Gig Review
Groanbox
Saturday, 29 May 2010:
A very interesting and musically fulfilling evening by North American trio 'Groanbox'. Not our usual fare at a Bluesnights, but a rich mixture of blues, roots and American folk. Almost all of the songs played were own compositions and covered a wide musical spectrum.
The band consists of Michael Ward-Bergeman on accordion, flute and vocals; Paul Clifford on all sorts of percussion instruments and chimes and Cory Seznec on guitar, banjo and 4 string gourd-banjo, harp and vocals.
Starting with “It Must Be Time”, with its pleasant lilting rhythm, it set the pace. They followed that with “Fences”, on which Paul shone with his entertaining antics using a ‘Lagerphone’ – i.e. a long pole studded with beer bottle tops and a very old, large industrial boot on the end!
“Sea Bone Howl” had a superb foot stamping rhythm and a lovely Blues entitled “Kathleen” rolled really nicely.
'Groanbox' ended the first set with “Train Take Me Away”, which featured banjo and harp. This was really well done and kicked along beautifully!
... continued
The second set from 'Groanbox' literally carried on where the first left off, with driving rhythms and expressive vocals and backing vocals.
One such example of this was “Mount Misery”, a forceful song that focuses on a supposedly haunted mountain. Next up was the quirkily-scored “Enchanted Mesa”, featuring Cory on guitar, playing tight rhythmic chops, very entertaining. Next up, 'Groanbox' played an instrumental that had rather a hypnotic rhythm to it - almost sounding like a didgeridoo.
Again, very impressive on “Hobo Heaven”. There was subtle guitar picking on this quite gentle blues where the accordion laid down a steady foundation for the quiet but effective percussion. Stepping up the pace for the last few numbers “Last Call” flowed along with driving sound. “Talisman” had Cory picking out an up-tempo line and developing a cracking rhythm. This was very, very good!
A sold out crowd called them back for an encore and 'Groanbox' gracefully obliged by playing the Sticks McGee song “Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee”. This was a good and loud sing-along and great fun!
What a wonderful evening performed by these superbly accomplished musicians! 'Groanbox' are a very pleasant discovery and no doubt we will have them back at Bluesnights in the future. I can't wait!
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
29 May 2010.
