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Live reviews
A really soulful rocking gig with Ese And The Vooduu People at Rolling Stock ( a sweet little venue in Shoreditch, East London, in intimate railway arches - mainly a jazz place but tonight they hosted the great Ese. Her song “Alien” qualifies with its jazzy changes and swirling melodies). Ese and the band were COOKIN’, trust me…
Ese writes great songs - check out her first album “Up in Smoke” on the usual channels. Melodic, guitar-driven, rocky soul…I’ve not heard a new band that so grabs my heart and feet like the Vooduu People.
You want fresh, exciting rock that channels Hendrix, Amy and a sideswipe at reggae and Sly/Family Stone - look no further!
ESE herself has a seductive and smoky voice that floats over her expressive guitar work.Vooduu’s ‘backing’ singer is Sheena - tonight she enthralled with her sweet harmonies and a gospel wail that perfectly joined with Ese's
lower register. Both can turn up the power when required. Drums and bass tonight were the powerhouse driving Else’s melodies and wah wah feedback…the drummer was Pharaoh who plays on the album, and man did he DRIVE!
Ese herself is just delightful…she can lay it out, and bring it back…her voice against/with Sheena’s…mmm…her guitar speaks softly then growls. One feels there is more to come on the feedback howls. There were times during the Grenfell-dedicated song ( on her forthcoming second album, which I will snap up like a Louisiana turtle) when her playing approached the feel of Voodoo Chile. Seriously, she can do it. As in DO IT.
Wanna believe? Believe! This band can grip you like an alligator, yet woo you like a soft dove. Play “Keep On” - you’ll fall. Big time.
Go see em. Buy the album if you can't.
Hell, do BOTH. You won't regret it.
bobtailhorse
Vooduu People at The Dublin Castle, Camden.
WHAT a wonderful gig!
You want melodic but hard hitting rock tinged with funk and jazzy changes?
Look no further than this superb outfit!
Such a great melodic sense in her songs which beguile you with her fluid Hendrix-y guitar runs and soulful lyrics…and the Vooduu People can rock n funk with the best of em.
A small crowd admittedly, but Ese and her band turned the intimate venue into a cauldron of lyrical smoke n ashes…
There are hints of guitar greatness to come, Ese could turn up the melodic feedback any time she chooses…with SUCH song writing! As per her album, UP IN SMOKE, the jazziness of ‘Alien’ will get your jaded feet pumping, helped in no small measure by her rhythm outfit and sparkling keyboards…and the shift into reggae stylee between ‘Where Did I Go Wrong?’ and Sly’s ‘Family Affair’ is just…masterful. Brings a huge grin to my creased face whenever I hear it. Seriously, this band ROCKS.
A lovely touch with a fluid, jazzy bass solo, some SUPERB interplay between bass, drums and Ese’s liquid guitar…not to mention the joyous enthusiam of Sheena on backing (complementary) vocals…I and my wife were as happy as pigs in the proverbial. We danced too. A lot.
If you are in or near London, go see em. You will NOT regret the evening.
And their album ‘Up In Smoke’ is all-analogue and sounds MIGHTY!Get it on Bandcamp, LP CD or download.
What ARE you waitin’ for?
WHAT a band! Can’t wait to see Ese again…
Steve
bobtailhorse
I had the pleasure to see Ese and The Vooduu People twice in one day on Saturday 8 June - at the Carnaby St festival and a short time later inside at Open The Gate festival on Bethnal Green Road, a nice intimate venue.
ESE was GREAT, the band rocked and everybody had a great time, including the little kids at Open The Gate - Ese danced with some of them after her gig, which was really sweet to see.
She has a nice rapport with her audience, who clearly love her.
ESE writes wonderful songs and has a lovely smoky tender-but-tough voice: her band lay down a powerful, rhythmic groove that will make you move. If it doesn't, you really need a checkup!
If you like great songwriting and rock with jazzy/funky changes and liquid guitar runs GO SEE EM! One of the best
(and IMHO, THE best) young bands around.
I adore them, think you will too!
Steve
(very happy to be a Vooduu Chile)
bobtailhorse
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