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Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Posted in Music, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2010| 2 Comments »

….continued from previous Rebirth Brass Band review

Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

“Dumpstaphunk is the best funk band from New Orleans right now.”

~New York Times~

The Show Karma continued as 3/4 of the venue stepped outside during intermission for their various smokey treats.  When we went back in, it was clear that 1/2 the venue had left for good. Giving us PLENTY of room to dance, but seriously confusing me. Prior to the show that night, while standing in the Will Call line, I overheard a clearly misguided music lover state: “I don’t even know what this Dumpsta stuff is!”  Yall think I held my tongue? Those who know me well know I did not. He was schooled real quick…

Nick Daniels III & Tony Hall @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Nick Daniels III & Tony Hall @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

What was wrong with these people?  I mean come on!!  It was a sold out show, so they spent $35.00 and left after the first band?  Granted, Rebirth Brass Band was an amazing show by itself but…HELLO!! Add in Dumpstaphunk and you got gold baby!!  What was going on?  Those of us smart enough to stick around claimed our rightful place back up front!

Dumpstaphunk was founded by members of the legendary Neville family, Ivan and Ian. Seriously, if you ever see a band containing a member or special guest with the last name Neville, you know it’s worth seeing! Go see it!  Completing this amazing group is Tony Hall, Raymond Weber and Nick Daniels III.  A stage dripping in pure talent. Perhaps if you didn’t understand before, now you may understand my jaw dropping astonishment that people left the venue.

The line up on stage went:

Ivan Neville – Keys
Tony Hall – Bass & vocals
Nick Daniels III – Bass
Raymond Weber – Drums
Ian Neville – Guitar

Ian Neville & Raymond Weber @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Ian Neville & Raymond Weber @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

First of all, I don’t think I can ever meet Ian Neville without drooling all over him. HOT DAMN! He is 2 years younger then me and he is dangerously good looking. That smile is infectious and made me all tingly inside 🙂 On the other hand, Tony Hall, probably 20 years my senior, was dripping with stage presence and sexual energy. He just entered my Sean Connery category. Those older men who you just can’t say “NO” to if ever they were to approach you.  Flirting with those of us in the front row, with our cameras, with our videos, Tony is a giver and receiver of energy and we fed off each other all night.

Set List:

  • Ian Neville, Ivan Neville & Tony Hall @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

    Ian Neville, Ivan Neville & Tony Hall @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

    Shake it Off

  • Neutra Rat
  • No More Okey Doke
  • Lt. Dan
  • Just the Two of Us
  • Everybody Wants Somebody
  • Meanwhile…
  • Jam
  • She’s Music
  • Deeper
  • Put It In The Dumpsta
  • Gasman
  • Nick Daniels Bass Solo
  • Standing in Yo Stuff  (Girls on stage)
  • Unknown Song with Nikki Glaspie on Drums & Maurice Brown on trumpet

Shake It Off started us off with a bass heavy beginning bringing forth some uplifting lyrics where each member sang a portion of the song telling us to shake off all our worries in various ways. “Don’t waste your time and energy. What will be will be.”  So we did what they said. We shook them out right then and there all over the dance floor.  Ps…love the bass in this song. 🙂

Tony Hall @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Tony Hall @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

So, in parts of America there are these semi aquatic rat/beaver hybrid looking things that apparently sparks creativity in Dumpstaphunk because their next song was Nuetra-Rat. It’s here I begin to notice Tony Hall’s energy play with the crowd. I just LOVED him. Many times, some of the greatest parts of a live show experience isn’t the music at all. I heard every note he played but I focused more on him. That smile, that flirty energy! Tony Hall is super fun and proves that live music is so worth paying to see and going up front to watch.

No More Okey Doke, a Meter’s cover, raged next!  This song gets everyone moving. It’s one of the songs that mostly everyone knows as it is covered so often.  It’s a crowd pleasure for sure. Half way into the song, Tony Hall gave us a funky charged bass rage! (I was lucky enough to capture a little bit on video & 35 seconds in he notices!)

