The Cocabelles live @ the Cavern Club, Liverpool

24th April 2009

Secrets never last. Especially when disguised as three sharply dressed women, with soulful, warm and emotional voices who bring you songs that sound like a swinging summer in the sixties while spreading around the style, fashion and mood of the romantic nights at the dancehall of the innocent fifties - it is pretty hard to keep it a secret. So we just don’t.

Having debuted two months earlier at the same venue, swinging ladies trio The Cocabelles were invited to headline former home of The Beatles, The Cavern Club, once again. So when the threesome, accompanied by a smartly dressed five-piece band, entered the stage of the dark and fully packed venue, they threw in a rhythm and blues experience not heard since the disintegration of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue thirty-four years before.

With an amazing set of original songs – it sounded like the Ronettes forgot to record at least five potential hit singles – and backed up by a phenomenal band, almost every song was a winner this evening. Especially the melodies of songs like ‘Am I Falling’, ‘Eye Spy’ and ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, combined with the inspiring sounds of saxophone, organ and the rhythm section, made the audience feel like they were in another dimension for a moment. Other award-winning moments of the evening were the very well chosen covers of Supremes classic ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ and ‘Tina Turner goes CCR’ classic ‘Proud Mary’.

After they had given everything they had, the Cocabelles tried to call it a day. But after a heart-felt "I love you" from a member of the audience and ditto "whoo-hoos" the band decided to perform ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ once more, resulting in the absolute highlight of the show. The band played as if heaven would come down within minutes and the ladies finally seemed to be a bit more relaxed. The decision of giving away a great but fully choreographed show instead of sharing a bit of their personal excitement was the only thing that possibly could have been changed for the better. Luckily they made it up with their excellent second rendition of ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, leaving the audience behind with unanswered declarations of love and a feeling of happiness and excitement.

Setlist