[acid-jazz] Concert Review: Victor Lemonte Wooten @ Irving Plaza, NYC

From: Bob Davis (earthjuice_at_prodigy.net)
Date: 2005-04-18 13:46:23

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    Hopefully yall are not bored with these reviews, but I just got this one in from last weeks
    show in NYC. Tonight I will attend the show in Philadelphia and later this week there will be
    shows in Cleveland and Chicago. The last Soul-Patrol/Victor Wooten show will be in early May
    in Los Angeles. These events are important for us not only to show up at and support, because
    Soul-Patrol doesn't have very many artists that we can support in a tour. The vast majority of
    the artists who play gigs only do "one shot deals", so there isn't much of an opportunity to
    put out a nationwide show of support. Of perhaps even more importance is to DOCUMENT this
    tour.

    We are documenting a true phenomena as a group. There is a historical parallel, think about it
    for a moment. In 2005 being a Black Victor Wooten fan is similar in some ways to being a Black
    Jimi Hendrix fan in 1967. 20 years from now a whole bunch of Black folks will be saying stuff
    like...
    "I was always down with Victa...."
    (and we will all know that they are liars.....lol)

    Here is Brotha Selah's report from NYC....
    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    First of all, I was tired. I'd been up since 6am, and had been to a host of
     meetings, one of which was back in Brooklyn. I had my heavy ass briefcase
    with me when I got to "The Plaza" at around 8:30. I had missed the "Meet and
    Greet".
    Got to the "Plaza" and there was a line leading up to the door. This was
    the ticket holders line. After I was cavity searched for, bombs, weapons,
    bottles and other WMD's I was admitted and told that I had to check my briefcase.
    Believe me, I was glad to do so. I did not want to drag that mofo all night.
     That sucka was heavy.

    After I checked my bag, I was told that I had to climb 2 more flights of
    stairs. I dutifully did so and came face to face with A WALL OF about 300 20 &
    30 SOMETHING BOUNCING AND CATAWALLING FUNKATEERS TAKING UP ALL AVAILIABLE
    SPACE AT STAGE LEVEL!!! The wall of peoples went back at least 30 feet.

    I looked all around for a sign of Soul Patrol but none was in sight, so I
    went to the balcony. The balcony was wall to wall peoples as well (and was
    smaller than I remember it.) Still no sign of Soul Patrol. I spied a section
    on the balcony THAT HAD CHAIRS and I figured that Soul Patrol would be there,
    so I made a beeline. I was stopped by a gangly brother who asked, "Do you
    have a pass?". I looked him up and down like he was a cockroach and in my best
    Klingon voice replied," Nooooo, I don't have a pass".

    I surpressed an urge to squash the brother and went to the bar to buy a
    drink. Threw back a tequila from the well, and asked the bartender where the
    bathroom was. When he told me it was 2 flights down, I groaned and decided to
    hold it.

    I then went back to the balcony and found a spot by the railing.
    Unfortunately, I had to fight for elbow space with this college kid and he wasn't
    giving up an inch. I was contemplating breaking his elbow when I spied two
    cushioned love seats next to the VIP section (where the cockroach was.)

    On one seat was seated a Black guy and a White guy. I asked them if I could
    sit down and the Black guy amiably said, "We've been waiting for you". When
    I sat down, the Black guy asked me if I was a musician. I nodded yes and he
    said, "Lemme guess, Bass Player, right?" Before I could ask him how he knew
    that, in sashays Ms. Cheryl Russell, accompanied by Robert, (whom I met a
    few weeks ago when Sally came to town) and two Black Wookies.

    Cheryl was surprised to see me and said that I hadn't told her I was coming
    (truly slipped my mind.) I asked her if she had passes for the VIP section.
    She replied that she would have to summon Victa's manager. She told me to
    wait there, and 2 seconds later came back with a short White guy, looking like
    Paul Shaffer from David Letterman. He in turn told us to wait downstairs by
    the bar. So down the stairs we all went.

