Night 4 Recap with Karl Denson, Jennifer Hartswick and The London Souls :: Marco Benevento and Jennifer Hartswick Tonight!
The fourth night of Bowlive took place at the Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg last night to a sold-out crowd of dedicated Soulive fans. Drummer Alan Evans, guitarist Eric Krasno, and organist Neal Evans took it easy as guitarist Tash Neal, bassist Stu Mahan, and drummer Chris St. Hilaire opened the evening with a hard-rocking 30-min set. This was Stu’s second live performance with the London Souls and he couldn’t be a better fit. Tash is an aggressive guitarist and Chris’s powerhouse drumming makes you want to full on head bang. Perhaps you have heard their song “Steady As You Ready” off of Mob Wives, which they killed last night! Eric Krasno could be seen in the audience bopping his head to one of his favorite bands in our scene. The London Souls return to Bowlive on Saturday, March 10th.
When the endless lines outside the Brooklyn Bowl had finally been let in, Soulive took to the stage and played “El Ron” with such a fierce level of energy, shouting out musically that the weekend had begun! In that first song, Krasno was at the edge of the stage on his tiptops shredding his guitar into the faces of those in the front row. Keeping up the energy, “Dig” followed with teases of Snoop Dog and Lettuce mixed in.
The first tribute of the run was to the great Melvin Sparks. Soulive’s highly anticipated latest release, Spark, had only just shown up in Vinyl form that morning to the Brooklyn Bowl. Melvin Sparks was an American guitarist who passed last year. His soul jazz, hard bop and jazz blues influence can been seen in every one of today’s talented guitarists. Spark is a collaboration between the members of Soulive and Karl Denson. That pretty much is all that really needs to be said to convince you to check it out.
Flutist and saxophone player Karl Denson was special guest for his second night. He joined the stage for the song “Spark,” which had audience members fully engrossed. Karl added a gorgeous level with his flute while drummer Alan Evans, once the drummer for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and the rest of the stage passionately layered their sound atop one another. A lovingly delivered tribute to the end.
Trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick, the second special guest billed last night and the first female presence to grace the stage for the run, joined for another song of Spark titled “Povo,” another head banging rock song that at times turned psychedelic is an instrumental by Freddie Hubbard. Krasno and Hartswick bantered playfully with their instruments and Karl now back on his saxophone. When Jennifer took her solo, she slammed the audience so hard with her talent that afterwards, the place erupted! Female Power!! A beautifully executed “Nubian Woman” was the choice off their latest cd with a more psychedelic jazz flavor. The members on stage were feeling the Melvin Sparks vibe flowing through them freely.
When Jennifer Hartswick moved from horn row to the front stage, those in the audience who realized the treat they were in store for began screaming. Saxophonist James Casey (The Shady Horns) also joined the stage. The musicians teased Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady” as Jennifer hummed the tune to warm her voice and to tease us with her sultry sound before delivering the goods. Her voice shook the rafters on the high notes and as the cool James Casey rocked the audience a killer solo, the shades on his head fell over his eyes in true rockstar fashion.
“Bowlive Staple,” as Krasno called him, Nigel Hall joined the stage now as the entire vibe was slowed down for a song that would, regardless of it’s slower speed, would trigger fond memories and raise the energy of the minds in the audiences. Tears for Fears cover “Everyone Wants to Rule the World” is a song that Soulive has perfected with their own style. Something every artist hopes to accomplish, especially when it’s a cover. Nigel Hall on vocals was heart melting as always while Alan and Krasno filled in the backup vocals. Towards the end of the tune, Nigel flowed seamlessly into “The Light” by Bobby Caldwell. An absolutely gorgeous, mellow, yet powerful mash-up to end the set.
Soulive opened up the second set with the fuly raging “One in Seven.” Neal Evans, who has been on fire this entire run, continued his trend while brother Alan was then left on stage for a calculated isolated drum solo. After witnessing his drum solos each night, it is fun to enjoy the different tricks Alan pulls out of his bag to ensure that we get a taste of his various abilities. And then it was back to close out One in Seven.
