Concert Reviews
VOICES Notes and news on Concert Reviews
Blues That Groove
28 AUG 09 DAVID VIENNA
Robben Ford's diverse influences and storied career helped him create a playing style that seamlessly blends blues, funk, R&B, rock and even jazz. He is at his most impressive when bringing these varied elements together live. His latest release, Soul On Ten, captures that strange alchemy on live tracks recorded during two performances at The Independent in San Francisco.
Ford's road-tested band, which includes Neal Evans from the funky trio Soulive on the B-3, delivers a solid set of songs that leans heavily on the blues with a few eclectic touches, like the groovy bass solo on "Nothin' To Nobody."
There are some original compositions as well as a few covers of old school blues romps such as Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" and a medley of Elmore James' "Please Set a Date" and Jimmy Reed's "You Don't Have To Go." The disc also features to studio tracks, "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" and "Thoughtless." Both offer a laid-back groove that serves as a smooth landing for a the previous flight of gritty blues.
You can check out a video of the album's opening cut "Supernatural" here. Also, Ford has a few live dates coming up at the end of the year.
-
Supernatural
Robben Ford, from Soul On Ten
-
Take It Easy
Soulive, from Break Out
-
There'll Never Be Another You
Robben Ford, from Truth
-
Don't You Tell Nobody
Memphis Slim & Willie Dixon, from Willie's ...
-
Cannonball Shuffle (For Freddie King)
Robben Ford, from Keep On Running
in this playlist.
Sulphur To Hollywood
19 AUG 09 DAVID VIENNA
Elvis Costello brought his traveling hootenanny to Hollywood's Greek Theatre last night. Backed by a collection of veteran bluegrass musicians billed as The Sugarcanes, Elvis plucked and swayed through tracks from his recent Hear Music release Secret, Profane And Sugarcane as well as a handful of hits from his catalog and covers reworked to fit the folksy tone of the evening.
Hearing a full band -- guitars, double bass, violin, accordion, mandolin -- play cuts from his recent release like "Sulphur To Sugarcane" and "Down Among The Wine And Spirits" created an unexpected energy considering the low-key vibe on the album. Less like an acoustic show and more like a rowdy parlor band, Elvis and The Sugarcanes kept the evening moving with bluegrass renditions of other Elvis songs such as "Everyday I Write The Book" and "Alison."
Elvis is clearly a fan of all types of music and simply enjoys playing a good song. He peppered his set with covers from a broad spectrum of artists, all magically spun as bluegrass twangers. He revived Merle Haggard's "Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down" (which originally appeared on Elvis' stellar Almost Blue), The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" and two duets with opening act Lucinda Williams, a hilarious rendition of her "Jailhouse Tears" and The Rolling Stones' "Happy."
Costello is the consummate artist, trying on different hats, exploring the nuances and of great music in all genres. His current hat is coated with dust from a dirt road traveled between flophouses and barroom gigs. He's on tour now, so check him out if you can.
-
Sulphur to Sugarcane
Elvis Costello, from Secret, Profane and ...
-
Almost Blue
Elvis Costello, from Marian McPartland's ...
in this playlist.
SoCal Concert Roundup
11 AUG 09 RICK NUHN
The future of Concord Music Group was on vibrant display this past weekend at major venues all across Los Angeles. From young divas to polished soul stars to jazz masters, Angelinos were treated to a healthy dose of great music from current and upcoming Concord artists.
Friday night at L.A. Live it really was alive with N'dambi doing a sizzlin' set at the Conga Room. Although not even using her own band, N'dambi connected with the crowd immediately. As she performed her upcoming single "Cant Hardly Wait," the crowd began singing along with the chorus. N'dambi is a real talent and will be busy throughout the rest of the year. Make a point to see her as soon as you can.
Saturday it was the Universal City Walk and, in the shadow of the Hard Rock Cafe, Anjulie commanded the stage. Her interplay with the crowd was thrilling and her voice was in fine form revealing a few new tricks that I hadn't heard before -- so exciting to watch.
Closing out the weekend was as nice a setting as there is in Southern Cali, Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach. Over the course of the weekend, tens of thousands came to hear some of the best music in the world. Concord Music Group was well represented with Norman Brown, Ramsey Lewis, Marc Antoine, Paul Brown, Hiroshima and, closing out the show, two "Sisters of Stax," Leela James and Angie Stone.
Leela wowed the crowd as usual with her extraordinarily soulful voice and her grip on the crowd eventually had more than 30 of them up on stage with her. Amazing. Angie closed the show and, with her brand new band, she rocked the crowd with a set that featured a tasty sampling of her renowned catalog and hits from her Stax debut The Art Of Love And War.
-
Boom
Anjulie, from Anjulie
-
Soul Dance
Norman Brown, from Stay With Me
-
Voodoo Doll
Marc Antoine, from Hi-Lo Split
-
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Paul Brown, from White Sand
-
Roomful of Mirrors
Hiroshima, from Legacy
-
These Are The Reasons
Angie Stone, from The Art of Love & War
in this playlist.
Moon Ride In Paris
21 JUL 09 DAVID NATHAN
There is nothing quite like a European audience showing their appreciation for a soul music legend. I've witnessed that genuine love and respect on several occasions since arriving in London in April but nothing prepared me for the response that Stax artist Leon Ware elicited during his Paris debut at The New Morning club on July 18.
Before an excited packed house, the renowned singer/songwriter, musician and producer gave the anticipatory Parisian audience exactly what they came for. In an extended set that lasted for over two hours, Ware showcased tunes like the standouts "Smoovin'" and "Hold Tonight" from his Stax debut set Moon Ride alongside tunes he's written for Minnie Riperton ("Inside My Love"), Quincy Jones ("If I Ever Lose This Heaven") and, with particular poignancy, Michael Jackson ("I Wanna Be Where You Are") to rapturous applause.
Ware's rendition of his own "I Know It's You" (recorded by Donny Hathaway) was magnificent, delivered with true passion and deep emotion. A groove master of the first order, the justifiably self-proclaimed Minister Of Musical Sensuality brought the house down with "After The Dance" and "Come Live With Me," both from Marvin Gaye's '70s classic I Want You album which Ware composed and produced.
Ably assisted by a superb UK band and powerhouse vocalist Vanessa Haynes, Ware was in top form on "Why I Came To California" and "Rockin' You Eternally," two of the tunes from his own catalog of albums that have contributed to his status as a revered soul music master.
A final rousing "I Want You" and an encore during which Ware accompanied himself at the piano left the crowd begging for more and assuring that Ware's return to Paris can't come too soon.
BROWSE ARCHIVE OF CONCERT REVIEWS VOICES