    We got downstairs as the music started. Cheryl, looking pert and cute,
    started jumping up and down to the music like a teenager. She had soooo much
    energy. Disgusting behavior for a woman of her years. Somebody ought to tell
    her to act her age. (Although it won't be me, she ain't punchin ME out.)

    "Paul Shaffer" came back almost immediately, gave Cheryl the passes and told
    us that we could go up right after the drum solo. I asked him if I had time
    to go to the bathroom. He and Cheryl urged me to go.

    I went. When I came back I stopped at the bar and decided to have their
    cheapest beer. Never heard of Sharps before, so I ordered it. Turned out to be
    non-alcoholic. Not exactly what I wanted. What made matters worse was that
    when I got back to Cheryl and Co., I promptly spilled some all over the
    floor.

    At this point the show began and Cheryl started jumping even more. What we
    witnessed was nothing less than a muthafukin Bass Clinic. The first song was
    a song called "Natives", which featured the aforementioned drum solo. Then
    they went into a song called "Stay", and it featured on the stage not one,
    not two, but three bass players (Regi Wooten, Victor Wooten and Anthony "Flex"
    Wellington.) One of the Bass Players (Regi Wooten) was playing what appeared
    to be A 10 STRING BASS!!! All three bass players (which of course included
    Victa) were virtuosos. To make it worse, a 4th Bass Player appeared, (MC
    Divinity) only she was female and was also a virtuoso. These 4 Bass players
    started trading licks and carrying on in rapid fire style in what was appearing
    to be a Funk Symphony.

    In the midst of all this, Regi asked if there were any Bass Players in the
    house. Now why did he ask that? Practically the whole room raised their
    arms, giving the P-Funk Sign and bopping to the beat. CLEARLY 9/10ths of the
    people in the room were Bass Players, including myself. No wonder the brother I
    sat with earlier knew I was a Bass Player, every Bass Player and his (or
    her) Mama was there (I actually saw a young lady check a Gibson Thumper when I
    checked my bag).

    Then it got even worse. Will Lee from the Letterman show, showed up. NOW
    THERE WERE FIVE BASS PLAYERS ON THE STAGE!!!! Will Lee played the bass line
    from "Skintight", "I'll Take You There", "Flashlight", "Funky Good Time", "In
    A Godda Davida", "Sunshine of Your Love", "Slide", all the lines that we
    Bass Players had sat in front of our Wreaka Players and worn out grooves on
    these various tunes in an attempt to learn our craft. Everyone humming the lines
    as the five Bass Players played them. I WAS TRULY IN BASS PLAYER HEAVEN!!!!

    After this, Will Lee got off the stage and Regi switched to regular guitar.
    They went into a song called "Bass Tribute" where Victor paid homage to the
    Bassists that came before him, and influenced him, such as Stanley Clarke,
    Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham and James Jamerson. Victor paid
    homage by duplicating the style of each bassist. Sometimes he was successful
    and sometimes he wasn't. For example, his duplication of Stanley Clarke's
    style was unmistakable, a riff from "Romantic Warrior". Stanley is obviously a
    major influence. Victa's duplication of Graham and Miller was also dead on.
    When Victa duplicated Graham, he went into a brief rendition of "Can You
    Handle It" from Graham's Graham Central Station period. For Miller, he went into
    a rendition of "Back Seat Betty" from Miller's Miles period. His
    duplications of Jaco and Jamerson was less distinctive. Frankly, Victa's Pastorius
    sounded like Clarke played an octave lower. His rendition of Jamerson was
    indistinguishable. Still, I give him A for effort for even attempting to
    duplicate these great players.

    Victa next went into a touching song that celebrated his father, the
    influence he impressed upon him, and the great love he felt for him. I felt my eyes
    welling up. I'm such a softie.

