TYLA 
TYLA
"I'm an English outlaw ... built to last ..."
The following small selection of copyright protected live reviews have all appeared in past issues of Vagabond Hearts and MAY NOT BE RE-PRODUCED ANYWHERE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION
Bradford Rios, 10th
August 1995
A near capacity crowd waited in eager anticipation for the single figure to take to the stage. Yes, this was Tyla ~ here to perform one of his acoustic sets. Opener 'English Outlaw' gently prepared everyone for the catalogue of classic Dogs D'Amour tracks that was to follow. The excellent 'Satellite Kid', gentle 'Empty World' and acoustic favourite 'More Unchartered Heights of Disgrace' were all emotionally performed. The Wolverhampton Wonder at times being drowned out by the singing of the enthusiastic audience.
It's no secret that I love the Dogs D'Amour and their material to death but the old favourites take on a completely new meaning when played acoustically. 'Errol Flynn', 'The Last Bandit', 'Trail Of Tears' ~ the hits kept coming ... and the audience kept singing. 'Billy Two Rivers', which has always been a live favourite, went down especially well tonight ~ if you tried really hard, Tyla's guitar could just be heard over the terrific noise generated from the crowd. 'Johnny Silvers' rounded off tonight's set perfectly before Tyla just gave a modest "Thank you" to the Rios faithful before leaving the stage. There wasn't long to wait though before the Ballad Monger returned, amidst people chanting his name, to perform a blistering delivery of 'Angel', finally wrapping up the night with the excellent 'Bulletproof Poet' ~ both requested by members of the audience.
If I had to pick a special highlight out of a gig which contained so many, it would have to be the classic 'How Come It Never Rains' ~ a song that I will never get tired of hearing. Tonight, the anthem made an appearance midway through the set ~ Tyla being accompanied on stage by Spike. Sharing the vocals of this timeless song made for an awesome delivery. Needless to say, the crowd were singing all the way and after being constantly egged on by the Quireboys frontman, even the backing vocals were covered as well ~ the result ... well both Spike and Tyla gave up singing halfway through ~ need I say more?
One sad point of the evening was how the crowd's attention wandered slightly during the airing of completely new track, 'Break The Spell'. Hopefully though, now Tyla's CD ~ 'The Life and Times Of A Ballad Monger', is more readily available, this new track and others like it will soon be as well received as the rest of tonight's classic material.
In summary, this gig was AWESOME ~ together with headline band, The Quireboys, it was my gig of the year and judging by the rest of the loyal crowd's reaction ~ others were shouting "Reform" as Tyla left the stage ~ I wasn't the only one to feel this way. With crowd responses like this, it does make you wonder why this well loved and greatly missed band ever split up in the first place. All good things must come to an end though I suppose but as the Tyla solo track says: "I'm an English outlaw ... built to last", I certainly hope so.
Nottingham Rock City,
23rd March 1996
It was like 1989 all over again as I squeezed my way into the dark and smoky packed out Disco II of Nottingham Rock City tonight. Even though the much loved Dogs D'Amour are no more, their ever popular former frontman is still playing to near capacity crowds. So what if many gathered here, (including myself), are living in the past a little ~ it never hurts anyone to visit the old days once in a while. In fact, wrapped up in the guise of a gig like this, it can be a very enjoyable experience ... I only wish I could drop by more often!
From the moment the Wolverhampton Wonder took to the stage ~ battered guitar in one hand, pint of Guinness in the other ~ he found himself bombarded by a barrage of shouts from eager fans all requesting their favourite songs. For nearly two hours Tyla obliged, performing acoustic renditions of unforgettable classics from all six albums. There was no set list tonight, right from the start this was a show dictated by the fans. Beginning the proceedings with the trio of 'How Come It Never Rains', 'I Don't Want You To Go' and 'I Think It's Love Again', it was immediately obvious that it was going to be a special evening. Tyla was in top form and the spellbound audience loved every minute.
