Kip London — “The Last Dance” — MoMojo Records
I’m late coming to this thoroughly enjoyable album by Kip London, but I can’t ignore it, since he was a product of Western Pennsylvania, as was I. But I can’t ignore it mainly because he created the brilliant music that graces this posthumous release.
Since London was a regional artist, primarily in the Pittsburgh and Boston areas, it’s useful to have a bit of personal history from his website to detail London’s musical journey.
“Kip London chose his craft at the young age of 11, got his first guitar, and never looked back, carving out a career as a talented artist with a phenomenal range and a gift for rhythmic improvisation in addition to his prolific songwriting. His early life in Western Pennsylvania in Braddock, McKeesport and Greensburg was filled with his mother’s love and the sounds of big band and swing orchestras in the background from the restaurant and bars where his Ma worked. He would sit nights listening from their upstairs apartments, babysat by his dog Scout. He was orphaned at the young age of 12, and life remained tough, with music providing purpose and solace. Music was his world, and the blues his vocation.
“He began playing in various Pittsburgh Rock ‘N’ Roll bands throughout the 70’s and 80’s before moving to Boston and immersing himself in its active music scene. Inspired by the folk music of Bob Dylan, Kip created a unique blues style that was eclectic and authentic. From solo artist to frontman to over half a decade as lead vocalist for a 15-piece orchestra in Boston, Kip’s raw and real style was his own in every incarnation. The Boston Globe called his work “straight ahead cool.” In March 1998, one of Kip’s earlier CD’s, Jump City, took its spot among music greats when it was listed along with B.B.King’s, Deuces Wild, and Bob Dylan’s, Time out of Mind as “the top ten most often listened to recordings in Blues Revue’s offices.”
“Returning to the “Burgh” in 2017 with his sweetheart and beloved bull terrier in tow, Kip brought his distinctive renditions and solos back to the rich legacy of his hometown music scene. He was the winner of the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania’s annual Blues Challenge in the Solo/Duo category in 2021 and represented Western PA in the 37th Annual International Blues Challenge, held in May 2022 in Memphis. More than the accolades, though, it was always the music that satisfied his soul.“
“The Last Dance” grew from a series of sessions with veteran Pittsburgh rocker Norman Nardini at his East Side Sound Studio just before London’s death in 2022. Three-time Grammy winner Kirk Yano of Brooklyn, a recording engineer with well over 30 platinum and gold records among his credits, took those sessions and brought London’s final project to life.
Yano brought together a select group of musicians for the album. In addition to his own guitar and bass tracks, the musicians include 2021 Blues Music Award winner Solomon Hicks and Pittsburgh’s Cheryl Rinovato on guitar, Don Krueger and Tommy Rich on drums, Tony Paoletta on steel guitar, and six-time Blues Music Award winner John Németh on harp. The album was officially released at the 2025 Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival in July.
London’s music is filtered through the eclectic influences of artists like Dylan, blues, jump blues and swing bands. He combined that with sharp songwriting, expressive vocals somewhere between Dylan and Tom Waits, and impressive resonator guitar work to create a passionate musical voice.
These mostly original tracks open with the rocking “Hurricane,” driven hard by Németh on harp behind a fierce London vocal. It’s filled with the promise of the great music yet to come. “Drinking Tonight” is a thoughtful, folky tale of the false promises of “drinking tonight.”
“What’s the Matter Now” is a resonator-fueled, easy-swinging rhythmic delight: “One thing I like to know honey, why am I always to blame….” There’s more resonator on the delightfully sassy “Jitterbug Swing” with a sparkling guitar solo. The whimsical storytelling and style of “What Am I Doing Here” reminds me of Dylan’s “Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat,” and that’s a good thing.
“Time Goes On” is a gentle ballad that reflects on the passage of time: “Young and bolder, warm or colder, what’s the difference when you’re older.” “Up Jumps the Devil” and “he’s laughin’ at me” resonates with the authenticity of countless blues themes on yielding to temptation at the hands of the prince of darkness. “Useless” is a gently swinging ode to the futility of love with a delicate harp embroidery. “Roll Me Right” is an energetic bluesy shuffle that hits just like its title.
The closer is a powerfully raw version of the classic “Death Letter Blues” by the legendary Son House. London growls the lyrics behind wicked resonator licks and Németh’s unearthly harp moans. After a dramatic pause, London offers a hoarse whisper: “You can’t take it with you, you gotta face it on your own; I hope I get to see you when I finally get home.” It’s a finale that leaves you waiting for more.
Ron “Moondog” Esser, owner of Moondog’s house of blues music club in Blawnox, Pa, says, “I met Kip nearly four decades ago. I watched and admired his talents as he grew from a good singer/songwriter to one of the best I ever heard. He has written and performed dozens of songs ranging from folk to rock to swing. He is and will always be my best friend. See ya when I get there, Kip.”
“The Last Dance” is a marvelous tribute to an artist whose work should have been more widely known. There’s inspiration not just in his music, but in the life that led him through that music. Give Kip London a serious listen. You’ll be glad you did.
Here’s “Up Jumps the Devil” from the album:
Here’s London’s winning performance at the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania’s annual Blues Challenge in the Solo/Duo category in 2021:
Tracklist:
1. Hurricane
2. Drinking Tonight
3. What’s the Matter Now
4. Jitterbug Swing
5. What Am I Doing Here
6. Time Goes On
7. Up Jumps the Devil
8. Useless
9. Roll Me Right
10. Death Letter Blues
Blues Roadhouse 