Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
As the music died down from what was in effect an outstanding, beautiful and admittedly cool set given The Vinos, somewhere in the back of the minds of those who attended Zanzibar on a day where the temperature seemed most oppressive and the sweat running off every citizen in the city collectively could have matched, if not bettered, the volume of the River Mersey at its highest tide, that this band, which has been together for less than a year, already needs to be thinking of performing in a venue that can really see them kick off and become the stars that their music more than suggests they can be.
The dirty and growling bass lines utilised by the band, the fine guitar work that has the appeal of sunbathing by the world’s most private pool whilst having the person of your choice lovingly keeping your skin hydrated and a drum sound that just shakes its head in wonder at others who can’t keep up with its own groove are all encapsulated by The Vinos and above all in the persona, the guiding light of the band, Grethe Borsum who performs as if Cleopatra herself had suddenly found herself fronting a rock band and using everything she could to ensnare the audience.
Grethe Borsum and The Vinos need no traps, no deceptions or snares in which hold the audience attention. The music, the subtle approach to Nordic story telling is wrapped up in a beat that is so addictive that it needs a Government health warning and which is perfectly rounded off by Grethe’s amazing siren myth like vocals, rather than luring unsuspecting sailors to their doom, Grethe Borsum entices the audience with a promise she can keep that she will just get better and better.
Grethe is certainly one of the great entertainers in her adopted home and like her fellow countrywoman Kaya Herstad Carney, she is a master at story-telling. Looking as relaxed and joyful than she could possibly hope to ever be, the very likeable Norwegian was joined on stage by Ian Riley, Joel Kent and Tim Dale and they tore at the very fabric of what it means to give a storming and scintillating performance for a band not even a year old.
With tracks such as the brilliant Woman, the hit song Apple Picking, the much admired Dirty Kiss and the outstanding and poetic like Me and The Barman in the set, the band could not go wrong at all and yet throughout Ms. Borsum was completely on fire, the incredible suddenly meeting with the admirable. Just fantastic!
Watching The Vinos is like savouring the finest champagne available to you as soon as your taste buds develop some sophistication; it is something that you never want to forget and nobody would ever blame or judge you harshly if in the back of your mind, you are secretly judging others by this principal introduction.
Ian D. Hall