GUEST SPOT # 14 - She Keeps Bees - 'Gimmie'



This week's Guest Spot is with a difference! A gig review of She Keeps Bees from End Of The Road Festival 2011 in Dorset from Emma who was in the thick of it, wellies and all!

She Keeps Bees - 'Gimmie' (2009)

One of the big highlights at the End of the Road Festival this year was the return of ‘She Keeps Bees’. The Brooklyn based duo Jessica and Andy were accompanied by occasional band member Owen on guitar. Self labelled as blues and New York rock, Jessica’s warm yet hard angst voice didn’t fail to disappoint, complimented by Andy’s rhythmic, heavy drumming. (I once met Jessica after their gig in Camden last year and learnt that her father was a drummer and that she had taught Andy the drums. Is there no end to this woman’s talent?)

For their Friday night set in the intimate Tipi tent She Keeps Bees wooed the crowd. As word spread the tent filled to full capacity. Playing firm favourites from Nests such as 'Release', 'Gimmie' and 'Wear Red', the crowd requested She Keeps Bees played ‘Ribbons’, a trademark track dominated by Jessica’s sassy stage presence and original voice, this lady can command a mob with a single note and yet still kindly offers out Maryland cookies to those lucky few on the front row.

From the new album, Dig On, I was elated to hear the amazing ‘Vulture’ and heart wrenching raw ‘See me’, two of the strongest tracks off the new album, showing a definite and distinctive change in Andy’s drumming, pulling out from under Jessica’s voice. The sound was controlled yet soulful, hard rock seeping through when desired and a deep underlying power ready to release velvet grit and generate those woeful, moody blues that add comfort to the ears. Another dimension was the energy and harmony added by Owen to the band. His strong, softer voice against Jessica’s gruff worked well and his quick music tasting guitar injected a buzz to the sound which diffused into the room.

A truly awesome gig and well worth seeing live!

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