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Gran Hotel Bali - Benidorm (Alicante) Spain - 15 & 16 April 2016
Ubangi Stomp Festival is held every year in the city of Benidorm, in Spain, and after 10 editions it has become a kind of a classic regarding Rockabilly and Rock'n'Roll festivals. Let's make a short comment about the bands that played in this 10th edition and the great shows they offered. Well, at least let's do it of those bands I managed to watch.
Friday, 15 April 2016
LESTER PEABODY TRIO:
We arrived to the hotel on Friday afternoon, in the nick of time to leave our luggage in our room and off we went to the show of this Finnish band, with the so great Lester Peabody leading it with his amazing guitar skills. There are less than just a few able to play guitar as he does. They played at the jazzy side of Rock'n'Roll, if you see what I mean, with some Hillbilly and Hawaiian flavour. Difficult to explain and difficult not to be open-mouthed all the show long. For a part of the show they got the support of a sax player. If I have to highlight one of the songs they played, it will be for sure their cover of "Caravan".
PIKE CAVALERO:
Friday evening started with this great Rockabilly singer, who had the support of a very good indeed band (with well known musicians in the Spanish Rockabilly scene such as Pepe Lee on slapbass or Jesús López on drums for instance). Probably close to the best we can see and listen to nowadays regarding 50's style Rockabilly. Among the songs played, I'll highlight "Wannabes" or that wonderful adaptation that is "Carrera del Desengaño". To be the band to open the Friday evening show is not an easy task, but Pike Cavalero and his band did a great job.
THE HILLBILLY ROUND-UP SPECIAL SHOW:
It was a kind of experiment, a sort of "All Star" group with several musicians going up and down the stage to play some good, old Hillbilly music. Little Boy Arnold, Lester Peabody and other people from The Barnshakers, El Lega, Pike Cavalero, Junior Marvel and so on did a good job reminiscing old Hillbilly hits (and obscure songs also) from the likes of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, etc. An experiment, maybe, but it sounded great... Well, of course, have you noticed the names I've listed? With such artists it had to sound good for sure.
CHARLIE THOMPSON:
Third in the Friday evening show was this British Rockabilly artist. It was the very first time I saw him live and I enjoyed his performance a lot. Very good indeed his versions of "Movie Magg" (Carl Perkins), "Katheleen" (Wally Lewis) and "Barking At The Wrong Tree" (Don Woody).
MIKE WAGGONER (WITH LOS VIBRANTS):
An original 50's recording artist such as Mike Waggoner (he recorded for the Vee label) had the task of closing the show on Friday night (well, it was already Saturday, but who cares), with the very good Los Vibrants backing him. To have the chance to se live an artist of the golden era of Rockabilly is something I like more than a lot. And if that artist gives his everything to do a great show and he has still the voice and the strength, it becomes just marvelous... And that's just what happens with Mr. Mike Waggoner. Terrific show that started full throttle with "Good Rockin' Tonight" and that kept the rhythm and the top quality till the end, highlights being "Cryin', Waitin', Hopin'" (Buddy Holly), "Lotta Lovin'" (Gene Vincent), "Ubangi Stomp" (Warren Smith), etc. So good! I mean, really so good!
Saturday, 16 April 2016
LOS VIBRANTS:
Saturday afternoon show was for these guys from Zaragoza, Spain. A top act that left no doubt at all about why they are required once and again for single shows and weekenders. They played Surf, of course, but also Rockabilly and straight Rock'n'Roll, sung and instro, with songs from their own and covers that came not only from the U.S.A. pioneers, but also from Spanish (and some other origins) Rock'n'Roll pioneers. Songs such as "Black Eyes", "Washington Square" (from Spanish band Los Flaps), a beautiful instro "Blue Moon", "Bailando Twist" (from Spanish Dúo Dinámico) or "La Plaga" (from Mexican pioneers Los Teen Tops) sounded terrific. Great musicians and an amusing show, what else can we ask for?. I'm a fan of Los Vibrants, yes sir.
THE KABOOMS:
First group to step on the stage on Saturday evening was The Kabooms, a group I didn't know nothing about even though they have released a CD and they have in their line-up a great guitar player such as El Lega. Suffice to say that after their show they have become one of my favourite Rockabilly bands (and I will write about their record as soon as possible). Amazing show and terrific songs of their own and well chosen covers in a wild 50's Rockabilly style played with rage and guts, as it has to be played. "Pretty Baby" (what a good song!), "One More Time", "Black Days", "I Got News For You", "Rock del Tom Tom" (Johnny Tedesco) and many others sounded astonishing.
DR. SNOUT & HIS HOGS OF RHYTHM:
These Finnish band gave the Rhythm'n'Blues touch to the weekender. A good show with 7 musicians on the stage and well played songs such as the well known "(Every Time I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone" (Roy Montrell). Top level musicians.
RILEY McOWEN & THE SLEAZY RUSTIC BOYS:
More good, old Rockabilly was delivered by these guys arrived all the way from Sweden. Of their show I enjoyed above all the good versions they did of "Please, Give Me Something" (Bill Allen & The Back Beats), "Jitterbop Baby" (Hal Harris), "Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache" (Warren Smith) and "Country Boy" (Big Tiny Kennedy).
Unfortunately we couldn't stay for the MFC Chicken show as we had to wake up too early on Sunday morning to drive back home, but it seems they did a great show as they use to.
To the great job done by the bands, it must be added the effort done by the DJ's, who kept the rhythm between concerts and at the end of them.
Brief, one more year a great weekend with very well selected bands, with an almost perfect blend of Rockabilly, Rock'n'Roll, Surf, Rhythm'n'Blues and Hillbilly... and in a good hotel. What else can you ask for? (yeah, OK, perhaps a little bit of DooWop). The organizers must be very proud of their good job. They have all the right to be so.
Looking forward for the 11th edition of Ubangi Stomp.
