Rockin' Race 2

Take a mix of Barrence Whitfield, probably the most dynamic rock and roller currently around, Los Mambo Jambo, Spain's most exciting instrumental group, and a dozen horn players comprising the band's 'Arkestra' and what do you get? The answer is a blend of excitement and power second to none. Barrence's high energy screams were channelled into a set of pure energy from beginning to end, with the Mambo Jambo Arkestra providing thunderous and very loud accompaniment and visual brilliance. The band's front men on sax, bass and guitar drove the set throughout with no fewer than three trombones, three trumpets and half a dozen more sax men, all of them wearing a fez, causing mayhem and noise behind Barrence's exciting vocals. From the initial scream introducing 'Bloody Mary', through 'Georgia Slop', 'Have A Good Time', 'My Hi-F Baby', 'Big Fat Mama' to 'Stop Twisting My Arm' it was raw power all the way.  For an encore Barrence stripped into a caveman costume for one final number of the same name. A great, if loud, set and one which will live long in the memory.
That was the highlight of day two of the Rockin' Race but there was plenty more to enjoy too. Earlier there was a fascinating interview with Richard Weize, the founder of Bear Family records, who reminisced about his early visits from Germany to London and bemoaned the current state of the record industry. Richard has been responsible for a huge number of box sets over the years but has now bowed out of the company. He seemed disillusioned with the world of recorded music but still owns a massive personal record collection. A man after my own heart. He was joined on stage briefly by Doug Kershaw.
First music of the evening came from Charlie Rich Junior, who paid tribute to his dad's years at Sun and showed that he's a decent piano player with a fair voice. Numbers included 'Mohair Sam', 'Who Will The Next Fool Be', 'Big Hunk Of Love', 'Rebound', 'Lonely Weekends' and 'Break Up'. It was a fine start to the evening.
Next up were the Hi-Jivers from Nashville, a group with a bluesy feel to them and a female singer with a gravelly voice in the mode of Ko Ko Taylor. She made a very good stab at 'Long Tall Sally' and the more country flavoured 'Just One More Time' and the band made a very good impression overall.
Following them were the Dave and Deke Combo featuring Dave Stuckey and Deke Dickerson in their hillbilly mode. There was humour, rockabilly, rock and roll and even hints of The Shadows and Duane Eddy at times, all performed with great skill. Numbers included 'Hillbilly Twist' and the amusing 'Chew Tobacco Rag' which included whistles from Deke. Good fun throughout
Next day we walked down town to watch the Mambo Jambo Arkestra playing for free. This was a purely instrumental set but veered into Big Band territory with some numbers sounding like the Ted Heath band or Elmer Bernstein and others more like movie soundtrack scores. Despite the great skill of the performers, and the dynamic front men, the lack of vocals meant there was rather a lot of sameness about many of the numbers. A good way to wile away an hour however. Back at the Barracuda I took a quick look at a duo called Modern Sound, but they appeared to be doing MOR versions of Beatles songs so I didn't stay long. They were followed on stage by a lady called Lily Locksmith, a feisty R and B singer wearing a leopard print top and a sailor's hat who came across well.
Saturday evening's show started with Sun and Lightning, a competent and fairly pleasant rockabilly outfit. Next up was the ever popular James Intveld, once of the Blasters, whose set included some laid back country vocals, finger snapping, rock and roll, even Happy Birthday to his mum. Numbers included 'Stop The World And Let Me On', 'I Ain't Nothing But a Man In Love', 'Crying Over You' (a duet with Rosie Flores), 'Brown Eyed Handsome Man', 'Playboy' and an extended version of 'Polk Salad Annie'. It was an entertaining if less than overwhelming set.
MFC Chicken came next playing a tribute to Seattle band the Wailers (not the reggae group). Dressed in white suits there was something of  a garage feel to this largely instrumental set, which included 'Tall Cool One', 'Dirty Robber', 'Mau Mau' and vocal versions of 'Louie Louie' and 'Bama Lama Bama Lu'. Anita O'Night contributed one number. Finally, for our group at least, as we were nipping back and forth to a Spanish bar we had found, came the Country Side of Harmonica Sam, a rather plodding Swedish honkytonk band who weren't really to my taste.
Photos and a further report will appear soon.