Damn fine evening of damn fine Brooklyn bluegrass

Damn Tall Buildings
at Ace Space
on Saturday, April 5

Review by BRIAN HARRINGTON

Damn Tall Buildings are on their first UK tour. Based in Brooklyn, New York, the trio are rooted in bluegrass (pun intended) but their music benefits from a wide range of influences including Americana, hoedown, rock and world music (Ethiopia).

Their lyrics are intelligent, witty and insightful and they are each fine musicians. They have been together for 12 years and have gone from street busking to touring the world.

Interestingly this was Ace Space's 100th gig since they started regular shows, fittingly it was excellent.

Opening with their own compositions I'll Be Getting By and Cold Rain they rapidly had the near capacity audience clapping and singing along and their banter between songs further drew the crowd in.

I loved No Weed In Paris and The Universe Is Hungry while Legese Abdi recalled their visit to Ethiopia on a scheme which brings American musicians to work with musicians in countries with often less than cordial relations with the US. This cultural exchange works on many levels.

There were four covers spread across the two sets tonight, beautiful renditions of Tennessee Waltz and Blue Bayou (Linda Ronstadt) and a surprise inclusion of Keep Your Hands To Yourself (a Georgia Satellites song). The final cover Can't You Hear Me Calling was a tribute to Bill Monroe, the father of modern bluegrass.

Location is a clever take on 'the grass is always greener' attitude and tonight's set ended with the celebratory Big Ball in Brooklyn and, as a hotly demanded encore River Of Sin.

Damn Tall Buildings are enjoying a hugely successful first tour of Britain, and deservedly so. They bring joy and fun to audiences and spread happiness through their music.

I hope they will return to our shores.

I would certainly be very happy to see them again.