Gerald Veasley - Remembering the Sound of Philly

There are so many things to like about the Berks Jazz Fest.  Personally, I like when I can leave my hotel room at 9:50 p.m. to go see a 10:00 performance, arrive at the venue at 9:55, and be in my seat in time for the show.  Afterward, I can shake hands with the artists, and venture into the hotel jazz club for a libation or two.  Then, when I am all jazzed out, I can take the elevator back up to my room and call it a night. No hassles exiting crowded parking lots, no porta-potties to contend with, no mosquitoes to swat at, no 90 degree heat, no designated driver needed, and no dropping off your drunken, tag-along friend who can’t remember how to get back to his own house. Just enough energy to push that elevator button is all I need.  Now, that’s living.

Saturday night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Reading, Gerald Veasley and a few of his friends got together at the hotel ballroom and gave the audience a performance that explains exactly why this jazzlover’s spring fling has gotten increasingly popular since the day of it’s inception, 21 years ago.The versatile bass player led an act that paid tribute to the “Sounds of Philly,” taking the audience back to the time of the 70’s and early 80’s which marked the era when the unmistakable “Philly” sound was at its peak.  Joined by Walter Beasley, Nick Colionne, Carol Riddick, and Will Downing, the band performed a nice mixture of the most popular classic R&B tunes of the day, and flavored them with their own personal styles to create an innovative groove that kept the crowd hand-clapping to the MFSB favorite “Soul Train,” and providing back-up vocals while Will Downing took the lead on “People Make the World Go Round.”  Walter Beasley was masterful as he performed Grover Washington’s timeless classic “Mr. Magic.”  His delivery reminded me of just how much Grover was loved and respected by his fellow sax players.  Nick Colionne did a nice job of taking on Eric Gale’s signature guitar riff throughout the song.   A great showman as well as guitarist, Colionne kept the evening light, entertaining the crowd with his playful interaction with the band members.  Gerald Veasley added a nice touch to the concert by dedicating his version of “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” to the memory of the late Wayman Tisdale.

When Carol Riddick first took the stage I had not heard her before and had no idea what to expect.  Let me assure you that I know who she is now. Folks, this girl has got some pipes. Her voice features depth and power, and she possesses exceptional control which allows her to range out with fearless emotion, and then fade back to a whisper without losing clarity or pitch.  I’m looking forward to seeing more of Ms. Riddick.

Gerald Veasley, or “Mr. Veasley” as his musician friends affectionately call him, settled the crowd in, as though we were all invited to his own private party.  He is a natural at directing the flow of a concert.  Music is still a business and even the finest musicians still need someone to be in charge once they hit the stage.  Much like Marcus Miller, Veasley is the consummate bandleader. Watch him closely.  He manages the stage, making sure everyone hits their cues and stays in the moment.  And when it’s his turn to shine, he's intense but  remains poised.  He’s not flashy, he’s just good. Damn good.

After it was all over, I shook hands with the artists, made a few new friends, and drank my fill of bourbon and beer at Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base.  Tired and all jazzed out, I headed for the elevator and pushed the button, after which I found myself fully enjoying my ten-second ride home.

G.  

Today's Big Birthdays in Music

George Benson - Legendary Jazz Guitarist - 1943

Stephanie Mills - Dynamic singer and performer - 1957

Earl Klugh - Blues Alley: Washington, D.C.

I know a lot of people who know the name, know the music, and know the way it makes them feel when they hear the unmistakable soft touch that Earl Klugh adds to almost every song he embraces.  We think of our favorites like, Heart String, Living Inside Your Love, or Wishful Thinking. We place the cds in the changer, turn the lights down low, snuggle up with our sweethearts, and melt into the loveseat while the flames in the fireplace do an exotic dance to the gentle rhythms.  Not a thing wrong with that, right?

Right!  That’s just the point.  The only thing wrong about that, is that I have run into some fans who have this misguided idea that if they were to attend an Earl Klugh concert, they might expect to see a sleepy, lackluster, event that makes you think of being in bed on a rainy day with the covers pulled up over your head.  Here is the truth. When you go to an Earl Klugh event, you are going to have a good time.  A really good time.

First of all, we all know that the man has created some beautiful music with that guitar.  But after having put out thirty albums, you may have forgotten that Klugh possesses a full showcase of music that reveals some extraordinary creativity that fuses his melodic style with latin-oriented syncopation, reggae-based dance music, and songs that have a funk-tinged R&B flavor.   While it is always pleasant to hear him perform Dream Come True, the joint livens up when he launches into some of those songs that have attitude and sass like, Midnight in San Juan or Slo Boat to Rio. Remember, we’re talking about the same guy who has done stints with George Benson and Return to Forever. Heck, David Lee, who has played keyboards with him for the past fifteen years or more, was one of the original members of the Parliament-Funkadelic cast.  Remember the tune, Atomic Dog? David was the mastermind behind that monster hit. Listen, I’m not trying to tell you that when you attend one of Klugh’s concerts you’re going to see fog machines, strobe lights or spaceships landing on the stage, but I will tell you that at some point you will find yourself clapping and moving in your seat to the groove.

