Alabama 3

Alabama 3 – Jazzworld Stage, Friday

Despite the now famous biblical downpour of Thursday, and the whole area in front of the Jazzworld stage resembling lakes of brown soup punctuated by occasional areas of sludgy green, there was a definite air of expectation as we waited for previous act, Nigel Kennedy’s ‘Jazz Odyssey’ to finish. With a new album just released, and the Alabama 3 just concluding a major UK tour, many seemed very keen to see just what Brixton’s finest Country acid house music combo were going to deliver.

Luckily we didn’t have too long to wait, as only marginally (and definitely fashionably late) the keyboard intro to the new single, “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” started and Larry Love, replete in Stetson, aviator shades and long black coat stalked on the stage followed by the rest of the band.. Within seconds, the crowd was bouncing, singing along and it was difficult to look in any direction without seeing smiling faces, As Larry stalked about the stage. He was shortly joined by the Reverend D Wayne Love, a sort of deep south Baptist Catweazle, wearing the obligatory aviator shades, and a striped prison outfit.

The rest was a storming, though fairly familiar set from the band, featuring the usual A3 classics – Mao Tse Tung, Ain’t going to Goa, You don’t dance 2 Techno, and Hypo full of love. The only possible surprise was possibly how little material from the new album, Outlaw, was featured. Regardless, A3 delivered a flawless performance of their signature dance/country tunes, along with sober warnings against the evils of drink, lying on 3rd world beaches, and funny little heart shaped pills. At one point there were even dancing girls, as a small army of cancan dancers appeared on stage.

Alabama 3 are scheduled to play a couple more festivals this year, including Wickerman, and T in the Park, so if you haven’t caught their rather unique blend of Country Techno, than I strongly suggest you do so. Just remember little man – don’t you go to Goa.

Latest Updates