by Ian Mann
November 24, 2011
/ LIVE
Guest contributor Mark Albini's thoughts on a night of five star festival funk at Charlie Wright's.
Went to see the Poogie Bell Band last Friday night and this turned out to be one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen! Four of the top session musicians in the USA at the absolute peak of their powers and playing rip-roaring solos with a big smile on their faces. They played about three Miles standards including “Tutu”, as well as lots of Marcus Miller (they’ve all been in his band) and soul/funk/jazz standards, with three or four of the band’s own compositions.
Poogie Bell’s drumming was absolutely faultless, Patches Stewart on trumpet was on fire, walking through the audience, soloing with his radio mike, Keith Anderson was incredible on the tenor and alto sax and the keyboard player, Bobby Sparks almost stole the show. His left hand played the bass lines on a keyboard throughout - and he didn’t look at his left hand once!
I would give them MAXIMUM stars because it worked on every level - sheer enjoyment, musicianship, grooves, soul, big hearts and big smiles and an almost telepathic understanding between players at the very peak of their powers. Next time they play, I’m taking the wife, kids and as many people as I can muster because these guys absolutely rock - or funk, I should say! Do yourself a favour and check ‘em out!
As for the venue, it’s just a ground floor pub setting but apparently Poogie and the guys like this. However, I would have preferred a basement jazz club setting as the people talking loudly at the bar weren’t there for the music. Had the music not been so loud, I could have seen me getting into trouble telling people to shut up!
MARK ALBINI
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