Gavin' Index

Rumba is the dance of love; the pure intensity, displaying movement with controlled and restrained power from the raw rhythm to the romantic. The enticing hip action of the Rumba is often talked about in a state of mild excitement, but disaster strikes when those trying to emulate it merely end up looking ridiculous. Therefore one should note how a good Rumba action is generated - and it is not with the hips. A good hip action is simply the result of a good foot, ankle, knee and leg action, after which the hips generally take care of themselves.

The intensity of the Rumba is evoked by the eye contact between the man and the woman and enhanced by the stillness of the upper body. This stillness also emphasizes the strong but sensous leg and foot action which is so attractive in the basic movements.

Gavin also admits that post-showband culture (in Ireland) probably affected him as much as Brecht/Weil and the Berlin cabaret did. "It's a subliminal thing, but when I go on tour I call the band 'Gavin Friday and the Bog No-No'!, which doesn't come from Brecht, it comes from Big Tom!" he says laughing. "It's a parody, but as such, I'm openly acknowledging that influence. And Caruso goes back to my childhood, when I heard his songs at home."

"When I read up on Caruso I found he used to sing through these metal megaphones - so I asked a guy from Archaos, that French circus company, if he could make me some and now I've a collection of them - including a vagaphone, which is the shape of a . . . !" [contd]

Joe Jackson