Friday 28th March 08 - Thisisull Live featuring CrackTown, Black and White Tango and Mermaids in the Basement at the Adelphi By Michelle Dee (1/3) Photos by Lucinda Livingstone Photography and Michelle Dee www.myspace.com/lucindalphotography

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

Photography Gallery Lucinda Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Michelle Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3.

A poorly fish was I on this dank Friday night, and after a series of delays I wasn't expecting the best of nights. How wrong was I? Just after eight there were queues outside and they kept coming in until well into the second band. An odd billing perhaps, putting CrackTown on with a couple of guitar and keys exponents but one which worked surprisingly well.

CrackTown, well known for their acerbic wit and jangly bluesy folk observations have waited nigh on eleven months to play our unique and varied thisisUll Live music nights. As the first shrill blast emanated from the stage, an excited voice exclaimed 'Oh, its that harmonica guy' and promptly ran in to the darkened room as quick as a rabbit down a hole. Raucous laughter and cheers greeted each dry quip each expletive both on and off stage and CrackTown shoved two fingers up at conformity and entertained a new crowd and they loved every minute.

Even King Rat's guitar that sounded like a cat being kicked down a dark alley, did nothing to disrupt the fun we were having. Songs about scenesters line up side by side with upbeat numbers about despots and dictators. They finished off amidst cheers for more on Best Of British - an old stalwart. It's like the old adage says: the cream rises to the top and tonight, despite the guitar, the beer festival and an untested crowd, CrackTown rose to the occasion and surpassed themselves.

Charlton Heston's just died so a strong chance of that one making an appearance when the band play alongside Brighton folk Pog and Wob later this April, along with, I hope, the much talked about Nazi Girl. I've had a bee in my bonnet about Black and White Tango for months now and have shared said bee with anyone who'd listen. Since then the relatively new band have played a string of gigs including some timely support slots and headlining at the ever popular Sesh night. They caught my ear with the contrasting sounds of jazz rhythms, plaintive piano and sweeping vocal refrains. First to the keyboard - a place where I imagine many of Black and White Tango's songs originate.

Continued .... Next Page (2/3)

Photography Gallery Lucinda Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Michelle Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3.

Photographs Copyright © 2007  Lucinda Livingstone Photography and Michelle Dee

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