THEY'VE hit their hat trick. The Alabama 3 have played their third successive winter appearance at Fibbers - and have taken the roof off each time.

As with most Alabama 3 gigs, last night's was unique.

But it did stand out above the others for one reason - it was the first time they'd played Fibbers and not blown the PA system.

You'd be doing well to find any band that attracts a more diverse crowd than Alabama 3.

Looking around the packed Fibbers it was almost as though the band had gone into York city centre with a giant net and pulled in people at random.

And that sort of collectivism is what the band are all about, using their amazing blend of gospel-techno-blues-rock to preach messages of peace and unity.

Two new Alabama 3 albums are out now, titled Last Train to Mashville Volumes one and two.

Both are made up of acoustic versions of their classic tunes, volume one released by the band themselves, two by their record label.

Songs from both albums were showcased in a bonus one-hour acoustic set, before the party really began.

Storming versions of top tunes like Mansion On The Hill, Mao Tse Tung Said and Too Sick to Pray had the Stonebow venue jumping, cranked up by the natural showmanship of frontmen Larry Love and the Reverend D Wayne Love.

A bizarre collection of bizarre people, Alabama 3 play and write for society's oppressed while putting on a fantastic show whenever and wherever. Their return to York can't come too soon.

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, December 06, 2003