It takes more than a free cake to get a good review from the Bluesbunny. Actually it takes two cakes! A jest, of course, as integrity is the very cornerstone of our existence. Oh yes, it is! Oh No it's not. Oops, the pantomime season has overcome me. Occupying the festive stage tonight were Hercules Mandarin and Alan McKim.
Alan McKim fired things up with a lively and intense set. So intense was his set that you feared for his guitar. Pounded mercilessly, this poor instrument became a weapon in what was more of a musical catharsis than a mere performance. Despite the rough edges, there was little doubt that he could hold an audience's attention.
Hercules Mandarin is a band of many sizes and tonight they numbered five. Starting off with songs from their forthcoming - to be launched at King Tuts on 29 January 2009 - album like "Always Never" and continuing with a fine selection of songs from their current album, they made the stage disappear as their trademark warmth and good humour swept through the room. Lead singer Chris even managed to dedicate a song to the Christmas turkey. There weren't any turkeys in the audience tonight but I'm sure that they would have appreciated the fact that someone was thinking of them at this time of the year. A quality live act with a commercial sound. No doubt about it.
With my spirits raised once more, the question of what would best follow cake became paramount. Ah, chicken pakora would do the business! Oh no, it won't! Oh yes it will…