Nick Daniels III @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Nick Daniels III @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Lt. Dan, a Dumpstaphunk staple, brought us into Everybody Needs Somebody.  Ivan mentioned the Super Bowl win, stating that “we still aren’t over it.” And the Who Dat chants being.  However, a certain member of the audience didn’t feel the chant needed to end when Ivan did.  Rolling up to the front in a Saints tee shirt, a big drunk tank of a man screamed The “Who Dat” chant probably 8-10 times until his voice died forcing him to stop. That man LOVED his Saints and Ivan’s smile was appreciative. The venue laughed as one and Ivan took  back control of the performance.

Into the funky bass heavy jam, Meanwhile.., Ivan’s signature deep, growly voice delivers us another song asserting that it’s best to just relax and let loose. “Meanwhile…Go and have yourself a good time. Go shake your pretty booty baby! Because there might not be a next time….” The vocals on this song are repetitive but allow for a lot of solos and rages! I missed the horns from the studio album but it still rocked as Ivan was off the keys and onto his guitar slamming out a jam that wouldn’t quit for a good 5 minutes. Enjoy Raymon Webber’s full drum solo!

Ivan Neville & Nick Daniels III @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Ivan Neville & Nick Daniels III @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Now, in the funk world there are romantic songs also: deep, heavy and full of love!  She’s Music! is one of those songs! Without ever hearing the song, lyrics or anything, I can imagine such beautiful things with a title like that.  I imagine a sick love song about a old lover or possibly a new infatuation.  Coming from a musician and having them tell you you are music? I would melt. It might just be my favorite song title right now! “She’s funky like the Family Stone, smooth like Marvin Gay,” sings Nick Daniels III as Ian Neville grabs a funky guitar solo. The whole time, I am drippin’ in sweat as the venue is so hot and I am just laughing at the people who left this amazing performance. DAMN! Dumpstaphunk delivers.

Tony Hall is total hotness.  Always going to be here to see us through, his love for his audience goes…Deeper! Ok, yes that was cheesy but I know I am right! Tony got the vocal party started as Ivan threw his voice into the mix with the smooth backup of the other members. Ian’s guitar strumming in the lighter tunes and Ivan slams down onto his keys given us a solo! This song was a little too slow for the moment…we slowed down the energy a little bit with this one. However, it was perfect for the build up into the next song….they knew what they were doing!

Ivan Neville @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Ivan Neville @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Put It In The Dumpsta, a personal favorite, a majorly funk heavy tune introduced with Ivan talkin’, “We need to get rid of the bullshit that we walk around carrying on a day to day basis“ And he is right.  It’s apparent these guys have a theme through their lyrics. Basically they are saying RAGE FULLY and dump the CRAP out your life! I can handle that vibe! I can totally hook into that method of living! I do it everyday!  So, they got a nice jam going during this song. Great excitement! Basically just hollering Put It in a Dumpsta and the crowd joins in.  What you gonna do???

Eric Krano w/ Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Eric Krano w/ Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Ivan’s nose gets all scrunched up and he says, “Smells like somebody farted.”  Of course, I giggle and write it in my notes.  My buddy leans over and says, “That’s a segway into the next song, silly.”  Gasman was next on the lineup and quickly became my favorite song and it’s very clear in 5…4….3….2….Eric Krasno stepped out on to stage with his guitar! Oh yes sir! He didn’t even have to play for it to be my favorite. Just stand there and look awesome. Eric ripped through his solo, bringing his signature sound and crying guitar to the fold that evening.  Special guests are always a welcomed part of any show! It’s when the history gets made! When the magic moments happen!

Tiny Rager dancing with Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Tiny Rager dancing with Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

As Nick Daniels III gave us a tasty bass solo, you hear Tony say: Ok, Security. Now don’t get excited but we need to add a few more people to this stage!”  A tradition when the song is played, during “Standing in Yo Stuff,” girls are asked to join the stage and shake their groove thang. After the play between Tony and I the whole night he pointed at me to join the stage. I shook my head.  There was no way, NO WAY, I was going on that stage.  After a few measures of the song, he practically demanded it by leaning over and stinking his yummy strummin’ finger in my face haha.  SCREW IT! They had just sung an entire night of uplifting songs telling us to relax and life life to the fullest!!!!

Tiny Rager dancing with Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Tiny Rager dancing with Dumpstaphunk @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

I made my way over to the side stage and Security wouldn’t let me in.  Pointing to Tony, the security guy follows my finger to see the funky bassist on stage hollering at him over the mic. Classic! An image I will never forget. But Securities hands were tied.  Show Karma strikes again as at that moment three girls walked off the stage.  And there  I was standing on a stage for the first time in my life shaking like a leaf, looking Ivan Neville in the eye and trying not to throw up!

