So much music in London right now is momentous and Moses at the Playpen on Fri June 2nd 2001 was no exception. This wasn't a quiet night of intellectual ballads, humorous ditties or carefully crafted musical masterpieces that we so often recognise the Playpen by, but an evening of raw big band energy, delivered by two acoustic guitars, a cello, a man on bongo's and a co-vocalist on melodica (yes a melodica), shakers and body moves any dancer would have been proud of. London hasn't seen the likes of this since Bob Dylan arrived in Greenwich Village New York in 1961 only to be told 'You sound like a hillbilly. We want folksingers here (see 'Talkin New York' on the album Bob Dylan, Columbia 1962)'. Moses are from out of town in more ways than one. The central figures in the band are the brothers Paul and David Mosley (hence the name I presume), who hail from Hartlepool in the North East of England (subliminal message: Hartlepool, monkey, beach, google, search), but when they play they sound like they could be from Nashville, or Reno, or Missouri or Minnesota. They harmonise like the Everly Brothers or even The Beach Boys (more like the Everly Brothers) yet have their own melodious style no doubt influenced by where they come from and where they've been buying their records. Their songs are rock 'n roll, maybe country, maybe sixties-like. They sing in tune, they play together, their harmonies are clear and they share the workload. They carry the audience with them by their energetic and obviously experienced showmanship approach.
So where to from here? No idea. They may already have plans and ideas, or they may not. Either way, like so many others, they're making their contribution, and no doubt doing it the way they want to and with smiles on their faces. If the opportunity arises go and see them. They'll crack a few jokes and get a few laughs, and they're sure to have you swaying to their out of town melodies and harmonies wherever you are.
For more information on Moses go to:
Moses
Website under construction - www.mosesband.co.uk
The Playpen is a meeting place for musicians where they can try out new songs and form collaborative partnerships with other musicians. For more information on the Playpen see the links page.
Moses - The Playpen - 02/06/2001 ©2001 Lobby The Lobster & Virtually Acoustic
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