KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI – Cobham

It started out as just another studio day for producer and guitarist, Carmelo Luggeri – until pop legend Kiki Dee came in to put down a vocal. He was just blown away by the amazing tone of her unmistakeable voice.

25 years on from that epiphany, the synergy between the two has blossomed, firmly establishing them as one of the UK’s great musical pairings.

2018 saw a year of musical consolidation for the popular duo – Bob Harris wanted them as opening act for the re-booted Whistle Test, and indeed this turned out to be a seminal moment, leading to long overdue recognition and critical acclaim.

As well as K&C compositions and Carmelo’s beautiful acoustic arrangements of obligatory ‘Kiki songs’, sublime numbers by great artists are sprinkled into their concerts to great effect. Harry Manx, Leonard Cohen, Kate Bush & Lowell George are welcome additions to a KC setlist – with even a bit of Depeche Mode & Frank Sinatra thrown in for good measure.

Kiki laughs off this refreshingly cavalier approach: ‘We venture all over the place musically – but I’ve learnt to embrace it – our live shows are very eclectic’.

Equally at home playing intimate London jazz venues or Theatres and Arts Centres in far-flung market towns, the two’s free-wheeling, often humorous vibe has made them a shoe-in for the flourishing Summer festival market.

On stage, Carmelo’s mesmerising playing and arrangements plus loops and Asian Drones fill out the sound to great effect, with Kiki providing moody texture & subtle underscore on keys. Add to that Ms Dee’s unique and distinctive voice (which surely should have a national preservation order on it!) and audiences are guaranteed one wonderful evening’s entertainment.