Ian Neville, Nikie Glaspie, Maurice Brown @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Ian Neville, Nikie Glaspie, Maurice Brown @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

All I can remember while I was up there was that I was supposed to be dancing so DON’T STOP MOVING!  Hahah! I caught myself standing still, jaw open as a horn finally made its way on stage.  I was missing the horns the whole set! I was very surprised that members of Rebirth Brass Band hadn’t flooded the stage much earlier.  That would have been AWESOME!  I kept getting lost in Maurice’s sound, his hair and his blazer.  Handsome + Horn = Awesome!

And I got to be honest with you, I have NO CLUE about the last song. I was so hyped up on energy and excitement from doing what I had just done that it took me quite some time to even realize another song was even playing let alone that Nikki Glaspie was now on drums while Raymond stood behind her singing and Maurice Brown was on trumpet.

I left the venue that night energized beyond belief.  The Members of the NYC Funk Live group had raged so hard that night. So proud! Some of us got up on stage! Some of us got their wish for more space when the venue cleared out at intermission…ALL of us were up front raging!   And we couldn’t have chosen a better show to see.  In hindsight, I have little pangs of regret for having missed the South Memphis String Band with Luther Dickinson show but in all honesty, nothing tops funk (except fusion) and nothing could top this night!

NYC Funk Live Meetup Group = Full Rage!

NYC Funk Live Meetup Group = Full Rage!

All I can say is this: NEVER EVER MISS A CHANCE TO SEE DUMPTAPHUNK!!!


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Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Posted in Music, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 5, 2010| 1 Comment »

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Show Karma.  That is what it is was all about.  Show Karma. And by god, we got it!!!

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

With $30 left in my music budget until midnight, I spent all day Thursday in an intense internal struggle over seeing Rebirth Brass Band & Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk for $35 or seeing South Memphis String Band for $15.  Seriously, it is a beautiful thing not having credit cards but sometimes you’re forced on a budget and have to make choices.  I know it would have made for a very mellow evening seeing SMSB vs. the boys from NOLA, but I do love Luther Dickinson, so the struggle ensued.  However, after being called out by one of my favorite drummers on Facebook: “dump or a string band..um, hello?” I figured the funky drummer had a point.

Vincent Broussard @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Vincent Broussard @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

As I arrived at Highline Ballroom a little before 9pm thinking we were missing the beginning of the show, I see members of the NYC Funk Live group scattered around outside! “Are they playing yet?”  “No!”  Show Karma 🙂  If that wasn’t good enough, while waiting in line for will call with $30 in my pocket for a $35 show, the gentlemen standing behind me says that he has two tickets for the $30 price. Cash exchange, transaction complete….SHOW KARMAAAA!!!!!!  Let the show begin!

Formed in New Orleans in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, The Rebirth Brass Band (RBB) has been a staple on the NY scene for years. More of “an institution,” one friend said, as they had been playing here for over 13 years.  Waiting for my beverage, RBB came out singing Ronnie Laws’ “Always There,” as they set themselves up on stage!

 

Chadrick Honroe @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Chadrick Honroe @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

The stage went as follows:

Phil Frazier – Tuba
Keith Frazier – Bass Drum
Derek Shezbie – Trumpet
Glen Andrews – Trumpet
Stafford Agee – Trombone
Derrick Tabb – Snare Drum
Vincent Broussard – Saxophone
Chadrick Honroe – Trumpet

As they played Duke Ellington’s “Caravan,” a jazz standard, I made my way through the crowd to my favorite spot up front and took a moment to look around and admire the view.  Everyone was smiling, everyone was dancing.  New Orleans is an infectious feeling, not just a location on a map. When I got to my magic spot, the rest of the NYC Funk Live crew was already gathered there waiting! “OMG, how did you find us?” shouts Meredith.  Show Karma 🙂 Hugs and kisses abound, new friends were introduced and the dance party for me finally commenced. (Did you know Rap musicians Redman and Busta Rhymes sampled “Carvan” song heavily in their 1998 song “Da Goodness?” Now you know!)
Derrick Shezbie @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Derrick Shezbie @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Trumpeter, Derrick Shezbie, is a fun one to watch.  Or should I say interesting?  Or possibly, scary?  I am terrified his cheeks are going to pop.  As he plays, his cheeks puff up to the size of a grapefruit and he holds down his right cheek with his free hand.  Apparently, he is afraid it’s going to pop as well.

