Great Escape

Horseshoe Tavern, $8, Wed. May 14, ‘03
These guys play tight, fast, busy and groovy. With original tunes and an original sound they call “the high lonesome sound of the south, blended with the rugged cold of our northern landscape” seeing this group live was a pleasant surprise. Appearing in support of their first self-titled debut cd (which can be heard on-line at www.greatescape.com) the boys delivered a show that their web sound doesn’t do justice to.
Originally from Hamilton, with great haircuts and groovy cowboy shirts to go with their sweet keys and guitars, they attracted a good crowd of friends (and friends of friends) for their initial showcase gig. Performing in their now native Toronto, the band was “rewarded” by the legendary Horseshoe tavern for their successful draw (in typical music scene fashion) with delay after misinformed delay, in the evening’s mixed up five band line up. However, Great Escape remained a profession model of maturity and when they finally took the stage, they delivered such an exciting brand of high energy, infectious, soul music -- a mix of rock and roll, and funky country -- that new fans couldn’t resist dancing, even on their over tired legs.