CC Smugglers, Buffo's Wake, The Broadway Twisters.

Lev 2 Bedford Esquires. Saturday 22nd November 2014.

"Bedford, it's good to see you!" is the opening warm greeting from Richie Prynne, the ever smiling, exuberant sandy haired frontman of CC SMUGGLERS. Although they are now based in London, this is their returning hometown show that shows the six piece collective headline Esquires (deservedly so, some might say) for the very first time. CC Smugglers are a band that, I feel, have been sadly overlooked by this venue. Through their various line up changes they have been a working project for a numbers of years and this is (approx) their fifth visit here. They should have played here many more times. Thankfully The Pad Presents rectified the situation and are handsomely rewarded with a sold out gig.

The Smugglers stride confidently on to the stage. They are here to offer "some bangin' tunes and a party", then Richie adds that "the shoes are coming off". These fellas provide a folky, thought provoking, gutsy roots rock sound. They are a far cry from the current boring mainstream British trends. They cultivate their burgeoning reputation with outstanding song craft and musicianship. They toss out a beguiling but feisty charm, mischievously investigating so many facets of sound play. It goes hand in hand with their eclectic cast of musicians who ply an array of guitars, banjo, slap bass and drums, plus a dash of swet harmonica. They love their bluesy folk and countrified rock 'n' roll.

Their show is nothing short of mesmerising as they feature tracks from their rapidly expanding back catalogue. Recent studio work has been hectic but rewarding. The festivals have been done for another year and they have been championed by Cerys Matthews of BBC 6music and Bob Harris on Radio 2. Recently they were busking outside a TV studio and Sir Terry Wogan showed his approval. Busking has always played a large part in this band's history and they honed their skills by playing outside other people's gigs. The atmosphere in the room is buzzing tonight and you can taste the excitement. Everyone can sense the vibes and Richie enquires "Who's actually ready to dance?". We know that the many "drinking women" are. He is not satisfied and further ups the ante by asking for a "circle of death". No? "Well what about mosh pits?" A compromise of wild, vigorous dancing is agreed. Richie wasn't actually sure if many of those here tonight actually knew what a mosh pit was anyway! CC Smugglers take time out to dedicate a song to "a pal in prison". It could be an A Wing lament perhaps. As the show reaches the end with a collective mosh with the crowd, the lads reappear for a much deserved encore. It is a slower newer one and tells of their "emotional journey in the last couple of years". It has been fun though and they "wouldn't change a thing". Let's hope it isn't too long before these loveable exponents of 'new roots music' are again having a jollly shindig on the Esquires stage. Party on and hoe down!!

With Adrian Stranik strumming his Gretsch and Billy J Mann twanging the double bass it can only mean one thing. It is the return of the 'hattori hanzo grade rockabilly' of THE BROADWAY TWISTERS. With their drummer keeping up a mean beat they are a most welcome late addition to the bill. Adrian adds "that's why we're not on any of the posters". At present they are trying to raise the funds for a new album. The set is fast, snappy and furious. Their song inspirations are quirky, such as one being "about car crashes in Mexico". "Any dope can pull a gun" is a somewhat radio friendly version of an older composition and we are told it is "a work in progress". The taut rockabilly sounds have the raw speed of a classic fifties Cadillac. Influences are wide and varied with familiar songs spliced into the Twisters repertoire. A rollicking cover of "Rock and roll" ends a frenetic and enjoyable set.

Six strong BUFFO'S WAKE are a curious bunch of gypsy punks, a sort of frothy lightweight Gogol Bordello. Based in bohemian Brighton, these festival regulars recently had an ale named after them by a Suffolk brewery. Their songs veer towards the more macabre side, but their frontman dazzles with his clothing. A jaunty hat perches on his head, but it is the shirt that grabs all the attention, brightly coloured and glimmering in the spotlights. He smiles and seems delighted with the crowd's reaction. The more people dance, "the more they like the music". The varied musicians are fun to watch. The violinist dictates a lot of the stage choreography while the double bassist likes to stand on his instrument at times. They mix a traditional old Russian folk song into their own style. I feel that it does get a tad repetitive lyrically at times. There are excessive amounts of "la la la". This probably makes it more familiar and appealing for a lot of the irregular gig goers who are here tonight. They dance happily so all is well. "Tetris" is their final offering. It is done in a folky manner but Eidelweiss beat them to this cover many years ago. Buffo's Wake were certainly enjoyed more by the audience than this reviewer though who, at times, just thought it was a whole lotta circus music!!