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| (Pic by Russell) |
The first of Knats' "last Thursday in the month" jazz gigs at Hoochie was different - no surprise there! Every time I've seen the band they were different. However, the difference tonight was even more pronounced due to the absence of outstanding trumpet prodigy Ferg Kilsby. So what did they do - find another horn player? Nah! Instead they co-opted the vocal talents of rapper Holly Flo Lightly.
It worked amazingly well. She rapped the words with the rapidity of a speeded up Michael Brecker solo and when she moved out of the fast lane the voice was as mellow as a cello.
The band themselves were on form with Woodward proving as adept a frontman as he is on fretless bass guitar. Mitchell-Rayner had some good solos although he would have benefitted from a tad more volume. It was a whoopin' and a hollerin' crowd!
No such problems for King David who kept the whole shebang rockin' along.
The only criticism was the decision to take a break mid-set when they had the crowd in the palm of their hand which allowed some to drift away.
The material was an eclectic mix of originals by the band, Holly and other sources such as Skepta and Roni Size.
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| (Pic by Lance) |
Swannek were billed as the support band but, in truth, this was really a double-header thanks to the ebullient presence of Mollie out front. Think of Janis or Tina or Etta or the early Lulu and you've got an idea where she's coming from. Not a copyist but one who nevertheless evokes the same feeling, the same mix of fun and intensity.
Graham, a veteran of a 1000 jam sessions, slotted in well, his tasty tenor providing rare moments of sanity.
The younger members (sorry Graham!) also proved to be up for it. If this is the alternative face of jazz today I too am up for it!
The packed room suggests this could be another winner for Warren! Lance
1 comment :
What a fab night this was! Swannek were great - then the boys with Holly Flo!! She's something else - in that eye catching green jump suit! I'd love to get some of the lyrics to her numbers - she was rapping so fast it was hard to catch the words ...... You could see how much Stan and the boys were loving it!
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