Five Reasons to See ... Denise Black's Loose ScrewDate: 17 November 2009
Denise Black is probably best known as saucy hairdresser Denise Osbourne in Coronation Street, a role she played from '92 to '96, and other TV series including Bad Girls and Queer As Folk. But now, she's going back to her 'first love' - performing with a band and singing the songs she loves best - with a new cabaret show at London’s Pizza on the Park venue. Here, she gives us five good reasons to go along...
1. Join me in the fun I may be better known for acting, but actually I’ve been singing just as long and survived several years on the comedy circuit - most recently on tour with
Grumpy Old Women Live. I met my songwriting hubbie Paul Sand in the early '80s at an audition which promised a year touring the world with an equity card. I made sure I got the job! Together we gigged endlessly, including several years with fellow actresses and Kray Sisters Josie Lawrence and Kate McKenzie. I left off singing to concentrate on my TV career (
Coronation Street, Queer As Folk, Bad Girls...) while my kids were growing up, but now they've fled the nest, I am up to my old tricks with my new band 'The Loose Screw'. Kate will be joining me for some of the Pizza On The Park shows and has guested on a couple of the tracks on my new album
First Fourteen.
2. The Songs are fab
People say I'm a bit of a maverick with a strong stage presence, and my songs are equally unusual. The sound is smooth, harmonic and brim full of love. I like to call it 'Love Rock' - a mix of new songs - "I Fall In Love Ev'ry Day", "Falling In And Out Of Love (With You)", "Letting Go" - unusual covers - a 19th century folk classic "Are You Tired Of Me My Darling?", a pick me up song from the '30s "Wake Up!", 60s iconic pop songs like "Tell Him" and Denny Laine's "Say You Don't Mind", and Rufus Wainwright's exquisite "Dinner at Eight".
3. My musicians are awesome
I have always loved musicians (they have wonderful hands) and my Loose Screw musicians are really exquisite. Lead guitarist Graeme Taylor is widely known on the folk rock scene, and has been working for nigh on forty years composing/playing/orchestrating in bands, recording studios, on TV, radio and theatre - basically anywhere where there was the promise of a classy glass of red. Ben Grove (guitar), Hedi Pinkerfeld (bass) and Michael Gregory (drums) are a tight as tight rhythm section. Everyone sings - and most important of all - we love playing together.
4. Pizzas are tasty
For those of you who don't know the live lounge downstairs at the Pizza On The Park, yes it's Knightsbridge, yes it's classy, but let's not forget - those pizzas are very tasty and great value!
5. And finally...
I have had a very sexy new dress made from an original design made for me for 'The Sins' with Pete Postlethwaite and Frank Finlay. So, dress up in your glad rags and come and join the fun... see you there!
Denise Black's Loose Screw is at Pizza on the Park from 17-21 November. For more info visit www.pizzaexpresslive.com or www.myspace.com/deniseblacksloosescrew
Related Content
