When you go to
see a band called Fingersnap the expectations are high. I mean you can’t call
yourself that unless you truly make music that inspires your listeners to nod
their head, tap their feet and click their fingers to the beat. Thankfully the
venue Fingersnap chose was promising. After all, Sunday nights at The Jazz Café
were made to be spent undertaking finger-snapping action, it’s the nearest we
Londoners can get to the feeling of going to a late-night Southern blues bar,
without the airfare. And tonight’s main attraction? One Mr David McAlmont.
Formerly known under many guises as one half of numerous duos and as an
individual, solo icon, in his own right. His rich, harmonious, hypnotising
vocals, poetic lyrics and flamboyant stage presence have long made him one of
Britain’s finest performance artists, though for some reason, he is one
of the most underrated.
Last year I had
the pleasure of witnessing three extraordinary McAlmont gigs, accompanied by
his musical partner Guy Davies – the two of whom have now formed Fingersnap.
While David opens up his heart and soul as a writer, Guy creates the music that
turns the words in David’s notebooks into masterpieces.
This was their
inaugural London gig; the first live opportunity to showcase the material they
have devoted the last year to writing. There was no gentle introduction; the
band (David and Guy had a backing trio of a guitarist, drummer and double-bass
player), started full swing, straight into Mama Please Don’t Cry, an upbeat, jingly, jangly, catchy, pop
song that had David beaming and yes…snapping his fingers. And it was
infectious.
Dressed in a gold
and magnolia kaftan with a giant Christmas star tied around his neck, David
seemed relaxed, confident and with a fresh zest for life. Yes he’s been away,
but this isn’t any old come back; it’s progress.
The second of
their offerings was the melodic Some Kind of Nice Beast that Guy led into on the piano, while
David clapped to the rhythm. A poignant duet, it made me feel comforted
that next year’s album is going to be simply divine. I could already picture
myself listening to it in certain scenarios. Is it true about Detroit?, (a blues tinged foot tapping,
finger-snapping speciality) is the perfect driving tune, but would sound just
as motivational for completing housework to.
The duo also
played a series of cover versions, some of which celebrated David’s
discography, this time with new arrangements. The vocals in Lose My Faith were shorter, sharper, jazzier and more
understated. Similarly Yes was far less operatic vocally, and far more epic on the piano.
Through
Fingersnap, David celebrates the complexity and flexibility of his voice. We
know he can reach the high notes of Diamonds are Forever and has the charisma to belt out
theatrical showbiz numbers, but this was more about improvisation. His vocals
were playful and exploratory representing ‘him in the present’, rather than a ‘stage character’. That’s not to say he’s lost any of his
charm…he will no doubt always possess stylish diva qualities; it’s just he’s
matured.
David covered Amy
Winehouse’s Tears Dry On Their Own and dedicated it to her; a singer for whom he shared
a great love for, which you can read more about on David’s blog.
Then the band
moved on to their ‘Fingersnap love song’, which I predict will soon be snapped
up by an American movie producer due to it’s soundtracky feeling, which for me,
evoked the image of a dancing ballerina inside a snow globe. The Jazz Café’s
fairylight backdrop added to the magicalness. The set list also contained the
feel-good Kids in the Caribbean, and a multi-genre tune (track 12, I didn’t catch the title!) peppered
with influences of rock and disco.
So this was
Fingersnap at their very beginning. I’m soo looking forward to seeing how they
develop next year. Personally I’d like to hear a few more vocals from Guy as I
thought he had an angelic voice, that blended beautifully with David’s.
Together may they inject a much needed fresh new spirit into Britain’s
currently rather stake, music industry.
Fingersnap’s
Smokehouse EP is out now.
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