Tash Neal (The London Souls) was the next guest invited out on stage to perform the famous Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song “Ohio!” Unbelievable guitar rage between he and Krasno. The Evans brothers were crushing it as Karl Denson couldn’t miss this wonderful performance and ran out on stage grabbing a tambourine. Tash and Karl left as the trio, now alone on stage, executed a gorgeous rendition of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Lenny,” a beautiful love song Vaughan wrote for his wife and performed beautifully and emotionally by Krasno.
Karl Denson joined for the raging “Turn It Out,” where he delivered a beautiful flute solo. They continued on into “For Granted,” where he was joined by James Casey, Jennifer Hartswick, and Nigel Hall on keys with Neal. The playful song gave each artist a dedicated two minute solo to showcase their instruments. Starting with Krasno establishing the musical chorus, Karl followed, then Hartswick, and James Casey, who crushed it so hard Karl Denson began fanning Casey’s fire off with a towel giving him the props he rightfully deserved. Nigel Hall solo followed with Neal filling in the blanks. Each solo established that these musicians had chops. That they were the best in their game and at that time, they were making sure we recognized that fact.
Neal Evans, now alone again on his rig, started off “Jesus Children” with a heavy, deep organ rage, before Hall started singing. It was here the set ended. The flavorful Wyllys, a DJ and Jennifer Hartswick’s husband, would be following the show so the high-energy of live music had to end. However, Wyllys has an extensive vinyl collection of some of the hottest tunes and with the help of Quincy Jones and other amazing samples, he got everyone back on the dance floor and fully engaged.
A killer beginning to what is going to be a jam-packed weekend of Delicious Soulive rage, the party continues tonight with Jennifer Hartswick and her band coming out for her second night with new special guest unique jazz improvisational keyboardist Marco Benevento. Seriously? The excitement of seeing Marco and Neal together is going to be worth the measly $15 it will l take to experience the musical magic!
($15-$20) John Kadlecik Band (from Furthur, DSO) @ Sullivan Hall
($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
($35) Rebirth Brass Band: Pre-Mardi Gras Celebration with 2012 Grammy Nominees @ Hiro Ballroom
($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
Sunday, February 12, 2012
(No Price Yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Terminal 5
($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
($30) Ralph Stanley @ B.B. Kings
($40-$100) An Intimate Valentine’s Concert with Jim Brickman @ Best Buy Theater
($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
Monday, February 13, 2012
($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
($10) An Evening with: Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (9pm)
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($33-$95) Tibet House Benefit Concert @ Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Feat. Laurie Anderson, Antony, James Blake, Tim Fain, Philip Glass, Stephin Merritt, Rahzel, Lou Reed, Dechen Shak-Dagsay
($35) Les Paul Mondays feat. Special Guests Earl Slick (Guitarist with David Bowie) and Lee Rocker (Bassist from Stray Cats) with The Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
($75-$85) Cedric The Entertainer @ The Beacon Theater
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
(Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
(No price yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Webster Hall
($15-$17) Legendary Meters Drummer: Zigaboo Modeliste’s NY Foundation of Funk Revue ft. Andy Hess, Brian Mitchell, Jonathan Batiste & Jamie McLean @ Highline Ballroom
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science
Thursday, February 16, 2012
($73) John Hammond & John Mayall @ The Allen Room at Lincoln Center
(Free) Taylor Carson @ Rockwood Music Hall
($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Less Than Jake @ The Brooklyn Bowl (Early Show)
($35-$40) Auktyon featuring John Medeski & Marc Ribot @ le Poisson Rouge
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
Friday, February 17, 2012
($8) Higher Nebulae @ Sullivan Hall (early show)
($10) Gent Treadly @ Sullivan Hall (part of another band on the bill)
($10-$13) Tall, Tall Trees @ Mercury Lounge
($15) A toga-party with America’s #1 Party Band!: Otis Day & the Knights @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($18-$22) Saul Williams @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($55-$130) Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall
Saturday, February 18, 2012
(Free) Hot Peas ‘N Butter @ Carnegie Hall (45 Minute Children’s Performance)
($8-$10) Skatalites @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($10) CEG Presents: MUN’s CD Release Party featuring MUN plus Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Sullivan Hall
($13) The Souljazz Orchestra plus Zongo Junction @ The Studio at Webster Hall
($22-$32) Emilie Autumn @ Gramercy Theater
($30) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($38-$42) Davy Jones of The Monkees @ B.B Kings
($50-$65) Mardi Gras Ball with Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers plus Bonerama w/ special guest Marco Benevento, DJ Cochon de Lait and special guests Outer Borough Brass Band @ Hiro Ballroom
($50-$100) Peter Frampton: Back by Popular Demand! The Frampton Comes Alive 35 Tour @ The Beacon Theater
($55-$130) Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science
Sunday, February 19, 2012
($18-$23) Big Gigantic @ Webster Hall
($25) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($50-$65) Mardi Gras Ball with Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers and Bonerama @ Hiro Ballroom
Monday, February 20, 2012
($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
($15-$18) Jenny Scheinman’s Mischief & Mayhem w/ Nels Cline, Jim Black, and Todd Sickafoose @ le Poission Rouge
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($32-$38) Marcia Ball and BeauSoleil @ City Winery
($30) Les Paul Mondays: The Jon Herington Band (lead guitarist of Steely Dan) and the Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
($15) Less Than Jake @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($20-$30) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Christian McBride & Russell Malone @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($25) Tigran Hamasyan & Jason Lindner/Mark Guiliana Duo @ Highline Ballroom
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
(Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
(Free) Cabinet @ Rodeo Bar
($20-$30) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Christian McBride & Russell Malone @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($50-$60) Flogging Molly, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and The Devil Makes Three @ Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom
Thursday, February 23, 2012
(Free?) Gent Treadly @ East Side Billiards
($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($20) Phife Dawg (of Tribe Called Quest) and Friends @ B.B. Kings
($25-$40) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Dr. Lonnie Smith @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($25-$45) In-Tune Music Festival: Philip Glass performing Kaddish (7pm)
One of the greatest works to emerge from the Beat Generation was Allen Ginsberg’sKaddish, a sprawling, propulsive poem about the poet’s estrangement from Judaism. The 2012 Tune-In Music Festival will begin with a world premiere, commissioned by the Park Avenue Armory from jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, to be performed by the composer and an eight-piece ensemble accompanying a reading of Kaddish by Ginsberg collaborator Hal Willner and artist Ralph Steadman, who will create the visual design and staging to accompany the piece. (Runs 75 minutes with no intermission)
($30-$35) Sinead O’Connor @ Highline Ballroom
($55-$250) HIAS Regina Spektor Benefit Concert @ Rose Theater at Lincoln Center
Friday, February 24, 2012
($12) Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (10pm)
($12-$15) Twiddle / FiKus with Psychedelphia and The Fundimensionals @ Sullivan Hall
($15) Wyllys ft. Jennifer Hartswick w/ Special Guests @ The Blue Note (Late Night Series)
($15) An Evening With The Cast and Crew of: The Adventures of Pete and Pete @ Bowery Ballroom
($25-$45) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass and Patti Smith: The Poet Speaks @ Park Avenue Armory (7pm)
Longtime Glass collaborator Patti Smith and her band join Glass for the second concert, “The Poet Speaks,” performing music and readings celebrating their favorite poets, including Ginsberg and William Blake, which will be the first New York performance for the pair. (Runs approx. 90 Minutes with no intermission)
($30) Hit Squad – Reunion Show: Redman, Epmd, Das Efx, Keith Murray @ Best Buy Theater
($30-$35) Sinead O’Connor @ Highline Ballroom
Saturday, February 25, 2012
($10) Dopapod / Turbine with The Mantras , MiZ , XVSK @ Sullivan Hall
($15) Kung Fu @ The Blue Note (Late Night Series)
($20) Eric Lindell with special guest Otis Taylor @ Hiro Ballroom
($22-$26) Buckwheat Zydeco @ B.B. Kings (Grammy Winning King Of New Orleans Zydeco)
($25) Railroad Earth and Cornmeal @ Best Buy Theater
