One part of inspired political leadership can be to hear someone else’s throwaway idea and make it your own. We think of Lenin’s debt to the anarchists with State and Revolution. When I heard The Very Reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love mention a “Fifth International” at an Alabama 3 show some years ago my pedestrian mind thought it was nothing more than a bit of free association lyric making from a drug-addled, liquored up musician. Someone else in the audience must have heard the same line and found inspiration. Be that as it may let’s get on with the latest in our massively popular review strand.

Few bands are as consistently exhilarating live performers as the Alabama 3. Having lost count of the number of times I’ve seen them every show is better than the one before. This performance had them topping the bill  at a show to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Rock Against Racism and to remind the forgetful not to vote for the BNP. They were preceded by the Levellers. For my money they are proof that an enthusiastic performance and good intentions don’t make for a great band but a lot of people seemed to like them. Next up were Misty In Roots whose strong set would have worked better in a smaller venue.

The Alabama 3’s following may not be massive but it’s loyal and the band makes the audience feel like part of their extended coterie, sometimes giving directions to the after show party. They can be an over friendly bunch too. At one packed show in the Astoria someone kept groping me but let’s not dwell on that.

Tonight’s show was another first class stormer. The band is promoting a greatest hits (sic) album at the moment and tonight was a jaunt through it. Pretty much everything you wanted to hear was in the set with highlights including most of the audience giving idiotic waves to Hello, I’m Johnny Cash and a joyous jam to close the set with Hypo full of love.

Next time the Alabama 3 roll into your town treat yourself to a night out to see one of the best live acts you’ll ever bear witness to.