Issue 53 / March 2015

40
Bido Lito! March 2015 Reviews
The Midnight Ramble ( Aaron McManus / ampix.co.uk)
performance somewhat lacks heart. And I
just can’t help but notice how lost he looks
amongst all of the kit in the background.
As the night rolls forward to act two, we
are taken to what feels like the American
Deep South: it’s DAVE O’GRADY time. The
Irishman is joined on stage by a couple
of stellar cohorts, including his resident
harmony wonder, Mersey Wylie, and Kev
Mooney (bassist to Bill Ryder-Jones, among
others).
O’Grady’s deep mixture of funk/blues/
soul is not to everyone’s taste, but it always
conjures up strong imagery of dusty roads
and dark New Orleans passageways. Most
of his songs tonight are from his upcoming
album, Sister, full of organ-esque backing
music and Led Zeppelin guitar noise. Keep
an ear out for Tell Me What I Want if you
enjoy any kind of sonic rendering of Hunter
S. Thompson’s unique style.
As O’Grady and his filthy blues scarper
off the stage, it’s time for the main event,
THE MIDNIGHT RAMBLE, who I haven’t
seen live in over two years. I’m curious
to see how their performance will have
changed. The first thing that strikes me is
their entrance: led on by smoke and music,
they’re all dressed-up smart in black; think
Reservoir Dogs without the Ray-Bans. As
soon as Paul Dunbar (Vocals, Guitar) starts
up, I relax into his husky voice and let the
saxophone solo in Something’s Wrong
carry me into the rest of their Americana
vignette.
They look comfortable in The Unity’s
space, with a performance that is together
and professional. The audience join me
in revelling in several tracks from their
previous album, Sink The Pieces, and their
upcoming album, The Cruel Blue Sky, in
a set that produces such a full sound. An
a capella version of High Time, which
manages to stay on the right side of
barbershop quartet, is another highlight.
South Paw Billy is a guttural gem, and
Darkest Part Of A Moment, a song written
for Paul Dunbar’s grandfather, carries a
heartfelt honesty through its melody.
If there’s a negative thing to say about
The Midnight Ramble tonight, it’s that
the space seems too small for them and
their Jools Holland-style show. Fellow
Jools Holland fans will love The Midnight
Ramble and their mix of rock and boogie
woogie.
Naters P / @natersp
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Rich in beats and with a verbal dexterity
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