The economy maybe collapsing around us. We might have to dig our own graves when it is time to for those clogs to pop and the possibility of ever owning your own home is receding faster than Wayne Rooney's hairline. But there is always something that you can rely on – a rip roaring, nose snorting, filthy funking, body dunking night of pure get-down-and-dirty rockin' blues-acid-country-gospel from south London posse Alabama 3.
At a time when pensioner 'Keef' is plugging his book about 1970's excess in the Rolling Stones this bunch of Brixton bohos are writing their own chapter in rock n' roll's book of decadence and it makes for a much more entertaining read.
Taking to the stage at this much improved Mandela Hall venue in front of a very healthy crowd, in size anyway, and sporting the now obligatory titfers and clutching bottles of wine and lager they launched straight into Are you a Soldier?
If listening to Alabama three is like listening to soul music with a gun against your head then this went off with a proper bang.
This was the last night of the tour supporting this year's product Revolver Soul and both the band and audience were up for a party with Dr Love conducting proceedings with a baton-like arm that the amorphous crowd responded to by bending and bucking their bodies as one.
One of the highlights was the wonderful vocal range displayed by backing vocalist Aurora Dawn. An artist in her own right, she is a wonderful replacement for Devlin Love who has been on baby leave.
Her vocals feature on the latest album from where most of tonight's tunes are lifted together with the best from the seminal Exile on Coldharbour Lane. Featuring on the new album are Johnny Borrell, Shane McGowan, Tenor Fly and Daddy Freddy, none of whom made an appearance tonight. But they weren't needed. There was already enough juice on stage to light the deepest darkest Chilean mine.
The insistence of front men Dr. D. Wayne Love and Larry Love in speaking in a cod American accent can grate, but for many probably added to the sense of occasion. But it was the music that we all came to hear and feel. And if Alabama 3 aren't the best live band in Britain then I'm a Dutchman.
There you have it. An Alabama 3 review without mention of the Sopranos and its theme song. Doh!
At a time when pensioner 'Keef' is plugging his book about 1970's excess in the Rolling Stones this bunch of Brixton bohos are writing their own chapter in rock n' roll's book of decadence and it makes for a much more entertaining read.
Taking to the stage at this much improved Mandela Hall venue in front of a very healthy crowd, in size anyway, and sporting the now obligatory titfers and clutching bottles of wine and lager they launched straight into Are you a Soldier?
If listening to Alabama three is like listening to soul music with a gun against your head then this went off with a proper bang.
This was the last night of the tour supporting this year's product Revolver Soul and both the band and audience were up for a party with Dr Love conducting proceedings with a baton-like arm that the amorphous crowd responded to by bending and bucking their bodies as one.
One of the highlights was the wonderful vocal range displayed by backing vocalist Aurora Dawn. An artist in her own right, she is a wonderful replacement for Devlin Love who has been on baby leave.
Her vocals feature on the latest album from where most of tonight's tunes are lifted together with the best from the seminal Exile on Coldharbour Lane. Featuring on the new album are Johnny Borrell, Shane McGowan, Tenor Fly and Daddy Freddy, none of whom made an appearance tonight. But they weren't needed. There was already enough juice on stage to light the deepest darkest Chilean mine.
The insistence of front men Dr. D. Wayne Love and Larry Love in speaking in a cod American accent can grate, but for many probably added to the sense of occasion. But it was the music that we all came to hear and feel. And if Alabama 3 aren't the best live band in Britain then I'm a Dutchman.
There you have it. An Alabama 3 review without mention of the Sopranos and its theme song. Doh!
