|
Johnny Vidacovich can play the drums with anybody. This is not an idle statement, it is a fact proven by his regular performances at the Old Point Bar in Algiers with a rotating cast of very talented sidemen. On Sunday night, this Vidacovich Trio incarnation featured Johnny with Chris Wood (upright and electric basses, MMW) and June Yamagishi (guitar, Papa Grows Funk and Wild Magnolias). It sounded as outstanding as it looks on "paper."
The music was consistently good throughout the two-set performance. In fact, there were several moments in which the music elevated from consistently good to a higher plateau known as "utter sickness." These moments of utter sickness, which caused me to smile and envision a sound meter pushed fully into the red, usually were the result of Vidacovich and Wood locking into an intricately tight, dense, and multi-layered groove. This sickness lock was soon followed by all hell breaking loose as Yamagishi would unleash a torrent of rapid-fire razor sharp notes from his guitar. These scorching June solos rocked me hard and caused me to visualize him as a superhero emitting sizzling electricity bolts from his guitar.
As far as the tunes go, we got some Johnny V. originals, some instrumental jams based on covers ("Guilded Splinters," "Spoonful," and a ridiculous "3rd Stone from the Sun" featuring Wood using a glass slide on his bass), and some stuff that I am not afraid to admit I did not recognize. The encore was a cover of the Meters’ "Chicken Strut."
The audience and band were quite relaxed for this intimate show, creating a warm atmosphere and substantial comfort level. Basically, it was yet another fulfilling night of music at the Old Point Bar with Johnny Vidacovich and his talented friends.
Billy Thinnes
JamBase New Orleans Correspondent
Go See Live Music!
|
