Gig Review: Pokey LaFarge @la Belle Angele, Edinburgh
23 August 2024
It’s late in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the city is a hype of activity and so is La Belle’s. The room is full and there’s a great vibe amongst the punters of varying ages, from the young to the old. You can see Pokey is bridging the generational gap with his own brand of country, folk, ragtime music. There’s a buzz as we wait in anticipation for his return to Edinburgh to promote his new album “Rhumba Country”.
The band come out wearing matching green shirts: keyboardist, guitarist/trumpeter, drummer and double bassist, who has a striking resemblance to Frank Zappa. And no, it’s not just the ‘tache he’s sporting. They play a warm-up intro tune setting the vibe, and it almost feels like Cash could swagger out any moment. I suspect we are in for a real treat.
Pokey with his slick hair, in vintage attire, steps out on stage, moving to the left and right to acknowledge his audience, then proceeds to turn back and grab a single rose and throws it into the crowd. Pokey is definitely a showman.
They break into the infectious “So long Chicago”, the crowd grow a little more raucous, and we start to hear the tight synergy between Pokey and band – with all four members harmonising on backing vocal.
Leading straight into one of their best tunes, “Fine to me”, the energy from the band is oozing off the stage as the room is jumping and jiving.
Pokey engages with a story about his early days playing in Edinburgh and he asks who remembers the occasion. Many loyal fans shout yes. Next up is “What will the rain bring”.
After a little organ interlude from our friend on the keyboard, the band break into “Get it before it’s gone”. A good guide to tell if a song is good is when the crowd sings louder than the band. Pokey’s voice shines as it projects to the back of the room – I still think he should have a toothpick in his mouth. Straight into “End of the Rope” and a great piano solo.
We are asked if there are any lovers in the room. Who wants to slow dance? Some couples are into it head over heels, others coy and unsure. The older ones don’t even look at each other, but the guy behind me unashamedly proclaims all his love for the band, and I concur. They are solid and haven’t missed a beat, a note, lick or slap! The accomplished guy on guitar and piccolo trumpet is a serious kind of player but damn, he’s mighty good. Pokey will later say he sometimes plays both instruments at the same time.
“Devil ain’t lazy” starts with a 1-2-3-4, the groove and satirically joyous harmonies filling La Belle’s. Pokey encourages his crowd to clap and dance, not that they need convincing.
After a little break Pokey comes back out, slings on his semi acoustic and tells a story from many years ago when he first played during the Fringe (he was low and needed to get away) and proceeds to play a song from that time. A bluesy somewhat upbeat tune. Unfortunately, I can’t recall the name. The crowd want to hear “Something in the water” and Pokey delivers the ragtime jazzy favourite as only Pokey can do.
Time for Pokey to say goodnight and thank his band, who are incidentally an all-new collective for the first time in Edinburgh. The applause for each player is appreciative though it goes up a notch for our Zappa-looking double bassist who shared many vocal duties with Pokey.
The last song finishes, Pokey waves to the crowd in his choreographed persona which he does so well. It’s like you’re watching the first TV broadcast or even better yet, that end-of-the-war celebration footage of folk skipping and hopping in the streets. The band throw roses into the adoring crowd, unfortunately I didn’t get Zappa’s. They line up and take a well-deserved bow, all the while the crowd are clapping and yelling.
Till next time Pokey.
Rhumba Country is out now through New West Records and in all good record stores.