Lex Grey & The Urban Pioneers

The area's self-described "Shady Lady of Blues," Lex Grey and her Urban Pioneers, won over a crowd consisting of everyone from bikers to soccer moms with her theatrical performance at the Great South Bay Music Festival's main stage. This was a fitting reception, since the band began with what Grey calls a “fantastic push” from the Long Island Blues Society.

The band delivered spirited renditions of tracks from their new modestly titled CD, Va Va Voom, and Grey lived up to her persona of “Mae West on a Harley,” occasionally channeling Janis in the process. Songs such as “Tears of Blue” captured that experience, singing about names misspelled on marquees, and drinks that are free like a “fleeting glimpse of fame.” Along the same theme, the hilarious but honest “Dayshift Bartender” told of the struggle of a waitress aspiring to do something creative, but stuck in the dead zone job of the song title.

Raunchily cheerful was the “Va Va Voom” title track to the new CD, the crowd gathered around, took lots of photos, and obviously loved Grey’s theatrics. Grey brings new meaning to the words enthusiasm and burlesque chic, with her torn red stockings, and red, white, and blue feather boas that she worked during her patriotic anthem “Wave The Flag.”

Another highlight cover was a playful response to the crowd, a scorching rendition of “Ball And Chain.” She joked, “I was asked to do a Janis song – I won’t do that, but I will do a Ma Rainey song for you.” She then drove crowds wild, channeling both blues goddesses in her performance.

This band is a regular act at Paula Jean’s Supper Club in Setauket and other regional venues. Follow their future gigs and music at lexgreymusic.com and CDBaby.com.
– Jon Wettingfeld

- Good Times Magazine