Voodoo Rooms
Edinburgh
19/09/2024
The amazingly talented blues rock sensation, Kara Grainger and her Band, were in Scotland for one night only on their wee UK tour. The Edinburgh Blues Club were hosting Kara in Edinburgh at the atmospheric Voodoo Rooms venue, a classic intimate space for a class act such as Kara Grainger.
The younger Kara kicked off her love for music – in particular, the blues rock, soul blues and roots rock – around the age of 12. Born and raised in Balmain, a suburb of Sydney Australia, there was a large jazz and blues scene that surely had a profound impact on her singing and songwriting career. I am sure her heart at some point would have yearned for the great blues of the deep southern states of America, and now she naturally resides in Nashville Tennessee, which like most adventures was meant to be only a year but home is where the heart is.
Before going solo, Kara was a big part of Papa Lips and Grainge,r extensively touring the Australian east coast, taking in many a music festival during the late 90s. As the early 2000s approached and with reflective time under her belt, Kara took a leap of faith and went solo, thus bringing us to where we are now…
The Voodoo Rooms was full, not just of fans, but of wonderful energy. The blues seem to generate this connective togetherness that was very clear and visible with tonight’s audience. Like a calm sea on a still day, Kara took to the stage with a beaming smile. The blues need no introduction, well for me that is. At every point in one’s life there was always an element of blues music filtering through and Kara was about to show us how its done. Sliding guitar, deep bass and a finger flicking Hammond playing genius, complimented by drum licks like no others, we were all soon catapulted into a swirling cocktail of soulful blues and rock songs.
“Mama Said” with its undeniable deep message was a joy to hear, but as “Texas Blues” filled the room, the vibe went up another 100%. Kara Grainger has a unique ability to capture your feelings and emotions with her beautiful but truthful songwriting and music. Delivered with love, commitment and respect Kara Grainger and her Band leave you with an inner feeling of contentment. This was a true pleasure of an evening to have been witness too, many decades of hard work has created one of Australia’s best blues exports. Best of luck for the rest of the tour.
Raymond Speedie
themumble.uk 