The Lost Fingers - Lost in the 80s

• David Pollock
• 22 August 2012

This article is from 2012.

Skillful gypsy jazz paired up with an inspired choice of cover versions

‘We’re kinda known for taking cheese and making it better,’ declares one of Québécoise gypsy-jazz interpretation trio The Lost Fingers (they’re named after Django Reinhardt’s disappeared digits), although not everyone might go along with their definition of ‘cheese’. For example, they open this early evening set with a version of northern soul classic ‘Tainted Love’, which is enjoyable enough given Alex Morissette’s thick, rubber band basslines and Christian Roberge’s yelped-out lyrics, kind of a more genteel version of Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz. From Soft Cell to Imelda May, though, it’s hardly an off-the-wall cover version choice.

Yet as the selections get more diverse, this bunch of handsome young Canucks in silver shades and sequinned bowties become more entertaining. Paula Abdul’s ‘Straight Up’ works well with Byron Mikaloff’s neat jazz guitar spread across it, and there’s a smooth coffee shop jazz take on AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ and an utterly unexpected intrusion from Samantha Fox’s ‘Touch Me’. Kool & the Gang’s ‘Fresh’ and a take on ‘Billie Jean’ with a great semi-acapella breakdown see outbreaks of dancing around the tent, and by the time they hit Technotronic’s ‘Pump Up the Jam’ they’ve passed the Fringe audition. They’re skilful, they’re different, and we’ll hope to see them back next year.

The Famous Spiegeltent, 0844 693 3008, until Sun 26 Aug, 18.30 (1 hour), £14 (£13).