'Victims Of Success', 'Bloody Mary', the gentle 'Bulletproof Poet' and acoustic favourite 'More Unchartered Heights Of Disgrace' were all emotionally delivered, the Rock City faithful singing along all the way. Dedicated to Johnny Thunders, 'Johnny Silvers' and delicate 'Damnation' further captivated the loyal gathering. For me though, the haunting delivery of 'Heroine', complete with 'da da da da da da da' background vocals supplied by every voice in the room was a magical moment of the evening. Acoustically, this sounded not unlike 'The State We're In' version which is so much more effective than the later one. Saying that though, tonight's tender rendition of 'Princess Valium' must also be rated highly. Not often heard at an acoustic show, these two tracks have always been a couple of my favourites.
Encores tonight included a rowdy delivery of 'Two Black Eyes' closely followed by a sentimental rendition of 'Mad Bad Jack' and live favourite 'Angel'. The hits kept coming ... and the audience kept singing. 'Drunk Like Me' (complete with a well timed burp) and 'Trail Of Tears' emotionally concluding with the line, "all that remains of my pain is the Dogs D'Amour', further prolonged tonight's nostalgic journey before a blistering delivery of 'Ballad Of Jack' brought the evening to a close.
The audience cheered. Couples hugged. People of all ages sang their hearts out in unison having been brought together by one common factor ~ they were all fans of the music written by the solitary figure sitting before them. A figure who, amidst the chants of his name more suitable to a football match rather than an acoustic gig, continued to casually drink his pint and take the occasional nonchalant drag on a cigarette before modestly leaving the stage.
Bradford Rios, 11th
January 1997
Beginning tonight's proceedings with 'Last Bandit', it was clear from the start that Tyla was in high spirits. Exchanging witty remarks and comments with various audience members throughout, this onstage humour was constantly apparent as even the more melancholy of the tracks performed tonight were done so with a smile.
Although playing a good selection of old material, it was tracks from the 'Libertine' and 'Fragrantly Yours' albums which featured more in tonight's set. 'Angelina', 'Growin' Up', 'Here Forever', 'Ballad Of A Broken Heart', 'Lost In A Crowd Of One' and the excellent 'What If' were all well received by the mixed gathering of old and young fans.
Once again, Tyla was accompanied on stage by violinist Sarah, whose excellent delicate touch to 'Put It In Her Arm' for me was the most memorable moment of tonight's show. A song not often heard live, tonight's delivery was even more tearjerking than the original recording. Similarly, Sarah's fiddling expertise shone through during a rowdy rendition of new track, 'Villain's Price'.
It was the old classics that most people had been waiting to hear tonight though and Tyla as ever, aimed to please. 'Satellite Kid', 'Errol Flynn' and the surprise inclusion of 'What You Do' were all greeted by the obligatory singalong. The best was yet to come however as Tyla chose to end the show with the excellent duo of 'How Come It Never Rains' and 'I Don't Want You To Go' with what seemed like everyone in the club joining in of course. All too soon though, it was over and the band left the stage to shouts of more. Tyla never ceases to impress me live ... this was yet another gig to remember.
Bradford Rios, 3rd May 1997
Originally billed as an electric show, tonight's wonderful acoustic journey through the back catalogue of Tyla's vast career was a pleasant surprise. Of course, any Tyla show is memorable but when played acoustic like this, the old classics take on a whole new meaning and create a special atmosphere. Tonight did nothing to break with this tradition.
Shyly taking to the sparsely furnished stage which contained only the bare essentials ~ bar stool, guitar, red wine and Marlboros, Tyla gently began with the ever popular 'Last Bandit' much to the audience's delight. Despite the melancholy feel to tonight's show, the balladmonger was in good spirits throughout as he encouraged requests and exchanged remarks with various members of the enthusiastic gathering. There was no set list here ~ right from the start, this was a show dictated by the fans.
