Although it isnt Acid-Jazz by any stretch of the imagination, I just wanted to
mention that I was sorely disappointed at the George Clinton & P-Funk Allstars
concert I went to last night at Dartmouth College, in Hanover, NH.
I went expecting funk. I left halfway though having been disgusted at the
"rock" sound that was perpetrated. For one song, there were five, count 'em,
five guitarists on stage, not including the bassist. One song was five minute
solo guitar virtuoso performance which was neither impressive or funky. I left
after hearing seven songs of which two were old standards (We got the Funk, and
that other chart-topper, I forget.) The other 5 songs were a horrible parody
of rock and the crowd was tepid to say the least.
After leaving I spoke with friends who were either displeased because they went
expecting funk and didnt hear much, or others who went expecting nothing and
had a good time.
Although I know it is a standard part of his repertoire, I thought the
CIA-Coast Guard diatribe was useless and fell of deaf ears at this venue. One
of the performers also was yelling "Power!" which then turned into "Pussy!" and
the crowd silenced itself. I was unimpressed. George himself was decked out
in a Mickey Mouse robe which I thought was ironic considering the
mega-conglomerate that Mickey now represents.
The sad thing about the concert (which is in part a function of the audience)
was that the bandmembers had to continually do the "hand-wave" or hopping thing
to keep the crowd going. They also paraded around the stage with signs like
"clap" or "Jump" etc. I got the feeling that over the years Clinton has
developed a "recipie for funk" that he uses when he isnt interested in working
for it. None of the bandmembers (save the drummer) were impressive and the
overall sound was horrendous- too loud and distorted. Maceo Parker had a much
better concert last year so we know it can be done right. Perhaps Clinton is
waning? Too much of last night's performance was prescripted and planned and
not my impression of a spontaneous funk feel. It was sad and I was angry. I
left halfway through and although they supposedly had a good jam at the end,
they now have one less avid fan.
A friend mentioned that she heard that on Clinton's college tours he makes more
of a "guitar sound" because that's what he thinks will get through and that's
what all college students appreciate. Well, he did create a guitar sound, but
it sure as hell wasnt funky. I'd get more funked out by listening to Parker's
"Life on Planet Groove," sad to say.
I'm now hinging a lot on the upcoming Fugees show. I hope that they dont
tailor their show for college audiences to the point where they change their
sound.
Gen