Live
Maceo Parker: Pigalle 19/08/2008
When Prince was asked recently does he still enjoy playing live, the diminuitive superstar replied “hell yeah! I get to shout, Maceo blow your horn!...
”So it was with much gleeful relish that I got to see one of the original funk soul brothers live and direct and in such fine fettle. Maceo was in the house and it was definately time to party! However before my eulogy let’s just reflect what part Maceo has contributed tothe history of funk and his magical ability to transcend the boundaries of it along with R&B, and Jazz. He has become one of the most influential artists ever. His sound, so recognizable, has given him iconic status and made him one of the few remaining saxophonists of his era to have a sustained profile, despite criminally limited airplay and mainstream exposure.
Although there are numerous talents in his field who skillfully play the alto saxophone with precision, it is Parker who has managed to blow away his contemporaries time-and time again. Overall, he has stayed true to himself, doing what he does best, without compromising his music for the sake of commercial gain. Basically, in a nutshell, his credentials speak for themselves!
Launching the evening with 'Funky Fiesta' saw the band limber up and no sooner had they started off the blocks - the funk was formed and ready. Talk about sitting on a groove! This funk was off the hook! When you have Rodney “Skeet“ Curtis(bass) and Jamal Thomas (drums) as your rhythm section you have the true kith and kin of the band.
Maceo times his solo like a skilled boxer waiting to deliver his sucker punch, teasing us with jabs and fancy footwork then before you know it bang! In for the kill! There’s something primordial about his contagious sound – entrancing pentatonic scales creating a frenzied percolation and the essential earthiness of his work permeates throughout. A harmonic, melodic and rhythmic embrace of Funk and it’s musical mother Jazz in all it’s glory……
No set would be complete without some James Brown classics such as 'Papa Don’t Take No Mess' and 'Make it Funky.' ”Trombonist Dennis Rollins (looking tickled pink to be in the band!) punching above his weight with a fiery freightload of bone blowing stood his ground and proved a valuable member on the night. Epic stuff D-boy!
Maceo is a wise and sagacious performer who has cherry picked his band carefully. If you are going to do a three hour set without a break then you need back up! I particularly enjoyed guitarist Bruno speight’s moment of glory in “to be or not to be Soliloquy ”He is the finished article as far as I’m concerned - if you mix Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Jimmy Nolan and Freddie Stone you’ll get some idea of what this guy’s credo is all about.
Adding to the mix tonight let’s not forget Maceo’s voice, sweeter than JB but with a pleasing rasp and when he goes into taking off Ray Charles, Maceo really soars! Maceo, the true jazzer, also loves the opportunity to drop in quotes even making Paul Mc Cartney’s 'My Love does it Good' sound cool !
Parker knows that the groove is the focus, and working it is his main aim. Time and space pass him by but when the tempos are so right who cares if the songs are stretched to epic lengths and his band are more than happy to be a part of these ritualistic jams. Maceo is truly a superb frontman and a sort of funky traffic cop directing scores of solos from his highly skilled musicians. This man has so much soul power and shows no indication of slowing down, his energy is infectious and if it hadn’t of been for the dining tables (pass the peas dear!) he would have had the audience on their feet by the end of the first number let alone what ensued by the end of the night! A marathon affair indeed!
Words Emrys Baird
