Félix Rabin.. (Page 1 of 3)

Over the week-end a package arrived from Félix, copies of his DVD (the Swiss equivalent of an EP).  It features a couple extra tracks than are listed above; You’re A Lie and Heavy Rain; all the tracks bar Hey Joe being Félix originals.

I’ll concede from the start, despite being of the Oli Brown physique, he hasn’t the same vocal power, more comparable to John Mayer’s style: and if someone said my writing was like Jeremy Clarkson’s then it’s a compliment I’ll take. However, when it comes to guitar playing, this young guy is on the same page as Laurence Jones, Ben Poole etc. Beautiful mellow tone; he allows the notes to breathe before turning on the power; listen to Heavy Rain and you’ll have no doubt of his Blues credentials. Not sure what happens to the picture at the start of this track - maybe he comes over all Blackmore and kicks the cameraman. Very hard to pick a standout track, but by a pick’s width, for me it’s I Will Be Gone.

This DVD/EP is where musically, Félix was two years ago - there must be a mighty debut album ready to burst out of him by now.

If you're anywhere near, check out his London shows this week.

Felix mixing it with Quinn Sullivan a couple of years ago - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SL8ErEV04Q

Since it’s now listed on Gasto Promotions (in association with Mr John Tate Presents) mon jeune ami from Switzerland, Félix, will be supporting Rebecca Downes at Darlington Forum; 22nd June.

This week-end, I finally got a chance to not only meet Félix in person but to see him and his band up close and in action, twice! I knew via YouTube that they were good but totally blown away seeing them on stage, their range and versatility is breath-taking. From the atmospheric and building Down Our Roads. then they quickly changed gear to a rocking new song to me, The Lights. After a pause for breath, quick tune and band introductions - Nico behind the drums and Vincenzo on bass they launch into the ol' standard Crossroads, but with a slightly funky twist and a touch of SRV in the mix. Then barely pausing for breath, they ease into another new original, Angels.  Proving their worth as a power-trio, the lads then rip into an 8 minute run through of Voodoo Chile, and boy did they ever turn it on. And finally, to prove this young guy has Blues in his blood, a superb older original, Heavy Rain, melting into The New Blues.

For a young guy, indeed, young band who's previous UK experiences over the last year has been in London cellar bars, they came north maybe with anticipation but with purpose and won. My prejudice aside, they were confident on stage, tight and fluid. Certainly the audiences at Darlington and Durham seemed to warm to them - I noticed more people coming into and staying in the rooms than walking out to the bar; not only that but Félix was sold-out of the limited merchandise in Darlington alone; and folk there don't part with money easily.

Sticking my neck out, probably the best French band I've heard since Shakin' Street back in the 1980s, but I don't know if I can really say that with Nico & Vincenzo being Italian. To do one of my car analogies that John Tate enjoys, then I'd compare Félix to an Alpine A110; a small, handsome vehicle that was able punch above it's size to frighten even Porches. On a personal level, I would also that Félix is one of the most personable young players I've met, on a par with Laurence Jones, The Mentulls or Virgil McMahon: how he compares on talent is not for me to say, but the flame is there and so is the motivation; you're going to hear a lot more of this guy.

From Darlington:-
Down Our Roads / The Lights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCsaNJgHyqg
Crossroads - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuZQjdEr3oU
Angels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4zYl0I_O2U
Voodoo Chile - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsca9c1vdq8
The New Blues - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU9aT-40RIM

Alternate views of Felix' opening slot at Darlington Forum (22-6-18)

1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6XeuI5wvmY
2) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35WDzqEQno8
3) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpSnU5N2Gu8
4) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9U05WbToj0
5) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hzT4ypLvec

And here's Felix the following afternoon, opening the 8th Durham Blues Festival:-

1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAMYn3i-qlA
2) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5gZGeYz1EM
3) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--iNMc5-5kw
4) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DHNvUy4jhI
5) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7Z7l4zeHqY

Bit of official promo for the lad:-

Solid Entertainments is delighted to announce that Félix Rabin will be appearing as special guest on the upcoming Wishbone Ash XLIX UK tour

The French 23 year old singer-songwriter and guitarist was inspired by musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Pink Floyd…..his style embodies these influences and blends contemporary Rock in many of its guises, with inventive riffs and moody melodies.  Loving music as long as he can recall, the desire to play came suddenly and when Félix picked up his first guitar at 15…....this is where the story began   

After touring around France, playing several times at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland where he was born and lived since childhood, Félix is now ready to take his music and open doors in new territories and fortunately, one of these is the UK!