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

Birthday girl w/ The Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.10.10)

At this point, Stafford Agee says “Happy Birthday” to someone on the right of the stage. Little did he know he was really talking to me, as this was the beginning of a weekend long celebration of me turning 30 years old!!! As my friends grinned at the irony and hugged away, a group of 4 lovely woman came up on stage and danced as RBB played “Happy Birthday.”

Derrick Tabb @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Derrick Tabb @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

The Rebirth Brass Band is as well known for keeping with the ways of a traditional brass band as they are for absorbing modern music into their performances.  As they rear into a heavy funky cover of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop,” a dancing neighbor leans over and says, “I bet you never have a  problem getting up front do you?” HAHA! The Saxophone solo commences!  Filling it with their signature brand of heavy funk, RBB also covered Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.” Listening to these song without lyrics being played by horns and drums was awesome.

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Rebirth Brass Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Now it was time for a little Drum Line rage.  Both drummers, standing on the back line.  I LOVED drum lines performances/competitions in high school.  My favorite person on stage, the person who my eyes and ears always went back to was Derrick Tabb on the snare drum and cymbals.  A massively tall guy, compared to this tiny rager.  Standing, with the snare strapped over his shoulder, he  beat the hell out of the drum like it was nobody’s business.  His face would scrunch up and your insides felt like they should explode when he released his energy on that drum. He slammed away on the cymbals and just enticed me!

Corey Henry @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Stafford Agee @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

It was time to “Shake Your Booty,” a track off on their “Here To Stay” album, which brought everyone to their feet. I look to my right and Ivan Neville is admiring the band as we all are. It’s fun to remember that musicians are fans just as much as we are! “Shake your booty, Shake your booty…” The ladies from the dance party before return to the stage to shake theirs.

At this point, we had pretty much sucked in those around us into our dance party and had made some new friends. Stevie Wonder’s “Just the Two of Us” begins to unfold.  It was perfect timing as Meredith was beginning to hand out her NYC Funk Live cards to our new front row friends! Now, this whole time, the venue feels like it is getting hotter and hotter. Over the course of the night, Stafford Agee had unbuttoned a button here and there until the entire shirt was practically ripped open at one point.  It was hot! Or they were on fire…you decide 🙂 Towards the end of “Just the Two of Us,” Stafford turned to his left and it completely looked like he was meditating, haha, and he stays like that for a good minute.  Stafford, what was that?

Glen Andrews @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Glen Andrews @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

This is the time in the night I remember being VERY HAPPY!!!  I start getting text messages from my friends scattered around the venue: Kraz just walked in with his guitar.  Oh, it’s ON!!!! Eric Krasno of Soulive has entered the building!! It would have been pretty rad to hear his guitar amongst the drums and horns on stage that night, but alas…there were other plans in the works which you will have to read in the next post!!

Phil Frazier @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

Phil Frazier @ Highline Ballroom (04.01.10)

“All the fine women put your hands up!!!” screams Stafford! “Casanova,” a sexy, seductive song, came blasting out of the horns and pounding out of the drums. I do not think I shall repeat the lyrics! You can look those up yourself!  HAHA! Vincent Broussard gave us a solid solo and each horn followed in turn.  When Broussard needs to sing, the poor dear has to bend over 2 feet to reach his microphone which is a little lower then most because of his saxophone placement.  I can only imagine what his back must feel like after each show! Heating pad please…..

Rebirth Brass Band caped off their night with “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love.”  YES!!!  A song made for horns to play! A song that forces you to lift your feet and clap your hands. I need YOU…YOU…YOU!!!!  It was originally popularized by Solomon Burke but it became a favorite of mine when The Blue Brother’s covered it!!  There is a great live version of it on The Rolling Stones’ “Live Licks” album.

I NEED YOU..YOU…YOU……but what I really needed was Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk…and that was coming up after break……STAY TUNED!


