UMass Fine Arts Center, Amherst
November 8, 2012
by Eric Sutter
Two icons of American music collaborated on the first ever
"Spirituals To Funk" concert that is touring America this autumn. Dr.
John is an ambassador of all things New Orleans as his music testifies
flawlessly. The swampy gris gris of "Iko, Iko" revved up the Lower
911 band he tours with. He showcased music from his latest CD "Locked
Down" due out this April. "Revolution" and "Big Shot"
had a slight departure from style with a hip R&B sound geared up with a
younger set of musicians. Trombone solos by Sarah Morrow were hot. Dressed in a
purple suit and fancy hat, Dr. John pounded the funky strutter "Right
Place, Wrong Time" with its throbbed rhythms of funk ecstasy which plunged
the audience over the edge. "Such A Night" delivered a smooth blues
streaked soul sound with solid piano intro and outros by Dr. John.
The tone was set as the gold suited Blind Boys of Alabama
stepped into their sacred ground to sing the spiritual "People Get
Ready" accompanied by a sweet slide guitar solo by John Fohl. Their pure
hearted harmonies humbled and moved the audience to sing and sway. "Spirit
In The Sky" had everybody rockin' true. Dr. John backed them on keyboards
for the fantastic dazzle of "There Will Be A Light." The gospel
rave-up "Free At Last" percolated to a vibrant zenith with group
member Jimmy Carter's high mark vocals -- pure musical pairings don't come more
inspired. This integrated show explored the connections between jazz, blues and
gospel. As the opening chords to "House Of The Rising Sun" began, the
Blind Boys sang America's favorite hymn "Amazing Grace" with Dr.
John's triumphant keyboard solo adding dimension.
The folk standard "If I Had A Hammer" turned into
a glorious gospel jazz handed stomper. Dr. John soloed rock n' roll guitar with
a solid punch on "Let The Good Times Roll." Bass player David Barard
jazzed a funky bass solo. He sang lead on a bluesy spirited "When The
Saints Go Marching In" to the Blind Boy harmony. The concert encored with
the gospel standard "Since I Laid My Burdens Down" for the send off.
