I know, I know, the concept is well
worn: taking classics from the rock and pop canon and shooting them out via some peculiarly shaped instrumentation. It worked for Hayseed Dixie and their bluegrass-heavy metal but this is an altogether more sophisticated proposition. These debonair monsters of twang raise more than just a smile with their trilling takes on Chic, Miss Dynamite and Otis Redding. A sweet and novel twist on a very British sound.
P/easance. 566 ($5550. untr/ 29 Aug. if] 74‘ 12 (£79.50—f.‘ 70.50).
ESKA MTUNGWAZI
Guesting vocalist steps out
Follov-nng collaborations and tow duties With an almighty roll call of contemporary greats ranging from Ty. Nitin Sawhney and Lev/is Taylor to
Goi‘rilaz. IG Culture and Courtney Pine.
rising star of the underground Eska Mtungnva/i .s now settling down to her own thing vrith her own hand-picked band.
Edinburgh xvill bean opportunity to express myself again and smile at different faces.‘ the Zimbabweaii—born Londoner says of this distraction from her album focus. ‘l'm a little unsure of what the response WI“ be and I like that. it can make fora really exciting gig — and hopefully a good performance.‘
Not surprising for a singer-songwriter.
musician and producer With such an
eclectic pedigree. Eska finds it hard to pin down an adequate picture for her first Festival appearance. settling warily on 'a kind of funkufolk-soul 2.iiiiz.i|gamatioii'. But here lies the common ground with her weekend line-up cohorts at the Underbelly. Showcasing the next generation of the buoyant British scene. Traficante
TAM WHITE'S BLUE EYED BLUES
A chance to catch Scotland's premier blues artist in action.
White performs songs by Joplin, Dylan, Cohen, John lee Hooker and his own acclaimed material. As well as having the most distinctive blues voice around, Tam has a great rapport with his audience that contributes to a memorable and
uplifting evening. Be there!
Why Not Nightclub, the Dome, 14 George Street
Wed 10 to Sun 14 inclusive and Wed 17 to Sat 20 inclusive at 7.30pm £9.00(£7.00)
Book at Fringe on 0131 226 0000 or just turn up on the night. Fridays and Saturdays are often busy but standing/dancing room at the bar too. We haven't turned anyone away yet!
Records has assembled a cast of live bands. DJs and VJs (think Jade Fox. Bansuril that are on the verge of releasing monster albums and look set to be the high-profile Corn Exchangers in festivals to come. See this as your invitation to get in on the ground floor. llvlark Edmundsonl
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*REASONS TO GO SEE
PRESTON REED 1 He plays great guitar The best reason to catch Preston's gig is that he is an amazing guitar player. Don't be deterred if you don't like jazz. which is the categow he usually gets filed under. because his self-composed music really defies categorisation. Jazz. blues. folk and rock are all in there.
2 He has the coolest technique Guitar technique. that is. Preston is a dazzling exponent of ‘hammering on'. a percussive method that looks as impressive as it sounds. YOu can get a flav0ur from CDs. but there is no substitute for seeing him do it live.
3 He’s very tall Preston cuts a dramatic figure on stage, with his long wavy locks and impressively upwardly inclined stature. Not a guy you will quickly forget once you have seen him.
4 He lives in Girvan Nothing too remarkable in that. yOu might think. but how many virtuoso American guitarists can lay claim to a home doon-the-water in Ayrshire? (He settled there when he met the woman he loves.) OK. Martin Taylor is another one. but he's English and a bit further inland.
5 He plays a really neat guitar Unless he has made a sneaky recent change. he‘ll be working his finger magic on a classy Ovation with a shiny blue body that puts yOur standard wood finish guitars to shame. A peacock amongst the hens. you might even say. and it 30unds great into the bargain. (Kenny Mathieson)
I Queen's Hall. 668 2079.
74 Aug. 7.30pm, £74 (£72).
from
A m is?“
Ninth
1 f 1.“. Aug 2005) THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 59