Shelleyan Orphan - Slaughtered Lamb, London, 16/4/2009
by Anthony Strutt
published: 18 / 4 / 2009

intro
At a sparsely attended gig at the Slaughtered Lamb in London, Anthony Strutt watches reformed 80s duo Shelleyan Orphan play a lushly beautiful and intimate set
The Slaughtered Lamb is a venue, which to be honest, I had never heard of until about a week before this gig. Beth Orton did a secret show there to plug the remaster of ‘Trailer Park’, but I couldn't make it. It is a venue that hosts a lot of secret warm ups and which is in a basement of a trendy pub that is full of luxury sofas. Despite this Shelleyan Orphan play to a mere 23 punters including support bands and girlfriends and bar staff, which is frankly shocking. Tonight the gig is unplugged and acoustic and Shelleyan perform as a two piece. The music is soft and lush and very beautiful. Caroline Crawley and Jem Tayle play to the mere few with such a warm intense feeling that, despite the small audience, their lovely songs are instantly very cheering for everyone there. They play just guitar, a squeeze box machine and something that is between both as well as both sing, and they even throw in a cover of T Rex's ‘Life's a Gas’. This was a totally blissful experience for everyone who made the effort and was well worth the trip.
Picture Gallery:-


interviews |
Interview (2009) |
![]() |
Classically-influenced group Shelleyan Orphan caused surprising controversy in the 1980s. John Clarkson talks to Caroline Crawley and Jem Tayle from the group about those years, their recent reformation and much acclaimed new album, 'We Have Everything We Need' |
digital downloads
reviews |
We Have Everything We Need (2008) |
![]() |
Experimental, eclectic alternative pop on fine fourth album from Bournmouth-based duo Shelleyann Orphan, who are back after a sixteen year hiatus |
most viewed articles
current edition
Cornbury Music Festival - Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, 8/7/2022...10/7/2022 -The Final GoodbyeBathers - (With Cowboy Mouth and Sugartown), Strathaven Hotel, Strathavan, 17/6/2022
Felix Cavaliere - From Pelham, NY to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame
NIck Godfrey - Interview
Prolapse - Peel Sessions 20.08.94 and 08.04.97
Queen and Adam Lambert - O2 Arena, London, 20/6/2022
Andy Ellison - Interview
Dorothy Bird - Jimmy's, Liverpool, 30/6/2022
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Sarah Cracknell - Interview
previous editions
World Party - InterviewSam Brown - Interview 2008
Cliff Richard - Vs Elvis Presley
Television - The Drug of the Nation : Part 2
Television - The Drug of the Nation : Part 1
Richard Hawley - Leadmill, Sheffield, 11/9/2005
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Candlelight Tribute to Coldplay - Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, 1/4/2022
Oasis - London Finsbury Park, 5/7/2002
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
most viewed reviews
current edition
Hurrah! - David Jensen 08.12.82Moon Under Water - Fragments EP
Paolo Nutini - Last Night in the Bittersweet
Marine Research - John Peel 18.05.99
Brooks Williams and Aaron Catlow - Ready for the Times
Burning Hell - Garbage Island
Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp - 18
Dave Edwards - Many Rivers
Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler - For All Our Days That Tear The Heart
Blue Orchids - Angus Tempus Memoir
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart