Ray Harris
(keys/vocals); Euan Malloch (guitar/vocals); Marcus Cordock (bass guitar/vocals);
Signy Jakobsdottir (percussion); Gary Montgomery (drums) + Hannabiell
Saunders (percussion).
(Review by Nathan Allonby).
What do you get if you mix five outstanding musicians, who have played together for years and know each other well? Six albums and a rip-roaring night at Hoochie Coochie!
Many of us have heard Ray Harris at Hoochie Coochie before, so we knew this would be a "Don't miss" event - they didn't let us down.
Although billed under the leader's name, it's a bit like the Duke Ellington Orchestra, a band where every member should be a star in their own right. This is very much a close collaboration where every member contributes equally. Several of the titles from their new album were written collectively. It's really exciting to hear such a tight band.
Mid-way through, Ray gave the audience some
amazing patter about what the band had done in the year since their last gig at
Hoochie, including finding the time to master Chopin's nocturnes - Ray gave a
(very polished) rendition of one, which morphed into hilarious variations in
two different styles (Jazz and Rock) before ending up as the introduction to
Stevie Wonder's Superstition - a number that got everyone onto the dance floor. That
seemed like a very clear statement of the point of exploring every musical
style, rather than remaining within one ghetto.
Old friend Hannabiell joined the band for the second half, adding spice to an already powerful rhythm section. What a night!
Warren, the owner of Hoochie Coochie, has lined up a series of outstanding bands for July and August. He really loves his music and is willing to accept that good music, sadly, doesn’t always pay the bills. What is tragic, however, is that it seems not all music fans are aware of the high quality of music he books. Spread the word – don't miss these great acts!
Hoochie - forthcoming events.
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