Appearing for the first time in Spain, a very excited threesome played some great music on Saturday night in the almost surreal surroundings of Bellver Castle, Palma, Mallorca.Another of Tomeu Gomila's excellent Waiting for Waits concerts with a band that you had never heard of before he announced they were coming but one that you will not forget. Having just completed a comprehensive tour of the UK these guys detoured via Mallorca on their way back to the USA - thanks.
Probably one of the first times a country/jazz/swing sound has been heard in the round castle walls and it was well received by a mixed audience; all ages and from Mallorca and other parts of the world judging by the voices around me. The star of the show has to be Elana James and her fantastic and totally competent fiddle playing along with a good Texas singing voice, a voice that would have you crying in your beans whilst on the trail with your 10000 head of steer or maybe make you have a docey-doe with the guy next to you or whatever you do on those long drives across the plains of the Lone Star state to the rail head but you would definitely be smiling and foot tapping.
Not that I should major on her competence alone because the two guys are both outstanding musicians, Whit Smith on guitar and vocals and Jake Erwin on bass and vocals.
The finale of Orange Blossom Special finished of what was a top night, a tune I'd not heard in a long while and it was one of the best renditions I have ever heard.
If you get a chance go see!
