Tonight, we ventured to an early evening gig, Lachy Doley’s album launch for his latest release ‘Live in Paris’, recorded live at New Morning in Paris. The legendary Gershwin room at the Espy Hotel in St. Kilda (Melbourne) was pumped and ready with an estimated crowd of approximately 300 patrons. At 5.45pm Lachy and his backing band, consisting of powerhouse drummer Jackie Barnes and the talented bass playing of Joel Burton, hit the stage with a bang.
Lachy has been dubbed the Jimmy Hendrix of the Hammond organ. He plays a two-tier Hammond topped with a whammy clavinet (electric clavichord). It might have been an early show, but the music made the room feel like a cool, smoky club at midnight. I don’t think I have ever heard an organ played with such passion and funk. Welcome to the church of Lachy Doley, the preacher of funk and his two saints Jackie and Joel. If only church organs were played like this, I would be there every Sunday. I am now converted to organ music.
Lachy’s performance is mesmerising and energetic and I was exhausted just watching him play. He plays like a man possessed with hair whipping and his magic fingers flying over the keys like little people running for their life. His vocals are intense and bluesy. The words and music are a perfect blend, with the music being just as important as the vocals. Lachy has surrounded himself with great backing vocalists in Jackie and Joel. Jackie’s hard hitting drum playing is top notch and Joel plays a groovy funky bass. Together the three are a treat for the senses.
Lachy and the band played a twelve-song set plus encore (I might have the number wrong as I was absorbed by the music and forgot I was doing a review). For song seven of the set, Lachy was joined by special guests Nardia Brancatisano with her powerful, raw and sultry blues voice and Justin Yap on lead guitar with his deep blues and down home funk sound. Justin stayed on stage for two songs.
Later, Kathleen Halloran joined the stage with her swaggering guitar mastery and the music was given another dimension. Add in a brilliant drum solo by Jackie and a full rich bass solo of Joels and the night was music heaven. The crowd often had their eyes closed soaking in the music or head nodding, funky chicken style to the cool grooves. My favourite tunes of the night for me were ‘Frankly My Dear I Don’t Give a Damn’ and the cover of Jimmy Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Child’.
Lachy and crew left the stage to a clapping crowd, stamping their feet demanding an encore. So an encore they received with Lachy, Jackie, Joel and Kathleen returning to perform Steve Winwood’s ‘I’m a Man’. When the house lights came on at 7.35pm the crowd sighed with disappointment that it had all come to an end.
You can now purchase ‘Live in Paris’ on CD or pre-order a Vinyl version HERE. I do recommend you see Lachy and band live to get the full experience. Check out https://lachydoley.com for tour dates in Australia and overseas.
Thank you to Lachy, Jackie and Joel for a great night and for the media access for Kelly and Ozgreeny Photography.
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