I have been waiting all my life, and half of that in Budapest, to see a live soul and funk band. While Budapest has an amazingly diverse and vibrant music scene, these two genres have been sadly missing - - until last night. Although The Kéknyul Hammond Band has been around for 6 years, I have never heard of them until I saw by chance on FB that Andrew Hefler, formerly of the Scallabouche Theatre Company, was singing with the band. Andrew is also artistic director of the Grund Theatre Company. The concert took place on the A38 (which for some inconceivable, unfathomable reason was voted by Lonely Planet readers in 2012 to be the best bar in the world) where I also caught good concerts by fellow Batesie Corey Harris, and Austin Lucas with the Poosta Ramblers.

This concert marked the first time in the group's history that they were not an opening band for someone else, and had the stage and the evening all to themselves. The evening was also advertised as the launch party for their second album. I think most people would have bought a copy, but no copies were in evidence. Maybe it is all on-line these days.

I am a sucker for a hammond organ and a good horn section, and the boys did not disappoint. The entire band was superb, with special mention having to go to hammond organ master Mátyás Premecz. Andrew had great stage charisma and presence. Both Kata and I compared him to a young Joe Cocker, but I would add, without the armpit stains. The only criticism I would make is that, considering they have two albums out and certainly much more supporting material, they could have given us more than an hour. Perhaps they believe that they should just leave us hungry for more.

It was a great concert, a great vibe, and as Andrew said in the intro to one of the songs, it was a little bit of "up" to secret away and take out as needed on those difficult days.

Check out their music here
New music video for "Expect Me"

Andrew Hefler - lead vocal
Márk Badics  - percussion
András Jász  - alt sax
János Ávéd  - tenor sax
Attila Bognár  - trombone
Csaba Puskás - trumpet
Zsolt Csókás  - guitar
Mátyás Premecz  - Hammond organ