• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

Riding MTV’s First Wave, The Georgia 5 Picks Up Where ’50 Years of Rock and Roll’ Left Off

June 2, 2023

Gaye Adegbalola Releases ‘Satisfied’ Anthology, Out Today Via VizzTone

June 2, 2023

In Tune With Brian Krumm – The Great Crusader Debuts Solo Album ‘Just Fade Away’

June 1, 2023

Blues Guitarist Laurie Morvan Announces Tour, Shares Accompanying Live Video

June 1, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»Reviews»Holy Moly & The Crackers Set to Release ‘Live in Europe 2020’
Reviews

Holy Moly & The Crackers Set to Release ‘Live in Europe 2020’

David ScottBy David ScottDecember 7, 2020No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

With several million streams from major digital music platforms and a highly engaged, expansive fan base of “Holy rollers,” Holy Moly & The Crackers are hot on the heels of Eric Burdon, The Animals and Lindisfarne in establishing themselves as musical legends in Newcastle upon Tyne. From quirky, gypsy folksy compositions and Balkan traditions to the fire and intensity of soul, blues, indie rock and jazz played with infectious, irresistible punk energy, these brilliant, eclectic musicians were born to entertain with a vengeance.

Fortunately for posterity and not just for Christmas, this incendiary live set was recorded at the beginning of the band’s European tour before coronavirus struck and the concerts were cancelled.

Not so much a band as a true force of nature, charismatic co-founding singer/guitarist Conrad Bird sets the scene with powerful, gritty blues-drenched vocals on the funk-driven, foot stomping “Sugar.” For a new audience this is an unexpected theatrical performance enhanced by a Chenier-vibe accordion background wash. The pace ramps up even further with “All I Got Is You,” once again featuring the squeezebox wizardry of Rosie Bristow and the finger blurring violin fretwork of Ruth Patterson.

Ruth also shows why she has succeeded in simultaneously forging a successful solo career during the past 9 months with her exceptional vocal range, timbre and cadence. The first scintillating axe solo of the evening highlights what is to come from Nick Tyler’s inventive lead guitar interludes.

Given the band’s American roots and blues influences combined with Rosie’s knowledge of rag-time piano, it is not surprising that “Gravel Rag” was conceived and interpreted as an excuse for dirty dancing and hard partying: its mesmeric bad-ass blues hooks and riffs are the perfect platform for Patterson to shred her strings Jimi Hendrix style.

Bristow’s melodious instrumental “River Neva” brings a Russian dimension with its jigs and Cossack dancing rhythms leading to a fast and furious climax. The sheer pace of some of this band’s material is only possible because of the skills and fluency of dynamic drummer Tommy Evans and nimble-fingered bassist Jamie Shields. On “Naked In Budapest,” Conrad highlights the dangers of over imbibing local liquor, the increasingly boisterous fans screaming the anthemic chorus “We’re not going home.” Conrad’s audacious trumpet solo introduces ”A Punk Called Peter,” a phantasmagoria of strings, accordion and vocal effects.

The barnstorming, mega Hollywood hit single “Cold Comfort Lane”’ courtesy of Ocean’s 8 soundtrack raises the temperature even higher, the audience now verging on the hysterical. “Devil And The Danube” from the band’s debut album nearly a decade ago is a nod to the Robert Johnson legend, Conrad and Ruth taking turns to communicate the narrative with style and panache.

The circus inspired “Upside Down” is another high tempo, infectious auditory smorgasbord with all musicians in perfect synchronization amidst the vaudeville ambience. The hard-rocking 2020 single “Road To You” makes its live debut and proves to be a sensational showstopper. Sadly, all parties have to end, this one with a welcome drinking song, “Whiskey Ain’t No Good For Me,” sung in high spirits by special guest Rob Heron (leader of the Tea Pad Orchestra). The whole evening was a gloriously uplifting, celebratory omen for a better future.

Live in Europe 2020 has a release date of December 18th with limited edition vinyl LP available.

Pre-order Live in Europe 2020

Holy Moly & the Crackers Live concert Live in Europe 2020 Ruth Patterson Sessions
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous Article‘BILLIE’ – A New Documentary Film About the Life and Genius of Billie Holiday
Next Article Celebrating 60 Years of Arhoolie Records with Livestream ft. Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Billy Gibbons, etc.
David Scott

Related Posts

The Blue Stones Deliver a High-Octane Performance in Chicago Worthy of Their Blues Rock Forebears

May 31, 2023

Review/Gallery: Jason Ringenberg’s Barnstorming Europe 2023 Tour at 16 Toneladas, Valencia, Spain

May 30, 2023

Croce Plays Croce at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ

May 30, 2023

The National Perform an Unbelievable Four-Night Run in Chicago to Support their Latest Release

May 24, 2023

Comments are closed.

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.