QUINCY, TAMBO & SMALLS | LIVE REVIEW
Nos Da Hostel, Cardiff, Sat 2 May
Saturday nights are good for two things: getting blind drunk so you can make the mistakes you’ll always remember or getting equally drunk to rid your mind of the ones you just want to forget. Whichever kind of night you’re having, there is always a soundtrack for each. Quincy, Tambo and Smalls fall somewhere in between. A three-piece blues roots band based in Cardiff who perform a mixture of original and existing material with such ease and a genuine pleasure just to be there doing what they do that you might want to get up on stage with them yourself, if you weren’t already having such a good time just watching.
A lot of today’s blues music feels manufactured. Many copy and paste what others have already done before them – and better, might I add. No need to worry – that isn’t the case here. By the time you reach the midpoint of opening song Tomi Tokamota, you know you’re hearing something new, but the sound is right at home. The traditional structure of a blues song isn’t blatantly present, but these are modern times and this is a band that rolls with the changes but keep in check what’s at the core of blues music – soul and honesty. It bleeds through their words and music.
Take the track America for example. Lead singer Quincy paints a picture with his detailed lyrics and delivers each word through his raspy, cigarette-smoked and whiskey-soaked vocals like he’s recollecting a vivid memory, which tells you he’s lived these experiences much like Robert Johnson and Son House before him. Backing him up on the pipes but taking the lead on guitar is Tambo who plays so effortlessly it’s a wonder his eyes aren’t closed the entire time. Picking you up with each chord, taking you along for the ride he’s clearly having playing the room and nobody minds going on the trip, from one song to the next.
With all these smooth elements complimenting one another, combined with both of their blissful sounds on harmonica you might think everyone in the room would be tranquilized, knocking back doubles but that isn’t the case at all. All are alert, foot stomping, glasses held tightly – partly, I suspect, because of Smalls. Hitting the drums hard like he’s playing for Eagles Of Death Metal, he commands your attention. Something rarely put into practice for a blues band, but perhaps what’s been missing. If Quincy and Tambo are given us the vehicle for the ride then Smalls is definitely on fuel duties.
Throw all these elements into a blender and you get something indefatigable yet peaceful, smooth yet raw. Just hear their rendition of Neil Young’s Heart Of Gold and you’ll know what I mean. Look away for a minute and you’d think Kurt Cobain, David Lindley and Nick Lucero got together to do something that no one else could achieve with their own versions – and there have been many. Google it.
The band close with a faithful cover of Cold Water that would surely get an approving nod from the man himself, Tom Waits. Everyone here is glad they ended up in this spot, no matter what kind of Saturday night they had planned. There are worse ways to spend it but not many better, so if you ever get the chance to catch these guys put on a show then hold back on the drinks if you can because make no mistake about it – this is a band you do not want to forget.
words and pics DEAN GLYN MORRIS