Given the amazing response he has received after only a handful of appearances in this country, he says; “As a French guy, I really can feel that music is much more into the culture of English people - I mean you can feel that Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Wishbone Ash and all the other great ones come from here !”

As “special guest” on the Wishbone Ash XLIX UK Tour he will be playing at 28 of the 31 shows with his band throughout October & November this year.  On his presence on this tour, Wishbone Ash says “We are delighted to have French artist Félix Rabin featuring as special guest on our upcoming XLIX UK tour”.  In response to this Félix states;  “Extremely excited to be part of this adventure with such a legendary band.  I feel very honoured and can’t wait to hit the road, hoping to be a great discovery for the UK audience!”

In 2016 he penned a few songs for promotional purposes and after a few months on the road, it soon became clear that people liked what they saw and wanted to hear more, so Félix released a selection of his songs on CD.  Félix is planning to release his debut album in 2019 and it’s fair to say….........there are exciting times ahead for this young Frenchman….

You can have a look and listen to Félix doing what he does best; the atmospheric “Down Our Roads”at https://youtu.be/QTF6bb74u0o and a tribute to one of his idols (who needs no introduction), “Hey Joe” at https://youtu.be/2F3mY8LB9oo 

If you would like a copy of the tour artwork, photos, selection of tracks and more information on Félix, you can download them from the Digital Media Pack at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s8782g3jca55 … rk0ma?dl=0  If y.ou would prefer this material to be sent as attachments to an email, I will gladly do so.

There is no doubt that this will be a very special and memorable tour.  

Don’t miss out on seeing Félix with his band on the Wishbone Ash XLIX UK tour

For info on Dates, Venues and Advance Tickets, please visit http://wishboneash.com/tourdates/

You can see, hear and find out more about Félix at https://www.felixrabin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/felixrabinmusic/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpRUO0 … eqf9rXfXOQ

https://twitter.com/FelixRabinMusic

Plus - some new vid:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUUvqO5GCU4

Due to Whitby’s prohibition, it was unfortunate nobody could video Felix at the start of the tour. Fortunately, wasn’t the case at Leicester Y Theatre the following night:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1BHh7CI-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1y4LPo3whk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5wyUjJSHEY

Thank you adperry0

Speaking of magazine features, Felix has earned himself a page in the November Blues In Britain.... Bien mérité, mon ami

Other media:-

Original Rock Net – interview published on 24th October, see https://originalrock.net/2018/10/24/int … lix-rabin/

BBC Radio Derby -  The Top Floor (Show) recording from
10.00 a.m to 3.00 p.m on Thursday 1st November.  Felix played 5 original songs and 5 covers with his band and in between each song interviews took place. 
The interview with two songs goes out every night at 8.15pm on the week beginning 12th November and there’ll also be a video of one original song which will be posted online here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06jxy4n/clips 
Monday 12th - interview starts at 1hr 15min
Tuesday 13th - interview starts at 1hr 14.30
Wednesday 14th - Interview starts around 1hr:15min  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06p2m5s
Be fair to say same timing Thursday & Friday....
Each will be available for 28 days...

BBC Radio Wiltshire - The first session will be live on their afternoon show on Monday 5th November at 2.10 p.m.  This will include an interview/chat and playing one song.  After this at around 2.30 p.m. they will record Felix playing two more songs with his band plus another interview/chat and this will be broadcast at a later date on their Saturday show and on a new evening culture show (I have asked for the actual names of the shows)  This relates to the show at Thee Arts Centre in Swindon on Tuesday 6th November. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcwiltshire
The interview is at 13mins 36 seconds
And the performances are at 22mins 10 secs and 35mins 04 seconds…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06njtr9

Well, haven’t heard anything more, but so far for 2019 as well as appearing at Skegness in January my favourite French fret flicker has started getting together his debut British headline tour with a date announced for Kinross’ Green Room on April 19th.