Bondi Cigars - After Closing Time (1995)

RHYTHMS – AUSTRALIA ‘S ROOTS MUSIC MONTHLY (Mark D. Blues Editor, Presenter of 4ZZZ’s Nothin’ But The Blues) This album presents one of the country’s hardest working, most widely travelled and most popular electric blues combos, just as most of us remember seeing them last. No studio ‘sweetener’ in the form of horns or fancy production – just the basic quartet in all it’s throbbing funky blues-sodden glory.

Nine Shane Pacey originals, one almost-instrumental by the whole band, one by ‘new boy’ Mitch Grainger (whose guitar and excellent harp are welcome additions) and a brace of covers. Pacey’s Albert Collins – influenced guitar style (sauced with soul and funk) supports an expressive voice which communicates emotion without sacrificing clarity – and his lyrics are worth hearing – not profound, but touching on our collective experiences. Alan Britton (bass) and Declan Kelly (drums) are definite groove-setters. You don’t have a choice. Your body parts have to make rhythmic movements when these two are at work. The soloists work in that groove – no hysterics.

I find that the CD requires a couple of listens before individual tracks make their presence felt. This is not a bad thing. Albums which give a quick fix are often not stayers. My guess is that this one is a grower and a stayer. Nice one.

BLACK’S BEAT, THE DAILY PLAN-IT (Dan Black) Australia ‘s best blues band have returned with a killer new album. After Closing Time is the long awaited follow-up to Bad Weather Blues which put the Cigars firmly on the map a couple of years ago. Forget the big organ sound of last year’s soul-funk effort by the short-lived Pacey & the Cigars. The new outing is what the band does best: stinging guitar & harmonica driven by a punchy rhythm section with Alan Britton surely one of the best bass players anywhere. Songwriter Shane Pacey delivers up nine original numbers mixed with a few covers, the standout being the old Dr John track, Imitation of Love.

New guitarist Mitchell Grainger contributes a fine original number for a first up effort, Cold Cold World. The non-stop touring of blues dens, nite-clubs and booze barns has paid off; the album smokes – just listen to Lead me not into Temptation . Already getting airplay, After Closing Time should sell well for the Cigars, especially in centres where they’ve established big reputations through their constant touring.