($30-$50) Tune-In Music Festival: The Philip Glass Ensemble performs his Music in 12 Parts @ Park Avenue Armory (5pm)
For the third concert, The Philip Glass Ensemble will offer a rare performance of the entire Music in Twelve Parts, Glass’s epic minimalist composition which he considers his “breakthrough” work. (Runs a total of 5 hours including two short intermissions and one hour long dinner break)
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom
Sunday, February 26, 2012
($15) Chris Rob: Game Rebellion @ Highline Ballroom
($15-$35) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass performs Afternoon Concert @ Park Avenue Armory (2pm)
The final day of the Festival will begin with compilation of unique artists that Philip Glass has assembled and represent the forward momentum of contemporary music. (Runs a total of 2 hours 15 minutes with one Intermission)
($15-$35) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass’s Another Look at Harmony – Part IV @ Park Avenue Armory (7pm)
The Festival concludes with Glass’s Another Look at Harmony, a choral work Glass started in 1975 for organ and 100 voices, performed by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, the Collegiate Chorale, and organist Michael Riesman, music director and keyboardist of The Philip Glass Ensemble. (Runs 62 minutes with no intermission)
($25-$40) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: A Night at Jillys ft Dee Dee Bridgewater & Freddy Cole @ The Blue Note
($27.50) Marc Ribot’s ” Really The Blues” @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
($30) Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
($50-$75) An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren@ City Winery
Monday, February 27, 2012
($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
($10) Erik Deutsch Demonio Teclado CD Release Party @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($27.50) Marc Ribot’s ” Really The Blues” @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
($50-$75) An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren@ City Winery
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($15) Bowlive III @ The Brooklyn Bowl: Special Guests: John Scofield & Luther Dickinson
($30-$40) Leo Kottke @ City Winery
($35-$40) Robert Glasper Experiment:With Special Guests Yasiin Bey, Chrisette Michele, Lalah Hathaway & More @ Highline Ballroom
($50-$150) Van Halen with Kool & The Gang @ Madison Square Garden
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
(Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
($15) Bowlive III @ The Brooklyn Bowl: Special Guests: John Scofield & Luther Dickinson
Being asked to write for The Royal Family Records website has been one of my greatest accomplishments. I discovered Soulive in Charlottesville, Va back in 2000 and have been following their talent ever since. Eric Krasno is one of my top ten favorite guitarist, I won’t tell you at which spot he lies 🙂 Alan Evans is a beast on the drums and what Neal Evans can do with his hands is spectacular, playing both the bass and keys himself.
Get some!
Following their music over the years, I knew that this is where their musical headquarters lay when I decided to move to NYC. I knew that my musical pallet would get a wide variety of musical flavors to choose from moving here in 2004 but it wasn’t until I fully immersed myself in the culture of music in NYC that I realized just how much there was to see and hear.
The lovely female voices of The Royal Family
Bowlive 2010 was announced last March on the heels of my re-entry into NYC’s musical culture after 6 years being taken away due to life’s responsibilities. Once I realized what this musical event was going to entail, I knew I couldn’t miss a single show.In addition to Bowlive containing all the Royal Family projects, we were delivered some of soul music’s greatest musicians and singers over a 10-night run. Unbelievable…
Ragin'
Don’t believe me? Go buy the 2010 Bowlive DVD on Amazon!! The 112-minute feature includes special guest appearances by Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Susan Tesdeschi, DJ Logic, Ivan Neville, Oteil & Kofi Burbridge, Robert Randolph, ?uestlove, Rahzel, The London Souls, the Shady Horns, Nigel Hall, Danny Sewonik, Tash Neal, Raul Midón & more!
Taylor Hicks & Lenesha Randolph @ 2011 Bowlive
By the time Bowlive 2011 had come around, I was in place to write for The Royal Family and cover each night of Bowlive. This was a dream come true as I had placed various members and groups of The Royal Family in my “Top Ten Favorites” lists since discovering them. This writing project was unmatchable in terms of excitement and it poured out in my writing without any help.
