The Urban Voodoo Machine - Nov 24
The red n black ‘Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop”n’Stroll’ show is back in Reading for the first time in five years. It’s been far too long since we’ve seen Paul-Ronney Angel and his band of musical vagabonds around these parts. Since lockdown ended, I’ve seen a couple of enjoyable Paul-Ronney solo shows up in that there London along with his numerous appearances as part of the Vive Le Rockers band, but tonight is an opportunity to revisit his most colourful musical venture, The Urban Voodoo Machine.

In a welcome return to the Facebar, the night is opened by the irreplaceable Boss Caine. Daniel Lucas aka Boss Caine has been doing this a long time and is a master story teller with his tales of love, loss and the tribulations of life. Old favourites such as ‘Father Time’, ‘Ghosts and Drunks’ and ‘Truckstop Jukebox’ go down a storm whilst relatively new song ‘Doing It All Wrong’ is a cracking tale of Joey Ramone visiting Dan in his dreams. ‘Aces n Eights’ is probably the best tribute to a venue you will hear this year (or any year). It’s a wonderful ode to the decadent little venue opposite Tufnell Park tube station (and I might be one of the people mentioned in it, which made my day). An excellent end to a well-received set. Boss Caine - Nov 24 A New Orleans style funeral procession meandering through the crowd signals the entrance of The Urban Voodoo Machine. The green zombified form of the Late J-Roni-Moe leads a much-truncated version of the band to the stage, having been reduced to a mere six players tonight. He is joined by Gary Voodoo as second drummer, the Reverend Gavin Smith on upright bass, Slim on keys and accordion, new addition Luciano on sax and of course, the enigmatic Paul-Ronney himself. The Urban Voodoo Machine - Nov 24
Initially teasing the audience, Paul-Ronney straps on his gorgeous Gretsch guitar and leads the band into the instrumental ‘Police Paranoia’ which could easily be the title music to some crazed acid drenched sixties spy show. The politically charged ‘Empty Plastic Cup’ from the recent ‘$nake Oi£ $ngine’ album sees Paul-Ronney vocally at his most Tom Waits whilst the band enters full East European polka mode. ‘Living in Fear’ continues the political discourse, referencing recent scandals and even a couplet from the Pistols ‘God Save The Queen’ all to a deceptively upbeat tune.

Next is the raucous old school rock n roll of ‘Cheers for the Tears’ as Paul-Ronney recants the time when some thought he had been found dead in the river. The jazz room swing of ‘Johnny Foreigner’ is followed by the more sombre lament of ‘Goodnight My Dear’. Asking if we want a drinking song, Paul-Ronney takes a swig from his glass and begins ‘Rusty Water and Coffin Nails’ conjuring images of the type of dusty western saloon that Al Swearengen would have felt at home in. The Urban Voodoo Machine - Nov 24 Despite the reduced numbers, the band still produce a cacophony of sounds that flood the venue and beyond. Behind the dual drum kits, Gary and the Late J-Roni-Moe are as entertaining as always majestically swapping places during songs almost upstaging their frontman from time to time. Even the Reverend has a go flipping his upright bass onto its side to play it like a conventional bass. The Urban Voodoo Machine - Nov 24 The brilliant ‘Orphan’s Lament’ could come from the peaks of Nick Cave’s mid 90s back catalogue whilst ‘Emptiness’ conjures a solemn tale of despair. ‘While We Were All Asleep’ is a wonderfully deranged song as Paul-Ronney goes into full demonic mode and the band fully let rip. Going into gospel territory, ‘Help Me Jesus’ certainly won’t be sung in churches up and down the land, but the Facebar crowd are well up for joining in with Paul-Ronney’s call and response. ‘Goodbye to Another Year’ has the band back into polka mode and it’s a fitting end to the main set.

Paul-Ronney returns by himself to perform the gentle ‘Lullaby’ to a hushed audience. It’s a poignant moment that is much appreciated. The full band then return and launch into ‘Down in a Hole’ turning the dirty blues tune into a final glorious ten minute jam. The Urban Voodoo Machine - Nov 24 Sadly, there was no ‘Pipe and Slippers’ tonight but this has still been a highly enjoyable night. Even without the additional players that normally accompany the band, this is still a mighty fine lineup. Paul-Ronney remains the consummate showman with his vaudevillian flair guaranteeing a good night for all. The Facebar has seen a fair share of quality bands this year – The Urban Voodoo Machine are up there with the best of them. The Urban Voodoo Machine - Nov 24