co-ordinated, dynamic and surprising - were noted by several of
us who were listening while we supped. This was the 'lite' version,
with only a snare drum, and no bass player or unexpected
fiddle/bagpipe/ukulele (there are rumours, you see).
Mac MacLaren, Editor - Lemonrock (August 2005) |
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"The infusion of sound is unbelievable. Jazz, rock, blues and pop are all merged together into a classic feel of timeless music. Three men with a passion for music and the skill to back up the passion, what more can you ask for? They've got it all and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg for them. The future of music has never been brighter than it is now and it's all thanks to bands like the 3 Blind Mice. They remind us of what music used to be and what it can be all in one sound. This is an amazing feat and I for one am grateful that they figured it out." Chanita Davis - MaliciousBitch.com (December 2004) |
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"You know those moments when you just want to kick back with a stiff drink and shake off the cares of the day with some music that makes you drift...well step forward 3 Blind Mice..." Unsigned Central (October 2004)
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"The art of the singer-songwriter is, thank goodness, not dead!" Bluebird Internet Radio, London (June 2004) |
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"Yes the boys are back and the music is just getting better and better. We just love these mythological, legendary, and faerie tale references.... we just can't get enough of this stuff!" Radio Mike, New York (April 2004) |
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"This is acoustic pop meets rock meets folk that is really easily to like and quite radio-friendly..." Past & Present Webzine (May 2004) |
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"Catchy, funny, clever and intriguing.... a very, very good song" (Emily Has Compassion Fatigue) Cam Bastedo - Gods of Music (September 2003) |
| "Wonderful piece of music.... I put on
the headphones and listened to this for a couple of hours and never
tired of it" (Jack &
Billy)
Walter Farmer - Gods of Music (September 2003) |
| "Outstanding and original acoustic pop
music."
UK Unsigned (July 2003) |
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"Their music is a mostly acoustic and very accomplished. 'Let Me in' is a sensitive number with dewy-eyed vocal harmonies not a million miles away from Simon and Garfunkel. 'The Bear Lies Down' has great lyrics and a nice laid-back mood. 'The Sun Still Shines' is warm and irresistibly catchy. The lead vocal is amazingly evocative. 'Piggy in the Middle' could have strayed from an early album by Crowded House. Its pop sensibility is startlingly mature. This album is a delightful listen." (Before They Were Famous, Vol. 1) Anna Maria Stjärnell - Luna Kafé (November 2003) |
| "VERY COOL!! REALLY like it!!!...3 Blind
Mice rule!"
Lord Litter's Radio Show (July 2003) |
| "The production, the singing, and the
songs are superb!.... It drew me in totally."
Roy Harper - Outer Shell (July 2003) |