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Pokey LaFarge & South City Three + Rob Heron & The Teapad Orchestra

Venue: The Kazimier
Town: Liverpool
Date: 23rd October
Website: http://www.pokeylafarge.net

I was awaiting this gig with great anticipation and I was not disappointed. I had been wanting to see Pokey LaFarge and South City Three for a long time and where better to see them than in the rather quaint, retro surroundings of the Kazimier on Liverpool's bohemian Wolstenholme Square. As if that were not enough, we also had a tremendous support set from the very wonderful Rob Heron and The Teapad Orchestra.

Rob and the Orchestra were the perfect opening act for Pokey, as they share the same ethos of making original music that uses vintage styles.

Hailing from Newcastle, their music is a glorious blend of blues, hot club jazz, swing and cajun. The Orchestra is led by Rob Heron on vocals and rhythm guitar and features Tom Cronin on mandolin/harmonica; Colin Nicholson on accordion; Ben Fitzgerald on lead guitar; Rob Blazey on double bass and Dav Shiel on drums [including a suitcase for a bass drum!]. The line up also features cornet and all members of the band contribute backing vocals.

The show featured songs from their superb album "Money Isn't Everything ", recorded in Newcastle in June 2012, and which is highly recommended. If anything the band is even better live than on record and their infectious rhythms soon had the usually reserved audience up and dancing in no time at all. If this band had been supporting anyone other than Pokey and band, they would have blown them off stage but instead we had one great performance followed by another.

Pokey and South City Three took to the stage to rapturous applause from the sold-out audience. Pokey and band were touring in support of their excellent new album "Live in Holland". I know that I have already used the word "infectious" above, in respect of the support band but I am afraid that I will have to use it again in relation to Pokey and band. They really are a stunning live act, with their "infectious" [sorry]and unique blend of old time jugband/ragtime/ country/ swing and blues styles. It is Pokey's proud claim that his is not retro music but American Music that never died. All I can say that in Pokey's hands it is alive and well.

Pokey is a superb frontman and immediately established a great rapport with the audience, many of whom had travelled a considerable distance to see this show [ a couple next to me had come from West Yorkshire, for example]. Pokey is, of course, the lead vocalist and a fine guitarist but he is ably backed by the South City Three, consisting of guitar wizard Adam Hoskins, Joey Glynn on upright bass and Ryan Koenig on harmonica, drums and washboard. All of the Three provide backing vocals.

It was a great show and highlights included "In The Graveyard Now", "Ain't The Same ","Drinkin' Whiskey Tonight", "Central Time" and a rousing version of " La La Blues ",which featured great harmonica from Ryan and raucous audience participation on the chorus.

In conclusion, it was a tremendous night of music from two bands who play original material utilising timeless American musical genres.

Great stuff!

Peter Cowley