@ The Young Casual’s ‘A Night At The Zanzibar’, Saturday 10th October 09
By Tom Calderbank
The Zanzibar on Seel Street is one of the city’s best venues for live music. When the history of Liverpool’s rich musical scene is finally reckoned, it will surely go down as such with the likes of The Cavern, Eric’s, The Picket et al. We just don’t fully appreciate the fact because its still here. But for sheer value and atmosphere, you’d be hard pressed to find a better showcase of local and national talent than tonight.
The Young Casuals are to be applauded for putting on such a showcase, and on behalf of the punters, I’d like to say: ‘more, please’.
The night ran from 7.30pm, and I didn’t get there till late, so apologies to all the bands I missed. Hope you had a great night, you lovely musical people, but this isn’t your review. This review belongs to the headliners: The Mojave Collective.
Let me lay me cards right on the poker table from the start: I’m a big fan of these. One of the best kept secrets in town, on this showing they won’t be for much longer. They rock every single show they do, and tonight was no exception.
The Mojaves’ blend of country, Scouse-a-billy rock hits you like a combined slug from Messrs Jack Daniels and Samuel Colt. One review of the band said they ‘absorb, roll, smoke and then stomp on the doobie of all that is great in the Anglo-American tradition’. Damn straight!
I last saw these doing their thang at the fantastic DIY event ‘The People’s Festival’ at the APH (Aigburth People’s Hall). Here, as there, they showed that there’s no substitute for quality songwriting, melodies, musicianship and working together to create something more than the sum of its parts: being an actual BAND in other words. I’m reminded of when Muhammed Ali said ‘the fight is won and lost way before I go out and dance beneath these lights’. These guys are tight, and I don’t mean they won’t get the ale in.
Their debut album from last year, ‘Rust and Dust’ was a flawed masterpiece. It announced the arrival of a great band and showed Mark to be a genuine songwriting force to be reckoned with. In Mark and Tom on lead and rhythm guitars and vocals, the Mojaves are blessed with two of the best front men around. Confident and accomplished, they struck up an immediate rapport with the crowd, who appreciated every classic rock shape they could throw. They also loved the banter and performance of James on percussion, whose trips to the gym – judging by his sweaty torso - will surely pay off. Any day now, Jim[.
Highlights for me included ‘Blame it on Lorraine’, ‘The Ballad of ‘Simple Story’, ‘Goodbye’, and new single Won’t Let You Down’ which shone with a fragile, melodic beauty, and has ‘anthem’ written all over it. Overall, they combine a rawness of performance with highly polished tuneage that’s breathtaking. Their choice of covers is top notch, with great tunes by Jocky Wilson and Little Stevie Wonder that filled the dancefloor as they always ought to.
Listen: If they don’t storm the States, I want to know why. Their mixing of American roots music played with a British pop and indie edge is a winning combination. In my mind’s eye, they’re filming their next video in Death Valley in the Mojave Desert in front of thousands of very happy, very thirsty people. You’re darn tootin’! Dang nabbit!
Mark, Tom, Chris, Jay and James (and squeaky Pete, on another night): for making me forget my Monday morning blues, bringing a whiff of the Louisiana bayou to downtown Scouseland, and taking my spirit higher and higher still – I salute you!