Not only are Key Grip great communicators with their audience but they also play so well. This is around the blues scene but not all 12-bars. Plenty of nicely complex chordal movements, piano but also organ, that mainstay of a New Orleans-adjacent style, paens of love and loss and such blues themes from all manner of renowned artists (Dr John, Jon Cleary, Bonnie Raitt) and some hugely satisfying and involving and just plain correct bass-drum grooves. These are all known names on our local scene and obviously have a retinue of followers but also good friends. I'd seen them years back but not recently, and this return was a huge pleasure. There's joy here in playing together and obvious skills and experience. Angela and Leo have been doing it as duos and more for ages, with Mitch all along. Alec has played the cruise ships and you can feel that readiness and ability to perform (and such a great tone), and Lauren adds that touch of jazz chops but with a dirty blues edge. Just a fabulous combination. This gig was called at the last minute when there was an empty spot at Smiths and the players happened to be free. It was partly to celebrate Mitch's birthday of a day before, so we heard plenty from Mitch as MC and he called the tunes and was a source of much jovial presence. So much fun and so nicely done. Loved this one!
Key Grip played at Smiths. They comprise Leo Joseph (piano, organ, vocals), Angela Lount (vocals), Lauren Thurlow (tenor), Alec Coulson (bass), Mitch Preston (drums).
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