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Will Bernard Trio w/ Todd Sickafoose and Ches Smith @ The Stone (03.30.10)

Posted in Music, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2010| Leave a Comment »

One of the most beautiful things about New York City it’s ability to provide us with beautiful music, of an genre, at any given time of the day or night. On this nasty rainy Tuesday night nothing could have kept me from a lovely intimate jazzy evening with Will Bernard, Todd Sickafoose and Ches Smith at The Stone.

The Stone door

The Stone door

I had never been to The Stone before and my girlfriend and I had a hell of a time finding it as we walked by it’s door 4 times before realizing that was the venue. No sign, both walls flanking the door looked like those metal security walls that the store fronts draw down when they close up for the night.  We thought it was a closed store and kept walkin’ on by. The whole time I am geekin’ out hoping it wasn’t one of those places that won’t let you in once the gig has started.  Finally, we figured it out.  The only hint was a little sticker on the obscure front door that read “The Stone.”

As I entered The Stone, I was immediately taken aback. No windows, no bar, no merch counter…barely any light, was there even a bathroom?  About 10 rows of chairs, maybe 50 in all, lined the floor in front of the playing area. I loved it. Musical intimacy at its best. Especially because only 20 of the seats were filled!!!!

The three wonderful musicians, Will Bernard on Guitar, Ches Smith on Drums and Todd Sickafoose on Bass, come up the stairs a little after 10pm and the first thing Will says: “Everyone’s gone to the bathroom, right?”  Good stuff.  Clearly, there would be no set break.

California invaded NYC that night at The Stone.  All three musicians are transplants from various parts of California. Personally, I was born in Sacramento, California and wish I could remember more about the beautiful state. Good to know if I was still living out there, I would be surrounded by amazing musicians!!  Well, with the exception of these three!!!

Directions to My House CD Cover

Directions to My House CD Cover

Many of the songs played last night were off an album that Ches and Will collaborated on a few years back called Directions to My House!

So, they go right into Agro Business. I notice that all the musicians were reading sheet music. With this style of  experimental jazz, it blows my mind how their actions can be translated into notes on a page.  I would LOVE to see what the drummers sheets look like. I kept going back to the drum composition. Couldn’t pull my eyes away from Ches’s playing.  Will begins to manipulate his trippy guitar sounds with the machines at his feet.  But we couldn’t hear the bass.

Turning to my pal,”Do you hear the bass?” “Not at all,” she says.

As I turn around to face the players, Todd bends down to turn up his amp. Now we are back business!

Wide Awake was next with it’s soft, slow start.  The drum brushes came out.  And soon the trippy picks of the guitar made way for the heavy parts that followed. As Wills face scrunched into his guitar rift, Ches proceeded to strike every surface of his drum kit.  Again, how does that translate into sheet music? Silence.  And then it’s Todd’s turn to bring it back up.  Todd’s fingers are moving a mile a minute and Will’s guitar softens as the song comes to a close.

Ches Smith @ Terminal 5 (03.28.09)

Ches Smith @ Terminal 5 (03.28.09)

It’s about this time that something in my memory triggers in relations to Ches Smith.  He looks sooooo familiar.  Turning to my friend, “I feel like I saw him with Les Claypool or something….” Today, while researching Todd, it all came together when I realized he was in the Secret Machines 3 and I had seen them open for Les Claypool at Terminal 5 last year.  I love when that kinda stuff hits home. And after last night, I will never forget his face, or hands, again.

I adore when the boundaries of time are broken in music; the spaces that can be manipulated with notes. The thing that separates each artist is when and where they place those notes.  Crab Apple Red is one of those songs that I love for it’s count/time/beat, pick your poison.   Todd started off with the deep bass and the rest flow in.  Will shined shortly after as he picked away at his guitar. After hearing the studio albums for a while, watching him play these songs live makes it so much more outstanding! It humbles you because they may make it look easy, but IT IS NOT!! As Will and Todd make eye contact with a smile, they put the song to sleep.

WE GOT A NEW SONG TONIGHT!!!!  In my notes I spelled it Mootwos, HAHA, but it is spelled Motooz.  Will bends over to prepare his machines to produce just the right sound they have felt this song was born to release.  I remember thinking…”foreboding”… when the song started. Low, mysterious…..Ches gave us a nice drum solo, Will manipulated sounds with his machines, turned over his guitar on his lap and then the SLIDE came out! Always a welcome sound.