Adam Smirnoff and Nigel Hall @ Bowlive 2011
Over the course of 10 days, this musical marathon exposed hungry music lovers to over 25 artists, such as old school Funkateers, saxophonist Maceo Parker and keyboardist Bernie Worrell and jazz legend, guitarist John Scofield and pianists James Hurt and Ivan Neville. As well, many were introduced to the amazing young talents such as vocalist Alicia Chakour and trumpeter Maurice Brown. We were treated to the poetry in motion of rappers WAX, Pharoah Monch and Talib Kweli as well as the amazing musical talents of the Burbridge brothers, flautist Kofi and Bassist Oteil. Our minds were blown as horn player Karl Denson and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph brought the spirit of John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix respectively to the stage for us all to climb to the highest heights of musical ecstasy. Corey Glover, Yonrico Scott and DJ Logic were all lying in the cut bringing their own flavors. Behind it all, what really made this musical marathon amazing is the chemistry and talents of Eric Krasno, Neal Evans and Alan Evans, the brilliant New York City Soulfunk trio Soulive.
Karl D is the man!
Here is a link to each of my nightly reviews on The Royal Family Records website. Enjoy!
Bowlive II: Night Three – Soulive w/ Alecia Chakour and Bernie Worrell @ The Brooklyn Bowl
(Photo by Allison Murphy)
(Photo by Allison Murphy)
The Royal Family just keeps raising the bar as the third night of Bowlive 2 was spectacular!!! Any night where the new musical generation of a genre gets to play with an old school member something magical happens on stage.
The vampy Alecia Chakour engaged the audience with her soulful vocals to open the evening. Chakour’s emotive voice was a nice change from the Nigel Hall and WAX sets that opened the previous nights. She is a phenomenal power behind the microphone similar to the likes of Joss Stone but better. Chakour spoke of family and a theme that would define the evening was unleashed.
The addition of Alecia Chakour to The Royal Family has been a pleasant surprise this year. The combination of Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour’s voice is seamless. His vibrant, smooth voice melds wonderfully with Alecia’s calm, sexy vocals. Their tonality and harmony on top of one another is flawless. Their chemistry, amazing as he dances around her and she locks eyes with him. So long as they continue to perform together, they will become a force to be reckoned with, without a doubt.
The ever hilarious MC Mike Gibney introduced Soulive speaking of his new haircut and how sharp he looks for this awesome band! Soulive started their set with tracks such as “Something” from their latest album Rubber Soulive. The Shady Horns, consisting of Ryan Zoidis and Cheme Gastelum, stepping in for Sam Kininger, were brought out to compliment the jazzy/funk trio on a KILLER “Hat Trick,” where Gastelum was given room to release a spectacular solo. Nigel Hall came out to lend his vocals to “Do the 2” and “Too Much” with help from Alecia Chakour.
Set List: Beatles medley, Something, Upright, For Granted, Hat Trick, Doin’ The 2, Too Much
A group that helped define a genre, Parliament Funkadelic was the bearer of multiple musicians that helped developed what FUNK sounds like and stands for!! Band leader George Clinton lead the Mothership of musical freaks to the promise land through his vocals, songwriting and outrageous character. Bassist Williams “Bootsy” Collins is considered highly influential in his funk bass styling. Then, you have Bernie Worrell, an amazing keyboardist who brought the synthesizer to the forefront of funk.
With a scarf on his head, Nigel Hall led the masses through a medley of P-Funk tunes. Where some might say the “Dr. Frankenstein” was the highlight others will argue that “Flashlight” blew the cobwebs out our minds! During “Mothership,” Bernie Worrell played the keys as Neal Evans perfectly projected a sound that emulated a spaceship landing. It was amazing and uplifting to say the least.
