Alabama 3 - Academy, Manchester, 26/4/2008

  by Aaron Brown

published: 20 / 4 / 2008

intro

Aaron Brown watches the Alabama 3 play a set of almost religious intensity with their unique combination of country, southern gospel and acid house at a show at the Manchester Academy

It’s a warm, humid atmosphere in the newly refurbished Manchester Academy for one of the most anticipated gigs of the year. Many of the revellers for tonight’s show are decked out in shades, stetsons and smart suits akin to the sleaze kings. The Alabama 3, seven members in total and not from Alabama but rather via Brixton, seem more like a Deep South religious show with the Right Reverend D Wayne Love here to save us. Taking the stage to a huge appreciative roar, the band immediately kicking into 'Hypo Full Love', which depicts sleazy drug peddling at its best The band's greatest weapon without a doubt is singer Larry Love's unique vocal which makes Mark Lanegan and Tom Waits sound like Bee Gees throwbacks. Of course it wouldn’t be an Alabama 3 gig without playing 'Woke Up This Morning' which goes down a treat. Arguably, however, the treat of the night is the addictive 'U Don’t Danse to Tekno Anymore', which is anthemic, sublime and pure genius. Crossing country, southern gospel with acid house isn’t supposed to work but somehow it just does. It's been a while since I have been to a gig where you know everyone has gone away happy.

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