Mim Grey – The Tuesday Night Music Club (18 March)
Review kindly supplied by permission of Nigel Foster .
Images By Ken Jackson
I saw Mim Grey perform as a trio just 10 days ago at ExCellar Wine Merchants and wrote a comprehensive review. I was there to see her again tonight but do not want to run the risk of repeating myself . That said I want to write something because I just have so much respect for the talent these people have and the way they share their music so freely with us.
On this occasion the review will be a little different. What was different and gives me scope is that tonight’s performance was a full band with the addition of lead guitar and bass.
What a band stood on the stage before us. Steven Vintner who is no mere drummer, he is a genuine percussionist who understands creating rhythms.
John Matta is just about the most laid back bass guitarist I have ever seen, he sat at the back all night almost unnoticed but he was sure heard as he pulsed out subtle bass lines that dovetailed perfectly with Steven’s drum patterns. Elliott Rooney shone brightly on piano and organ weaving together a carpet of sounds. Nat Martin on lead guitar just did what Nat always does, which is serving, never dominating the song. His musical contribution was huge though, the tone of both electric and acoustic guitar so beautifully clean.
Then completing the band Mim Grey out front on acoustic guitar and vocals. Mim has music coursing through her veins and it is expressed in her vivid lyrics, free flowing fret work and her evocative voice that has a pleasing huskiness to it.
The two sets featured the majority of tracks from Mim’s 3rd album, Garden Of Me supplemented by a few inspired covers.
Picking out just a few personal highlights then;
The second offering from the band was the buoyant uplifting Americana vibe of Run. The rhythm section locking out the groove, Elliott sweeping across the keys sprinkling the rhythm with note after note, Nat carved out sharp guitar lines and Mim danced on it with a vibrant vocal.
The brilliant Garden Of Me closed the opening set in style with Elliott and Nat weaving together haunting instrumentation that nestled beside Mim’s rich deep vocal.
Now if you want me onside choose a Tom Petty cover and if you choose Free Fallin’ then I am definitely with you and these guys have created it in their own style. With a low slung groove from Steven and John underneath Elliott’s deft piano flurries and Nat’s searching fret work. Rising over it all another commanding and feeling vocal delivery from Mim.
Mim and Nat joined together on acoustic guitars creating intricate finger picked licks and looking at them their hands were in sync. This allowed Mim the space to pour out a deeply soulful vocal.
America’s classic Ventura Highway was glorious in the hands of these artists, featuring some brilliant interplay between the ensemble that added textures to the more spartan original.
Well there are my thoughts and reflections on another superb night courtesy of Richard Dunning.
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