Earl Klugh will be at Blues Alley tonight and close things out tomorrow evening for the finale.  So if you’ve always been a fan, but never been to a concert, check him out and enjoy watching a true master at the acoustic guitar put on a display that will leave you totally satisfied, energized and saying “Wow, that was a great concert!”

G.      

Tribute to the 60's and 70's

I find it interesting to look back in time at certain events and recall or imagine what the cultural climate was like, and then analyze what impact those events had on the mood of the music artists of that era. 

Of all the decades of the twentieth century, the music of the 60’s and the 70’s is most intriguing to me.  With the emotional conflict that swelled within the country surrounding racism and the struggle to obtain civil rights, I believe the passion that arose from that conflict eventually boiled over, as black people and white people simply got sick and tired of being emotionally imprisoned by their inability to diffuse this nonsensical, misguided line of thinking as to what makes people different from one another.  As that pot boiled over, it boiled for just the right amount of time, under just the right environmental conditions whereby it produced a distillate that crystallized into a priceless collection of what is now widely recognized as arguably the most innovative, emotionally-driven, and most “soulful” popular music of all time. So much turmoil had erupted from deep within the average man and woman that eventually something had to give.  Artists of every genre seemed to express themselves more passionately than ever before. But it was music, particularly from the younger generation, that spoke the loudest and the truest. The insanity of the continual racial divide had taken its toll on everybody.  Enough, already.

Forty-plus years later, here we are – all of us, still trying to get over it.  After having endured so much pain and heartache brought on by widespread riots, heart-wrenching assassinations, and let us not dare dismiss that other senseless horror of the day, the Vietnam War – who would have ever guessed that something so indescribably wonderful could have ever resulted from so much tragedy, mayhem, and sadness?

I love all music from all generations. I find it all to be incredibly fascinating.  But I don’t think there will ever be another era of music that will have the staying power or the emotional impact on people than the music that evolved during that particular crazy, mixed up time in our American history.  Remarkably, the music of the 60’s and the 70’s continues to routinely touch lives to this very day, with no signs of letting up.  I have a feeling that the last man on earth will know at least one song by either, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, or The Temptations.  Perhaps, the fact that I experienced my youth during those days has left me with a bit of a baby-boomer bias. But somehow I just can’t see Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, or Lil’ Wayne being on that list.

G.

One of My Favorite Things - EBTG

I love all kinds of music. All it has to do is sound good and make me feel that it truly means something to the artist who created it. It could be jazz, blues, funk, punk, rock, country, gospel, and yes, even hip-hop. (In light, controlled doses, mind you).  But no matter how I start the day out musically, by sundown I always find myself  returning to the romantic stuff. So, go ahead. Sue me.

One day sometime back in the early 90's, I was browsing through a record store looking for something new, fresh, different, and meaningful to put into my new compact disc player. I still find it exhilarating to buy an album by an artist whom I've never heard before, with the hope of finding at least one gem of a song that I would fall in love with, to be played over and over until the end of time. When I came across an album entitled "Language of Life" by the UK-based duo, "Everything But The Girl," I knew I had hit the jackpot. This record is indeed one of my most favorite things.

"EBTG" consists of lead singer Tracey Thorn and guitarist, keyboardist and singer Ben Watt. Together they deliver this album with their own brand of pop-folk, sophisti-coffee shop, adult angst .  The lyrics are personal and sensitive, wistfully painting portraits of  new love, troubled love, and love lost - with a perfectly understated jazzy backdrop. Tracey Thorn sings with no pretentious exaggerations of  emotion, bringing an honesty to each song performance that cannot be denied.  But what truly sets this couple apart from sounding like just another wonderfully quaint, coffee shop act is that this album was recorded using some of the finest jazz musicians in the world.  For starters, Tommy Lipuma produced the album.  He has an endless list of credits for having produced some of the biggest jazz artists in the 70's and 80's.  (You might recall he produced many of George Benson's recordings, including the forever classic Breezin' album). Language of Life also features Omar Hakim on drums, John Pattitucci on bass, Michael Brecker and Kirk Whalum on tenor sax, Russell Ferrante and Joe Sample on piano, Jerry Hey on flugelhorn, and Michael Landau on guitar.

I'll take that lineup any day of the week to play on my record.

Sometimes in life, things just fall right into place and an incredibly wonderful thing results. I believe that the Language of Life album by Everything But The Girl is one of those things - one of my favorite things.
G.

The Royal Scam Prepares for a Royal Slam at the Berks Jazz Fest

Anybody who really knows me knows that if I were asked, " If you could only pick one, who would be your favorite group of all time?" My answer would be short and sweet - Steely Dan.