Tonight was a pure nostalgia trip as Tyla dished up such treats as 'Dynamite Jet Saloon', 'Swingin' The Bottle', 'Billy Two Rivers'. 'Johhny Silvers' ~ tenderly dedicated to Stiv Bators, 'Satellite Kid', 'Mr Barfly' and 'I Don't Want You To Go' which saw the crowd singing along with every word. Looking a little like a one man band, the ex~Dog took charge of both mouth organ and guitar to gently pour out 'Break The Spell' and 'All You Had' before heartfelt renditions of 'Empty World', 'The Woman Of My Dreams', 'Angelina' and 'Bulletproof Poet' further captivated the audience. There was even time to throw in a couple of brand new tracks amongst the much loved favourites too. 'The Only Girl I Ever Loved' and 'The Error Of My Ways' are another couple of sorrowful, tearstained ballads which held the crowd's attention throughout and will no doubt become as popular as the other material performed tonight.
It is almost impossible to pic out any specific highlights from a gig which contained so many but the inclusion of my own two personal favourite tracks, 'Princess Valium' and 'Heroine', ensured that I went home happy. Sincere and emotion~filled with everyone supplying backing vocals, these had to be two of the special moments of the show. As did the ever popular 'How Come It Never Rains', 'Two Black Eyes', 'Trail Of Tears' and 'Ballad Of Jack' which nearly raised the roof as Tya was once again accompanied by the exuberant fans.
This has to be a strong candidate for best gig of the year. Tonight, Tyla was in top form, brilliantly doing what he does best ... the result was absolutely breathtaking.
The Rig, Nottingham, 3rd
October 1998
Tyla has oodles of charm, bags of charisma and more talent in his little finger than many more popular musicians will ever know. His lyrics touch on feelings that everyone can relate to, emotions that most have been through. He’s like an old friend who’s been there, done that and lived to tell the tale … time and time again. Something his loyal following will never tire of. "I’ll be telling a few jokes tonight I’ll tell yer if I break some f**kin’ strings!" the former Dogs D’Amour frontman quipped before launching himself into a stunning rendition of ‘Angel’. Gorgeous new ballad ‘I’ve Got All These Dreams’ followed before Tyla asked the crowd what they would like to hear, adding that this would be his last gig on home turf for two years. Met by a barrage of shouts for just about every song of his career, the Wolverhampton Wanderer settled on the infamous ‘Satellite Kid’ which ran into a sentimental ‘Empty World’.
Obliging fans with rowdy deliveries of live favourites such as ’Errol Flynn’, ’Ballad Of Jack’, ’I Think It’s Love Again’ and ’Last Bandit’, right from the start, it was obvious that Tyla was in high spirits tonight as he constantly blended good humoured comments with the best of his impressive back catalogue. The ex-Dog even squeezed in a quick Reeves & Mortimer impression of the "pub singer" … is there no end to this man’s talents? "Two black eyes? It’s me f**kin’ new makeup from Max Factor, what’s the matter with ya?!" He joked with a member of the audience who requested the comical ‘Two Black Eyes’.
Any Tyla live outing is a memorable affair but when played acoustically like this, the old classics take on a whole new meaning and create a special atmosphere. Highlights of tonight’s emotional journey included captivating assaults of ‘Heroine’, ’Billy 2 Rivers’, ’She Thinks Too Much Of Me’ and ’How Come It Never Rains’ which saw every voice in the house providing backing vocals and nearly raised the roof in the process.
Other special moments were dished up in the form of a heartrending ’Princess Valium’ and irresistible ’In The Dynamite Jet Saloon’ which ran into a wonderful ’Swinging The Bottle’. Then there was the unforgettable duo of ‘I Don‘t Want You To Go‘ and ‘Drunk Like Me’. The latter was complete with a well timed burp and saw Tyla briefly return to the hilarious impressions – only this time, the saxophone fell victim to his mimicking.
Gently bringing the proceedings to a close with a tender encore of ‘More Unchartered Heights Of Disgrace’ which he introduced as one of his favourites, Tyla ended the set in the same heartfelt way in which it began. Never failing to impress me live … tonight was yet another Tyla gig to remember. Hopefully, he’ll decide to stop by again soon.