    Next the percussionist, J.D. Blair, got up and put on a marching drum. I
    expected to see a drumming exhibition like that was displayed on "Drumline".
    None of that was forthcoming. J.D. did have the gift of gab, however. His
    duet with Victa was passable.

    By this time, however, my dawgs were hurtin, my back was screamin and the
    knees were clamoring for relief as well. This standing up and acting crazy is
    alright for the young folk but I had run out of walls and door knobs to hold
    me up and Baba Selah had to go sit down. General Russell and the rest of
    the Soul Patrollers had indicated their desire to stay in the trenches. In
    spite of my desire to maintain tribal unity, neither the mind or the body was
    willing. I asked Cheryl for the VIP pass and she gave it up. I then ascended
    to Heaven, and bid Soul Patrol adieu.

    When I got upstairs, I flashed my pass to the cockroach. He got in the last
    word by requesting that I apply it to my person. With great flourish I
    applied it to my ample abdomen and walked on by.

    I got a seat right by the railing, just in time to see DeRico Wilson display
    his contrapuntal dexterity on the trap set. I glimpsed Cheryl on the floor,
    jumping up and down like a ping pong ball, obviously in the moment and
    enjoying herself.

    What came next was one of the highlights of the evening.

    Regi Wooten is a geetar playin so and so. He has incorporated the best of
    Hendrix with the two handed tapping of Eddie Van Halen, all the while slippin
    and slidin like James Brown and doing his best Chuck Berry Duck Walk. What's
    worse, the brotha can sang. A joy to behold.

    Joe Wooten is a KEYBOARD playin so and so. He sang a funny and poignant
    tune called "Testosterone". You had to be there.

    Next Saundra Williams, a fine, dark skinned, lanky dreadlocked chanteuse
    sang a song called "On & On", which seguaded into a rendition of Chaka Khan's
    "Sweet Thing". Although she didn't even attempt to get into the atmospheric
    hyroglyphics that Chaka would have got into, she did sang the song.

    Next came MC Divinity. Another fine woman. Gold Dreadlocks. Rappin like
    MC Lyte meets Chuck D, all the while thumpin a blood red bass. Folks, this
    lady is formidable. Trust me, you will be seeing a lot of her.

    Next, the professor came and continued the bass clinic. I know that Dr. G
    says that he has seen all the greats and all I can say is, so have I. If I
    were to concede that Victor Wooten has not surpassed all of them, you would
    have to admit that none of them have anything on him either. Watching Victor
    leaves you panting like you just had great sex. And the thing of it is, he's so
    humble about it. And when he plays he looks like he's actually having fun.
    As far as I am concerned, when I see Victa play, I feel like Fats Waller
    felt in the presence of Art Tatum. Victor Lemonte Wooten is simply THE LORD OF
    THE ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR. End of story.

    Although, I must put in a word about Anthony Wellington. When Ron Carter
    started his group, he got Buster Williams to hold the bottom for him. Anthony
    Wellington's bottom allows Victa to get stratospheric and still keep things
    on the ground.

    He can play in anyone's band.

    As for the Soul Circus, like Ed Sullivan used to say, it is a Really Big
    Shew. Go see it.

    As tired as I was, I had a great time. Cheryl is, as always, great company
    and whenever we hang, we let em know that SOUL PATROL IS IN THA HOUSE!!!!

    Selah Eric Spruiell
    ----------------------
    Upcoming Victor Wooten Shows...
    ---------------------
    4/22 House of Blues Cleveland, OH
    Contact Soul-Patrol Coordinator: Iris Smith
    hellostranger_at_msn.com

    4/23 House of Blues Chicago, IL
    Contact Soul-Patrol Coordinator: Karl Williams
    kool1130_at_hotmail.com

    5/7 El Rey Theater Los Angeles, CA
    Contact Soul-Patrol Coordinator: Vernon Wright
    VW630_at_msn.com

    --------------------
    Bob Davis
    earthjuice_at_prodigy.net
    --------------------
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