“Are you having fun? I am having fun! It’s been a while since I got to play this stuff,” says Will.

Parental Guidance fullfill’s it’s name.  If there was a silent movie and the parents were yelling at the child, this would be the soundtrack.  It’s as if at first they are stomping their feet/bass strings and shaking their fist/drum sticks.  And then they calm down and talk rationally….relax. Ches’s cymbal manipulation was fun. My friend would later say, “I have never seen someone do that before!” Personally, I was wondering how using your fingers on the drums translates on to sheet music.  But, there is a story behind this song, I can feel it.

With Hall of Science, the brushes come back out on the drums, Will destroys his guitar into a manipulation of sound that would confuse most people. He slaps the guitar, smacks it. This is a whole different kind of rage. This is not music for the faint of mind, forget heart. It makes you focus. It makes you think.  There are parts that make it feel like a little getup and go jam and then there is chaos among the instruments.Will starts shaking the curtains, Ches scratches the floor with his feet, Todd rips the music in half……”HEY! That’s my music!” Will proclaims.  Laughter abounds.  “Guess we can’t play the head out.” But they do and I loved it!

Up until this point, I had wanted to remain seated. This isn’t the type of music you dance too, or rather,  I dance to. To each their own! But whenever I hear Not Necessarily Stoned, I immediately want to put on a  saucy red dress and move. And move slow. Each artist’s talent shined on this song. Will on guitar, Todd on bass and Ches on drums. It was a perfect song to end the evening.

After thanking Will, my fellow blogger friend and I leave the venue chatting away about the interesting performance we were just privileged to see. It’s always fun introducing friends into new musical environments. Another Happy Tuesday for this Tiny Rager 🙂 Thanks you guys!

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Perpetual Groove @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

Posted in Music, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , on March 30, 2010| 3 Comments »

Perpetual Groove @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

Perpetual Groove @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

Perpetual Groove and Turbine played at the Bowery Ballroom on March 26, 2010.  Turbine was slated to play the Sullivan Hall after party with DJ Nutritious but got tapped to open for the band at Bowery. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the show in time to see the opening band but our coats were checked and we were in the venue minutes before Perpetual Groove went on.

Brock Butler @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

Brock Butler @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

Brock Butler, lead guitar and vocals, has been a favorite of mine for a few years but nothing hit home the way it did when I was privileged enough to enjoy a very intimate show on the Pool Deck of Jam Cruise 8 at 6am as we pulled into the Cayman Islands.  He was accompanied by a passenger, Elli Labar, on violin.  I can’t describe this moment on the ship, as it was beyond emotional and beyond words at that point in time.  But I can show it to you. Enjoy!!


Perhaps I should talk about the show???  Oh, ok, FINE!!!  First, let me just state how much I like the band’s name. Perpetual Groove. How fun is that?!   Apparently there are some haters when it comes to the name of the band but personally it just MAKES me want to dance! It says flat out: we are hear to rage your face!!

John Hruby @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

John Hruby @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

PGroove came out raging as they always do beginning with No Decorations, off their latest CD Heal. It only took to the end of this song for me to have to leave the front of the stage due to all the tweaking under age kids that I wanted to kick in the teeth. Don’t get me started…..

As much as I love Brock, the keyboardist, John Hruby,  had my attention most of the night.  I am unsure how to describe the way he plays.  It is not so much how he plays the instruments but how he moves and smiles and interacts with the crowd AS he plays the instruments.  For me, my major point in seeing a live show is being able to actually SEE the artists that I love play their respective instruments.  That is huge for me. I like to  feel their pain when they sing, watch their fingers when they strum their guitar, watch their feet as they tap to the beat.  John was engaging, loud and vibrant in his actions.  He gets lost in his playing the same way we close our eyes when a song over takes us. I don’t even think he could help it. And if he can, he sure fooled me.

