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Tea Cup Gin: Underground Love
ByExpanding upon the two guitar and bass framework, they have added a percussionist, and vocalist Christy Benson, takes on the arduous role of covering the violin or clarinet parts, predominantly featured in many classic recordings of the genre. From the opening swinger "Lost With You," Benson displays grasp of the vernacular, knowing how and when to stretch the lyrics for the desired vocal effect of an instrumental nuance. In a gifted exhibition of versatility "Underground Love," and "I Wonder," might well be described as melancholy blues, complete with stinging guitar lines, and "Memory," slides into a nocturnal tango scenario. "Moment," and "Rebecca," are also encased in Latin tempos, allowing the perfect time signature for the guitar accompaniments. Showcasing the guitar duo of John Klonowski, and Mike Reid, who both play lead, the melodic and acoustical interplay within the group is of the highest caliber, and they bring a defined authority of the music at hand.
The band wrote eight of the ten tunes on the record, of the two covers, "Caravan," is given a stimulating syncopated structure, and the perennial "Lush Life," which wraps up the set, again permits vocalist Benson to reveal her obvious affinity for the jazz idiom. Hailing from North Carolina, where they maintain a rigorous performing schedule, Tea Cup Gin has its roots firmly grounded in the gypsy swing tradition, and are basing their reputation and repertoire on that. Not only can they execute the songs successfully, they come across as a band that is having a blast doing it, and it shows in the music.
Track Listing
Lost Without You; Underground Love; Memory; Greyhound; Caravan; Leaving; Moment; I Wonder; Rebecca; Lush Life.
Personnel
Tea Cup Gin
band / ensemble / orchestraChristy Benson: vocals, percussion; John Klonowski: guitar, organ, vocals; Mike Reid: guitar, vocals; Tim “Slimbo” McElroy: percussion; Nigel Clarke: bass.
Album information
Title: Underground Love | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Tea Cup Gin
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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