Maceo's band was *tight* (drums, bass, and organ--couldn't catch their
names though) and they opened the show with a smoltering, grinding 12-bar
blues number. Soloist solo...10 minutes go by. Then, enter Maceo.
The man (with his trademark sideburns, of course) *STRUTS* on to stage,
eyes, bulging, eyes-a-frowing, and slowly check out the audience. Some
people at the front were desperately trying to shake AMceos hand, but Maceo
simply looked at them, nodded his head, flared his nostrils, and walks to
the middle of the stage. By this time people were going absolutely
Nuts...and the energy doubles when Maceo reaches for his sax. So whut does
Maceo do? Honks one note, and then struts off stage again!!!!!!
Maceo certainly served notice that this was gonna be a party-- and not just
a music concert. MAceo had the audience singing half of the songs,
including Pass the Peas, & Cold Sweat; he even invited members of the
audience to come up to sing and dance with the band (I'm telling you, Fred
is a big man, but he STILL has got the moves. SAme respect to Maceo!)
Fred was musically, incredible. But he, especially, made the concert into a
FAT Albert and the Cosby Kids type of party..dancing around, chasing the
bass player, passing the audience bottles of water, and announcing to the
audience half way through "THis is a House Party!!", and then tearing it up
on trombone
Corey Parker guest rapped with the band..and he was pretty good.
Apparently, he's gonna be on Maceo's next album.
The crowd was sort of freaky..it wa made up of a lot of young, *White*(no
disrespect), grungers and ravers. There were very little (if any) t.O
hip-hoppers there..which leaves me with a couple of questions.....
The pre-show d.j was simply awful, spinning nothin but really bad jungle(
and trust me, I like jungle). So, a good vibe from the show, but rather
odd vibe from the crowd,& the environment itself.
Anyhow, Maceo is still one FUNKY brother. So, Headz, if you get a chance to
see him...then do so!!
-Shanti,
-Hiren ('The Brown Hornet)
(hmistry@trentu.ca)