Rockin'! Gavin Povey and the Fabulous Oke She Moke She Pops live at The Leeson Lounge.

Gavin Povey and the Fabulous Oke She Moke She Pops live at The Leeson Lounge, Fridays, 9pm (throughout May and June)

Now at the Leeson Lounge for a summer residency, on Friday evening the wondefully-monikered Oke She Moke She Pops rattle through a lively set of standards by boogie woogie, jive and r&b greats like Lee Dorsey, Professor Longhair and Smiley Lewis (‘Big Chief’, ‘Iko Iko’, ‘Hook, Line and Sinker’) with an enthusiasm that makes the songs feel as fresh as the day they were recorded.  Ably supported by Shane Atlas on drums and Chris Greene on double-bass, veteran session piano player Povey’s playing is joyfully exuberant and his voice – perhaps the band’s greatest asset - has a smoothness and a clarity that recalls Fats Domino.

 The Leeson Lounge is a cosy venue with an excellent sound system though the floor is a little cluttered with oversized furniture. Most importantly, there is room at the front to dance, which is hard to resist when the music is this good. There is no entrance fee though a hat is passed around during the interval for voluntary contributions.  The audience in Dublin for vintage rhythm and blues is small (though the recent rise in the popularity of swing dancing suggests it is growing) but anyone who wishes to hear a close approximation of the propulsive sounds of old New Orleans should consider checking out the She Pops.