JOE D'URSO - MICKY KEMP
Musician Pub August 10th 2023
I think we all knew this was going to be. great gig, i'd seen both the artists before and loved them... but this exceeded expectation...
Things got off to a great start with a fine set by Micky Kemp. i had only seen Micky playing with a band and was interested how a solo gig would go... no surprise, it went incredibly well. Micky is a hugely likeable guy who clearly loves playing. He proves to be a fine story teller and has a great line in banter between songs. His songs are also predominantly narrative and delivered with gusto and great joy. The songs are originl and in all cases excellent. It is hard to pick out particular song for comment, but all were quality.
An excellent set
Topping the bill, the mighty JOE D'URSO. Joe is a larger than life character with a glorious strong voice, but can also be lower key and sing with gentility as appropriate in a song, accompanying himself with top class strident guitar work.
Joe appears in his element on stage, smiling, engaging every member of the audience from the start telling some great and fascinating stories and hugely enjoyable banter.
The songs... predominantly original, but being joined on stage by Micky Kemp for a. wonderful rendition of Springsteens "Sandy" (one of my personal favourite Boss songs). Joe's own songs are full of joy, optimism and some philosophy... particularly memorable. I particularly loved the tender "Never missed you more" dedicated to those we have lost...and "Hold on" and "Let it go"... messages we should all be heeding.
Towards the end (Joe delivered i think 7 songs after he finished) and standout among them are the lyrically challenging to deliver "Rock'n'roll call", but the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for when Joe delivered the line "I am a soldier marching with the army" heralding the wonderful song "One Guitar"
Joe never needed to beg the audience to join in.. the audience joined in with gusto in all the right places.... tonight we saw a magnificent song writer & performer ... a master craftsman at the top of his game delivering a fabulous acoustic rock'n'roll show with simply wonderful songs.
Both artists played acoustic, solo with no hiding behind electronic trickery and effects and simply lit the room up... glorious. You will rarely see a gig this good!
keep music live... keep music real... support your local venue
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