Micky Kemp, known to a few people as the Surrey Troubadour,
gave his new CD, "Blind Faith" lift-off, playing songs old and new, but all
his own, in support of Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan (who no doubt deserve
their own review, but for now let's salute the support).
For when the Micky Kemp Band started up, Micky's guitar intermingling with the
expert playing of guest guitarist Greg Lykins of Stone Caravan, and Micky's
"seen-it-all" voice telling his sad story of Blind Faith in just what lets
you down, you knew you had Real Live Music right there. And then, with the tenderness
of oblique love songs, Valentine and Broken Windscreen, you also had a writer
of individual and affecting songs.
The CD from which they come was produced in New Jersey by Bobby Bandiera of the
Asbury Jukes, with the participation of various Jukes, Stone Caravanners, Richard
Lloyd (of Television) and Southside Johnny himself playing (lovely) harmonica
on the two last-named songs. Micky paid appropriate tribute to the spontaneity
of New Jersey music, calling up Joe D'Urso to join him on his longtime standout
tune, Falling Apart At The Seams and seguing into an imitation of Southside on
Hearts of Stone, complete with dark glasses and expansive soul-singer arm-waving.
Micky's music and approach to it clearly shows the influence of the New Jersey
scene, and of hero Springsteen especially; but also takes you back to the days
of so-called "pub rock" when you heard bands producing sweat-stained, enjoyment-filled,
guitar-jangled orginal work on every corner – where now its a rarity. With
Micky's band you get just that mix of country-rock and classic rock'n'roll
with a home-grown, personal take in the songs. Plus a rough, warm voice and a
real entertainer in front, and the overall feel – goodtimey, poignant and, occasionally,
shambolic all in there – Chiv on drums, longstanding anchor Dave Polglaze on
bass and unsung guitar star Greg all contributing. What more do you need in a
club on Sunday night?
The remaining three new songs proved the point, notably rocker Daddy's Penitentiary,
quoting nimbly from I Fought The Law; and then Micky finished with his moving
tribute song, Being Peter Green, where Greg's playing stirringly evoked the
subject. Hopefully we'll get the chance to hear a longer set from Micky Kemp
before too long.
Jean Watts