Gomad Festival Diary Part 2

Read Part 1 of Dee Sada's Gomad Festival Diary right here

Photo: Kazunori Nishibiro

DAY 2 - GOMAD TURANGALILA FESTIVAL
FRI AUG 13
THE GEORGE TAVERN, LONDON
ON THE BILL: JAZZ, BLUES, ROCKABILLY AND STREET MUSIC

We have local heroes Dakota Jim and His Family Orchestra up first who are a two piece band composed of Dakota Jim (a travelling New Orleans Blues musician) on Tom Waits-style husky vocals. Jim's accompanied by the accordian courtesy of Fred, formerly of the Smokey Angle Shades and now rumour has it, the new guitarist in Razorlight on double bass duties.

I love watching this band. There is something so timeless about it - music from the souls of the streets - The George feels like a candle lit saloon somewhere between the Mid West of America at the turn of the century and 1920s Paris.

Their music is evocative of Folk tales, sipping whiskey and spinning yarns. Two men showing us part of their souls and hearts in return for strong bourbon and a cigar. You won't find them on Myspace or the internet but can catch them through their word of mouth shows at underground hang-outs like The George Tavern and Cable Street Studios. It is exciting watching such rare treasures perform before the rest of the world gets hold of them...

Headlining we have the unique force that is Marmaduke Dando accompanied by his merry band of musicians. Marmaduke Dando is a singer of morose ballads and frisky drunken jigs. He writes about all the horrors and beauties of the modern world. A true delight to watch and the highlight of his set was a magical cover of David Bowie's 'As The World Falls Down' in other words, that Labyrinth song. You can catch Marmaduke and his band live at the launch of his debut album, 'Heathcliffian Surly', which will be held at Hoxton Hall on September 3rd, 2010.

The rest of the night was spent dancing away to sounds of Nina Simone, Vera Hall, Jackie Wilson and Wanda Jackson. The Blues Tavern for one night only...and hopefully these wonderful archaic characters will emerge again in the candlelight very, very soon....