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The Review - MUSIC - grooves with RóISíN GADELRAB
Published: 27 August 2009

Alabama 3 on stage at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Regent’s Park wakes up to sounds of Alabama 3

REVIEW: ALABAMA3
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

ALABAMA 3 are based in Brixton and frontman Larry Love may be from the depths of South Wales, but their sounds sure come from the Mississippi Delta.
They’re torn between the madness of a techno-drug lifestyle and the soul of the Deep South, and their hazy lyrics reflect this.
The backdrop Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Hello Dolly! set was fitting and magical. They played an accomplished unplugged set, referring heavily to techno but only in words, not a single dance beat to be heard, just a guitar, harmonica and some incredible vocals.
The changing line-up sat on rickety white chairs; the only female, singer Devlin Love, could have stepped out from Huckleberry Finn; and Larry was on a high, eternally witty, compelling with his moving, gravelled vocals.
Harmonica player Nick Reynolds, who’s family friends with Ronnie Biggs, took a second to thank Jack Straw for the prisoner’s release, while three young children danced around the stage.
Big Sopranos hit Woke Up This Morning came three songs in but this evening wasn’t about the familiar. It was about the tales, the improvising, experimental collaborations and real music.
An unexpected evening with a lot of joy for a crowd with only three under-25s. A real privilege for anyone lucky to have thought to pass by.

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