There is no way I can begin to go into all of the reasons why this group has had such an important impact on so many people, including myself.  But for starters we can attribute their longevity to their dedication to quality. In a sentence, I chalk it up to the airtight musicianship, the crafty lyrics, and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing whims of the music industry, all without ever losing their identity.  There are countless fans of The Dan who would give their first-born just for a chance at front row seats to see them perform live, something that until recently, was practically unheard of.  The two co-conspirators of this iconic band, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are currently on tour and will be performing at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, Maryland this summer.  I have been fortunate enough to see them perform on several occasions.  All I can tell you is that I won't ever forget how fantastic it was to experience seeing these legends perform live. For me, nothing will ever top that. (Well, except for maybe that time I saw Stevie Wonder perform a free outdoor concert with full orchestral accompaniment, outside of the Ravens brand new football stadium one sultry, summer night in Baltimore.  That was pretty awesome)!

But, if you want to have a great time with a crowd of like-minded Dan-fanatics, then you have to check out The Royal Scam.  This group, named after one of the Dan's earlier albums, really has a great thing going. First and foremost, they love playing the music of Steely Dan.  This is really what makes it so fun to watch them perform. They don't claim to be anything other than a group of musicians who love the music of Becker and Fagen, and like sharing their love for it with others. They're like a grown-up teen-aged band that finally got really good. As long as you don't go in expecting to see the real thing, (and as a true Steely Dan fan, why would you?), I guarantee you will enjoy the show.  They will be performing at the Berks Jazz Fest:


Royal Scam's Tribute to Steely Dan
Saturday, March 26, 9 p.m., Abraham Lincoln Hotel Ballroom
Tickets: $20

Not only do they play an incredible array of songs, they do a surprisingly good job of delivering the signature nuances of each song in a such a way that brings a believability to their performance that will keep even the most persnickety of Dan-fans entertained. Obviously, the Royal Scam covers the mega-popular tunes like "Reelin' in the Years," and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." But if you're a Steely Dan fan who knows every word to "Any Major Dude" or "Haitian Divorce," then you will be pleasantly surprised at the song selections that this group is able to pull from their repertoire. They are a friendly bunch who have regular jobs and love performing these songs. They have been together for about 15 years, and the truth is, they are very good!  If you are a fan who would like to have a lighthearted, fun time while reminiscing down Steely Dan lane, then I know you will thoroughly enjoy The Royal Scam. Check them out at: www.royalscam.com

Klugh-less

Every other night, I pick up my Takamine classical electric and practice one of the songs from Earl Klugh's "Naked Guitar" CD.  It is one of my favorite recordings by Earl because the songs he plays are done so beautifully that it becomes a sort of puzzle for me to listen and try to figure out how he manages to play rhythmic bass lines along with the chords and lead melody lines, simultaneously and so seamlessly.  Classic standards such as, 'On a Clear Day," and "All the Things You Are" are done with true spontaneity yet they all contain interesting harmonic twists on his versions that make you go, "Hmmm. How did he do that? I need to hear that again!"

All of the songs on this CD are played solo, without dubs, or other such technical enhancements.  Just naked guitar, as the title says. I've played this CD a thousand times and I'm still shaking my head saying, "Hmmm.  I need to hear that again."  Check out  his version of  "Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead."  But let me give you fair warning:  Be sure to have your finger poised on the repeat button on your CD player. It won't help much in deciphering how he is able to do what he does, but at least you'll be prepared to give yourself the opportunity to pick your jaw back up off the floor.

G.

Berks Jazz Fest - The Biggest Little Secret on the East Coast

I've been attending this annual event for the past five years or so.  Only two and a half hours from Baltimore, in the grand city of Reading, PA, you can see some of the world's greatest jazz performers, along with some very good new talent in the area. This year the Berks Jazz Fest runs from March 25 through April 3, and features the likes of legendary performers ranging from, Al Jarreau and George Duke, to journeyman pros like Gerald Albright and Chuck Loeb. There's a little something for everyone at this shindig.  This year's lineup features Jeff Lorber, Will Downing, Randy Brecker, Kirk Whalum, Peter White, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson and Richard Elliot.  And I'm not even halfway through.

If you're a bass aficionado, you won't want to miss Stanley Clarke and Victor Wooten - on the same stage.   Go to http://www.berksjazzfest.com/.  See for yourself.

G.

The Prime Rib - Still walking the walk!

Classic jazz still exists in Baltimore, thanks to Jeff Wilson, Terry Battle, Brad Collins and Dave Smith.  Those of you who have been around Baltimore's jazz scene for the past 30 years or so are likely to know who these cats are.  Well, if you haven't seen them lately, put on a nice pair of slacks and wear a sport coat into the Prime Rib any night of the week and you are likely to hear some of the finest piano jazz this town has to offer.  Jeff Wilson is at the piano, often accompanied by Terry Battle's smooth bass lines. Together they will remind you of just how good it is to know good music.

G.