Set I: No Decorations> The March of Gibbles Army> Speed Queen, A Day the Way, At the Screen, The Golden Path

PGroove is as well known for their ability to cover songs as they are for their own material. With a musical encyclopedia for a brain, Brock Butler can pretty much play anything you ask him to on the spot from rap to rock to reggae. When PGroove headed into Aha’s Take on Me, I immediately turned to my girlfriend and started jumping up and down as John started in on the lyrics.  I pictured the video and imagined the entire venue was in black and white and we were all running like mad men down the cartoon hallways.  Yall remember that video?  At that moment, EVERYONE, regardless if they knew any other song that night, knew that song and we all sang along.  Take on Me elevated the energy in the Bowery to its highest point of the night!!! (Enjoy 90% of the song in the following video hahaha!!!)

While playing Mr. Transistor, we got our second cover as they broke into R.L. Burnside’s It’s Bad You Know and returned to finish off Mr. Transistor.

Set II: Mr. Transistor> It’s Bad You Know> Mr Transistor, Cairo, Take on Me, Robot Waltz, Up Again

After PGroove walked off the stage, we all knew not to move and eventually they slowly joined the stage again for the encore. We were handed an intense version of Life, from the album the album All This Everything, which flowed into Stealy Man.  Walking out of the venue after the show, I said goodnight to fellow jam cruisers, friends and the like. I took one more glance toward the stage and Frobee Brobee stared at me from the bass amp.  The smile on his face mirrored my own. It was a good show!  Thank you PGroove!  Hope to see you all again soon!

Download: Perpetual Groove Live at Bowery Ballroom, NY (03.26.10)

Frobee Brobee raging on the Bass Amp (03.26.10)

Frobee Brobee raging on the Bass Amp (03.26.10) Talk about a Tiny Rager!!

Perpetual Groove @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

Perpetual Groove @ Bowery Ballroom (03.26.10)

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Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Posted in Music, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2010| 3 Comments »

Last Thursday, March 25, 2010, there were a few great musical options to choose from and I was having an internal struggle. MoonAlice and Some Cat From Japan were playing at The Brooklyn Bowl for $5, while Tower of Power was playing at B.B. Kings for $30.

Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

If I had planned better, I could have attended the 7:30pm show of Tower of Power and ran to The Brooklyn Bowl to catch Some Cat From Japan at 10:30pm. While on the phone with a friend debating on my plan of action, I was feed a little anecdote.  He explained how when it comes to these seasoned bands, it’s best to attend the later show so that they can use the earlier show as a warm-up.  When it was all put into perspective, I knew what decision I would make!  TOWER OF POWER, and for many reasons…

1. I had never seen them before!!

2. I was on the guest list so $30 back in my pocket

3. I wanted to stay closer to home and this was in Manhattan vs. Brooklyn

4. I had never seen them before!!

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Times Square Mural by Sofia Maldonado

Times Square Mural by Sofia Maldonado

Being that this was an event scheduled on the NYC Funk Live’s Meetup group site, I knew I would be with some music heads to enjoy the show with.  I arrived first and joined the LOOOONG line outside which stretched all the way to the end of the block.

Sometime between February’s Fat Tuesday Show with George Porter Jr. and tonight’s Tower of Power show, a thought-provoking mural had been erected along 92 feet of Times Square Mural by Sofia Maldonado the sidewalk down West 42nd Street commanding the attention of all who walked by with its loud and vibrant portrayal of “Strong Women.”

The mural was envisioned and designed by Sofia Maldonado, a Puerto Rican/Cuban artist.  She was commissioned by the Times Square Alliance to create a work of art and that she did. Go check it out:

While studying the mural and getting completely lost in its intricacies and the statement that is was screaming at me, members of NYC Funk Live group started arriving and our section of the line began to bubble out as our group grew while waiting.

After 25 minutes of waiting in 3 stages of the line, we were finally in.   There were tables lining every inch of available dance space. By the time were we ushered in, there were only a few available tables left, all with horrible sight lines of the stage. Not that it mattered as none of us wanted to eat, nor did we want to have to pay a minimum of $20 a person for drinks. And , of course, we certainly didn’t want to SIT at a funk concert…PERIOD!!!

Tower of Power took the stage within minutes and we were immediately confronted with more confusion. Obviously we had to stand but where?  Where could we put our jackets/scarves/bags since there is no coat check?   Where do we dance if there is no dance floor?  B.B. Kings strikes again…but let’s get to the good stuff!!!!!