(Photo by Allison Murphy)
During “Dr. Frankenstein”, my personal favorite RIPPING JAM of the night, hilarious bassist, Chris Loftlin, comes to the front of the stage, takes the microphone and proceeds to sing the children’s tune “Little Mrs. Muffit,” throwing us his ROCK HORNS and amping up the audience more then ever. He is so unbelievably fun, hilarious, vibrant and awesome! I adore Chris Loftlin. Check it out:
Set List: Up For the Downstroke, Mothership, Dr, Frankenstein, Flashlight, Do That Stuff
Are you ready for more? Tonight Krasno and the Evans Brothers welcome pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph (Robert Randolph and the Family Band, The Word) to engage Brooklyn Bowl’s audience in yet another night of soulful music..
Obscure hip-hop artist WAX opened the show with a few solo songs warming the crowd up before members of Soulive and Lettuce joined for a horn-raging “I Can’t Remember Your Name” and “Shake” As the musicians were plugging in, WAX recognizes that his mic is the only one whose is working. “I can talk mad shit now! All ya mamma’s are fat!” He looks at Krasno and says: “I didn’t say yall could come out and play.”
Not sure how to express how I felt about him but I knew I liked whatever he was doing once the band joined in. I wish I could have understood him better but as I walked around the venue, I could never find a spot that feed me his lyrics in a way I could understand. Here is what I mean:
This is a little better:
The vibe was different from last night’s performance as the audience was filled with more hip-hop heads rather than old school Maceo Parker fans. However, just like last night, the energy was the UP UP UP! Prior to the performances, you could find members of Lettuce and Soulive roaming around the venue. Where as last night it was packed so tight, so early, the musicians knew to stay in the cramped backstage area they normally reside. Even guitarist Kirk Yano was roaming the floors for a while.
There was a raffle that began to help raise awareness and monies for New Orleans Musicians still effected by Katrina. Buying a ticket for $5 locks you into a possibility of snagging one of the three tapestries created by Michael Weintrob (Michael Weintrob Photography) picturing the members of Soulive in three amazing settings. Check it out:
(Photo by Michael Jurick)
Fear and Loathing was playing on the big screen in the middle of the room. I had to smile at that one. Tonight, I also realized that Michael Weintrob (Michael Weintrob Photography) and two of my favorite NYC based photographers, Dino Perrucci (Dino Perrucci Photography) and Allison Murphy, (Allison Murphy Photography) had released a limited edition book of pictures from Bowlive 2010 ($75) all signed by the band on opening night! I’ve looked at the book and everyone should get this one if you were there and have any emotional connection to the musical run that started a GREAT tradition at the Brooklyn Bowl!
This evening would mark Soulive’s twelfth birthday. Around 10:20pm, Nigel Hall introduced the members of Soulive and the bass heavy “Steppin” started it off. They played into a set of songs from their first album Get Down, released in 1999!
Soulive – Get Down! Album Track Listing 1 So Live! 2 Uncle Junior 3 Rudy’s Way 4 Cash’s Dream 5 Turn it Out 6 Brother Soul 7 Right On
(Photo By Allison Murphy)
“We are going old school yall,” shouted Alan Evans. There is something about his voice and the way he MCs, I just immediately snap to attention when I hear him. Love him. He continued to tell a story of how there was so much hype over last year being Soulive‘s ten birthday that it was overlooked that it was really their eleventh birthday. So, the record was set straight and “Rudy’s Way” was next, followed by a drumming solo by brother Alan Evans.
A raging Lettuce set closed out the night with sensational hip-hop artist Pharoahe Monch stepping in and spittin’ his way through “Welcome to the Terradome,” “Shine,” “Desire” and many of his signature songs. This set was pure fire as drummer Adam Deitch beat on busted cymbals and Neal Evans almost knocked over his keyboard as they played with fierce excitement.
(Photo by Allison Murphy)
(Photo by Allison Murphy)
Neal Evans has really stood out in my mind over the past two nights. He is really amazing. He holds down a position in a band that not many other artists hold down as he plays the bass line on the keyboards. I love when I fall in love with musicians over and over again and right now, I’ve fallen in love with Neal and his amazing skill of playing the bass-keys. I’d love to get inside his brain and his closet as he is always wearing killer kicks.
(Photo by Allison Murphy)
“Cash’s Dream,” Nigel’s favorite Soulive song as he would later tell me, followed and I remembered that even musicians are big fans too!
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 