Review:
'ALABAMA 3'
'Newcastle, Northumbria University, 20th May 2005'
- Genre: 'Alt/Country'
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Our Rating:
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ALABAMA 3 are a bizarre band. As their name suggests, the band play country music and like typical country bands, they sing about falling in love with a girl who (for some reason) tragically dies. But then, just to be different, they combine country music with gospel, blues and electronica and end up singing about anti-capitalism, the war, black rights, Jesus and, at one point, Larry Love (the lead singer- a man with a voice like Barry White but deeper) even starts rapping.
The stage was crammed with musicians, at least 8 at any one time all dressed in stereotypical country singer clothing, (think cowboy hats, boots and lots of tassles) except for the keyboard player (The Spirit) who dressed as a preacher and The Rev. D. Wayne Love who dressed like a convict. The set began with their new single- a tribute to the late Johnny Cash called ‘Hello I’m Johnny Cash’ and finished two hours later, much to the disappointment of the crowd.
The music was fantastic- far better than I had ever expected. Imagine a throbbing bass, funky keyboards and some absolutely amazing percussion playing. Combine all of that with the jangle-y guitars of country music, hand clapping and a singer whose voice can only really be compared to the sound that a didgeridoo makes (admittedly with the help of some special effects). The effect on the crowd was electric and the audience- made up mostly of middle aged parents with handlebar moustaches - danced around, arms raised in the air, singing along loudly to songs such as ‘Woke up this Morning’ (the theme tune to "The Sopranos") and ‘Women with Guns’ in the tightly packed, sweaty confines of Northumbria University.
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It should also be pointed out at this point that this band are not from the Southern States of America, as they would like their fans to believe, but in fact hail from Brixton, London, England, and the Southern drawl is all part of the fantastic performance that they put on for their devoted audience. This band are definitely eccentric, but they make up for the fake accents, the unlikely stories about how they met and the wearing of sunglasses in dark venues by giving one of the most memorable (yet strangely odd) live performances I have seen in a long time.
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author: Charlotte Otter
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READERS COMMENTS
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Extremely disappointing due to the appalling sound quality. Vocals impossible to understand, the between song banter was lost on me. I have seen the band once before, they are a great live act and very funny, but you need to be able to hear it. They seemed to play well and did vent a little frustration at one point. The sound is usually fine in this venue, but the guy at the desk didn’t know what he was doing. I left feeling ripped off and the same view was held by the others I went with.
------------- Author: euchrid
25 May 2005
When I saw that the A3 were going to be playing in Newcastle I got my tickets straight away.
I am sure I have overplayed all their stuff.
I rounded up a few friends and off we went.
When they came on they looked great. I was buzzing. Maybe it was the tequila but anyhoo I was pretty excited.
They cranked it up and I was soon dancing away at the front.
But there was something missing. The voice. I could hardly pick it up.
I moved out a little but it didn't matter where I was those ...shortened comments
------------- Author: martysarosi
25 May 2005
I moved out a little but it didn't matter where I was those low sonorous tones weren't coming through. Damn.
Then the Very Reverend D Wayne Love came on.
Again I could hardly make out anything even when it was just him. What the hell was wrong. I kept looking back at the sound engineer. Come on man sort this out.
Frustrated, I went to the back and found some friends. They all agreed there was something up.
One of my friends had been staring daggers at the sound man. Only 3 of the many sliders had b...shortened comments
------------- Author: martysarosi
25 May 2005
The PA was small too.
So I kicked around to the music and just enjoyed them playing.
But I have to say Northumbria University...if the man can't play then the man can't stay. Get someone who can do the bands that come and play some justice. It was crying out for it.
A3 were too good for you guys.
A3 were great, shame the delivery wasn't up to it.
------------- Author: martysarosi
25 May 2005
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