Local Music, The Big Stage, Whats On & Events Guide

Mafia Babies Live @ Pierpoint, Torquay

A bright crisp Sunday lunch time beckons and with great anticipation this edition’s local review is of the multi talented, highly acclaimed acoustic duo, The Mafia Babies!

Mafia Babies are Christian Pitocco – Vocals – Rhythm guitar and Jonathan Lee – Lead and Rhythm guitar, Logarythm Stompbox, and Backing Vocals. Over the years these guys have gained the reputation as being one of South Devon’s premier acts. I wasn’t going to look at this review as an opportunity to state the obvious but seeing these guys in a laid back different environment got me curious to see if they could rise to every occasion.

As you can appreciate a Sunday afternoon set list is going to differ greatly from a jumping Saturday night. That is one of the real great advantages of acoustic music, there is a lot of versatility to be had but the right feel and song choices are essential not too dissimilar in painting a picture – light and shade and different moods very rarely work out of their comfort zone. In reality a quiet acoustic gig hunting for the mood is as ever challenging as entertaining a pub packed full of people. Also the softer more attentive songs make a band a lot more exposed and vulnerable, even to the most avid listener.

The first thing that struck me was the sheer level of ability and talent that these guys have.

The set list was very well chosen and well delivered and effortlessly blended into the panoramic views this venue has to offer.

Classics like Rod Stewarts ‘Handbags & Gladrags’ and Newton Faulkners ‘People Should Smile More’ gently filled the room.

They also did fantastic versions of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard it through the Grapevine’ and Al Greens ‘Let’s Stay Together’. The set was very played down, very methodical and very relaxed which just goes to show their versatility.

Capturing the art to create music to complement the moment is an incredibly difficult thing to do yet these guys delivered exactly what was needed effortlessly. The singing and harmonies were soulful yet powerful and the playing was to a level very
few local musicians seldom do achieve. For any local musicians aspiring to get to their level it wouldn’t do any harm in watching how these guys just melt into a collage of meaningful sound. The Mafia Babies are one of the most hard working acoustic duos around in the South Devon area. They have been playing together for the past 5 years and they are available for pub gigs, private parties, weddings and in short whatever occasion you would like!

I would highly recommend these guys if you appreciate a high calibre of music and also equally to any aspiring musicians who want to up their game!