I made sure we were in early as I'd been reliably informed that Dave O'Grady was not to be missed. From the first punchy strum of his guitar I was in. On his first song there was a punch coming out of the speakers that gave you a good slap just in case you weren't listening it sounded like a very loud percussive thud that almost made me fall off my chair first time it hit me. Once I'd gripped my chair so as not to be knocked off next time the sound wave came I found myself tapping my foot and nodding my head(hopefully in time) to a great sound. The rhythm was easy to fall into and just roll around in and his voice has a great tone with just the right amount of grit to rough up the edges and leave a memorable bluesy/americana sound massaging your ears. I really loved his take on the Beastie Boys 'Fight for your right' it took me a few seconds to recognise it but left me grinning when I did. He definitely seems at ease on the stage and really cracked me up when he asked for everyone to join in on a few bars of a Neil Young cover 'I don't mind if you can't sing or you're out of tune just don't make me look a dick'. This was a great start to the night and I am now going to frantically search out anything he or the Dave O'Grady Trio (his band) have got out there and snap it up because I want to hear more and I can't wait to hear the new album they are currently recording.
I'd been trying to find somewhere I could see Sean Taylor live for ages and when all the stars had aligned to make me available on a night he was playing Liverpool there was no doubt I'd be going. The first thing I noticed as he kicked off the first half of his set was how chilled he seems up on stage talking about recording in Memphis like he's recounting a story to old friends and then easing into his music like sliding on a comfy pair of shoes. Being somebody who has to fight with a guitar to make any noise helps me appreciate how wonderful it is to see Sean floating over the fretboard stroking and teasing exquisite sounds from his guitar( I know!! it's starting to sound a bit sexual, put your hands where I can see them and keep reading ;]). His sound drifts into your ears pushing it a little deeper into your subconscious with every echo. One thing I noticed live, which I don't think comes across as much on his recordings, is how cool his voice sounds when he gets his grit on. He can really dirty up a vocal making it more intense which came across brilliantly while I sat there transfixed. He brings plenty of humour filled banter to plug the gaps while he tunes for the next song which peaked while he was plugging his Uncles book which was being sold at the back of the room 'Look somebodies already over there buying it, the power of words' to which the would be customer shouted back 'No I'm nicking it' everyone including Sean fell about laughing.
All in all this was another wonderful night of music in Liverpool I can't recommend seeing both these artists highly enough. Very different styles that made for the perfect night and I'd definitely go back to the Zanzibar club to checkout music a very cool vibe.
Sean Taylor has a great new album out called 'Chase The Night'
which you can find through his website as well as checking live dates and vids
http://www.seantaylorsongs.com/
Dave O'Grady has an EP out called 'Dirty Little Secret' which you can find on Itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/dirty-little-secret-ep/id574111001
and I think this is the right website where hopefully you'll be able to find the new Dave O'Grady Trio album when it's released
http://daveogradymusic.wix.com/davesitenew