Tower of Power is a horn-heavy jazzy, funky explosion of sound.  One of the first funk/pop groups to incorporate multiple ethnicities, Tower of Power blasted out of the 60’s and remains a founder of funk today, empowering and inspiring younger musicians. Below is the only video I took of the night! Too busy dancing…

The wonderful group of musicians that blessed the stage that night as Tower of Power were:

  • Larry Braggs – Lead Vocalist
  • David Garibaldi – Drums
  • Tom E. Politzer – Lead Tenor sax
  • Emilio Castillo – Tenor Sax
  • Roger Smith – Keyboards
  • Adolfo Acosta – Trumpet
  • Stephen “Doc” Kupka – Baritone Sax
  • Jerry Cortex – Guitar, back up vocals
  • Mic Gillette – Trumpet, Trombone, Flugelhorn
  • Francis Rocco Prestia – Bass
Al Chez w/ TOP (03.25.10)

Al Chez w/ TOP (03.25.10)

Special Guests that night included Al Chesnovitz, or Al Chez, former TOP member and Letterman Show band member, and Lenny Pickett, Former TOP Lead Tenor and Musical Director for Saturday Night Live.

Set List:  What is Hip?, This Time It’s Real, You Got To Funkifize, You Ought to be Having Fun, So Very Hard to Go, There’s Only So Much Oil in the Ground, Get Yo’ Feet Back on the Ground, Hip Street, and Give Me the Proof, and Walking up Hip Street!  ~~~~ (I am sure there are a few I didn’t catch but they only played from 10pm-1130 so there wasn’t room for many songs.)

Larry Braggs of TOP (03.25.10)

Larry Braggs of TOP (03.25.10)

Lead singer, Larry Braggs, is utterly amazing. AMAZING!!!!  I can absolutely see why all the women were swooning while he sang the slower ballads and why they drooled when he blasted out louder, funkier songs like This Time It’s Real.  During Startime, the James Brown tribute melody from the “Great American Soulbook,” I literally had tingles down my spine when he sang.

I have only recently been focusing on the singing/vocals when I attend shows. Normally, I take apart the entire song and pick and choose which instruments to focus on at any given time and then phase them all back together in my head to hear the song.   The vocals fall by the way side because they are just poetry to me and I can just read them later.  But with Larry, I was always drawn away from the instruments and back to the vocals. It wasn’t the lyrics, it was just his voice.  This has only really ever happened with a few male singers as I am drawn to female voices. Very strange.

Doc & @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Doc & Emilio Castillo @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

It was during the more well-known songs, What is Hip and This Time It’s Real, that the folks sitting at the tables were able to find their dancing legs and rise.  However, it only took a few notes out of the horn section during the first song to get those of us with the NYC Funk Live group dancing.  Meredith N., our group’s founder, found us a tiny sliver of dancing space to the left of the stage in front of an abandoned reserved table.  It was a horrible space to view the band but we HAD to boogie…so, priorities!!  And move we did….it became infectious.  Meredith proceeded to dance up and down the aisles of BORING seated patrons which got a few laughs and eventually a large group of people were on their feet or silly business men were trying to dance with us haha.

Roger Smith @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Roger Smith @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

I LOVE the Baritone Sax, so naturally, Stephen “Doc” Kupka was a favorite. That instrument pinged thorough my head with every note. Apparently, it was Doc’s birthday that night as well.   Happy Birthday Doc!

I have to say, though, that the keys player, Roger Smith, killed it during his solos.  During Hip Street, the horn section left the stage leaving Roger to solo on the B-3 and David Garibaldi to back him on drums.  I knew I wanted a picture of Roger and I was immediately pulled in his direction when the solo began.  Unfortunately, I was focusing too much on his solo to take a decent shot.   Eventually, the horns joined back in, the song was complete and I could care less about the picture as Tower of Power had just laid one on us with that song and was about to hand us another rager with Give Me the Proof.

Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Bass player, Jerry Cortez, joined the group last year but only started touring with them in January so this was a treat.  His background vocals blended well with Larry’s but I was more interested in hearing him play that bass.

The band went on at 10pm, finished their set at 11:21 and came out for one more song. We were out of there by 11:50pm after we helped Meredith N. hand out her NYC Funk Live notices.  Walking to the subway with my funky friends, we all agreed that despite the lack of dance floor, we were all very pleased with the high octane funk that we were just delivered.

Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

Tower of Power @ B.B. Kings (03.25.10)

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