I have been on holiday since finishing up work on Friday evening and Susan's sister was staying with us up until yesterday.  So it has been a bit of a mad weekend and first half of the week. I for the most part let the women go ahead and book what they wanted to see, and tagged along.  This worked really well and I was able to have my input when I wanted to.  It also meant I saw a few shows that I would quite happily have given a miss if I had had the time to look at what they were when asked if I wanted to go.  This turned into a bit of a triumph as I thoroughly enjoyed everything I saw.  Obviously some more than others, but that is the way it is!!

With ticket prices rising though I think gone are the times of running around fitting in 3-4 shows a day. Although it is quite manic just getting along to 2, with places like the spiegelgarden to hang around in between.

I must say they had amazing voices for such a range of women and with a very tight band were superb.  To be honest though their attempts at humour and chit-chat were not up to scratch.  They were touted as being comediennes but there brand of comedy really didn't wash.  They could quite easily of made it a full blown singing show, a proper feast of the standards but instead they chose to utilise their underdeveloped comic talents.  It would have been fabulous in a venue that wasn't rows of seats and was informal.  A good jazz bar or somewhere with table service and the areas for a chat.  Make it less of a cabaret and more of a understated show and it would be one of the best shows to see. 

If you get the chance do go and see them somewhere, they are great singers.

An interesting mix of players, as with many fringe music events they were using session players to cover for those with real jobs!! However the core seemed to be there.  It was an unusual makeup with the down on their luck Russian Mafia Groovy Head Nodders on guitar and base, the "too cool for my jeans and flip-flops" band leader and trumpeter and the jiving Duracell bunny on Speed leading the way with some admittedly fabulous organ riffs.

The honest use of session players meant that, while individually the many of the players were great, together they were a bit slack.  At times they managed to hit it off though and if you are into a real jiving funky tunes they might just do it for you.  Their interpretation of some soul classics was good fun, and they did get the crowd going, with some amazing individual solos.  

One big find was a local saxophonist that apparently came into the mix at the very last moment. He slotted in well and his improvisation and soloing was phenomenal.  As was the Duracell Bunny's sleek hand speed along an organ which at times carried the performance.  Obviously enjoying his work, he jived and boogied to every song, the coolest of Duracell Bunnys!!

The performance was let down by two things.  Firstly the venue was not the greatest.  The converted chapel has a cavernous ceiling and at times it felt like much of the sound was being lost into the room.  This is a band that shouldn't be doing gigs in venues like this.  They are good for a dark enclosed space with a good vibe for those wanting to dance.  

Second was the band leaders penchant for his own voice.  They could of played two more funky hits had he not mumbled and grumbled along between every song!  Most probably because they weren't as slick as they could be and he was covering for it but more funky tunes and less mutterings would go down better.

 All in all a funky band and would be great for a bit of fun.  Too be honest I haven;t decided on whether their album is worth it.  A bit funky for the times you need it, and the soul hits went down really well.  The jury is still out on this lot.  I would probably like to get a shot at the full lineup next time and see how it goes, unless someone was to send a free CD!!

If anyone comes across this and has seen something of interest that they can recommend or even tell me what to avoid, please leave a comment.  If you manage or are part of a particular show, tell me about it, tell me what it is about, how good you all are and where you are at and I might just come along and see your show!

I look forward to your recommendations! 

 Bailey puts on a dramatic twist to the genre of Stand-Up comedy. His act of slick jokes, musical interludes and the use of the big screen was hilarious.  He had a new toy, a keyboard like instrument that distorted the images on the big screen! 

His content sails a little close to the wind and using similar material (with the US the butt of his jokes) to the mainstream can seem a little old news but his new slant more than makes up for it. And don;t forget his musical prowess, a comic musician of the highest order.  If you get the chance to see it, look out in particular for his superb Friends theme renditions and of course his legendary Hokey-Kokey in German!

Certainly one of the highlights of the Edinburgh Festival.