KELLER WILLIAMS | 03.02.07 | NEW YORK

Listen to Keller Williams on Rhapsody…

Words by: Martin Halo :: Images by: Rod Snyder

Keller Williams :: 03.02.07 :: The Nokia Theatre :: New York, New York

Keller Williams :: 03.02 :: New York

The aroma of hippie decadence descended upon New York’s Times Square as Keller Williams set up shop at the Nokia Theatre. Emerging into the spotlight to a soul jazz beat, guitar in hand, barefoot on an ornate rug, the Virginia-born virtuoso playfully warmed the audience with rhythmic slapping techniques, major-scale phrasing and ringing harmonics. Williams’ relaxed clothing perfectly complimented the casual demeanor of the jubilant capacity crowd, where dumbstruck teenagers stared in hypnotic, psychedelic fascination.

Williams launched into “People Watchin'” and got a significant audience response out of the line, “I’m a lucky man and I can say that I have friends in many places.” He effortlessly moved from the microphone to the looping board. Above all, what is most overwhelming is Williams’ ability to multitrack in a live setting. His layering of drums, bass, guitar, trumpet bursts and vocals resonated with tonal clarity, a true one-man band.

Keller Williams :: 03.02 :: New York

“Rainy Day” was next, offering raindrops falling on the video monitor that hung behind Keller. The monitor also gave the audience a closer glimpse at what was unfolding on stage. A cover of “Shakedown Street” followed and the air was filled with pungent spiritual intoxication as Williams sang, “Tell me this town ain’t got no heart? I can hear it beat out loud.” The first set concluded with a tease of Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and a cover of The Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House.”

The second set showcased tracks from Williams’ latest album, Dream, which featured guest appearances by Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Charlie Hunter, Jeff Sipe, Steve Kimock, The String Cheese Incident, and Bob Weir.

Keller Williams :: 03.02 :: New York

“It was a surreal experience just from the standpoint of being that guy dancing on the back of the lawn at Dead shows to recording music with Bob Weir,” says Williams. “I was stuck in that culture for a couple years,” he explained. “It was from the Grateful Dead that I then discovered jazz and bluegrass music.”

Over the course of the three-hour show, we were wowed by a calypso jam on marimbas, a Pet Sounds-inspired Theremin break, Bourbon Street horn rags and a “Novelty Song” focused around his Paul McCartney style bass. Keller is refreshingly charismatic in his humor and candor. He effortlessly spans that gap between live music junkies and technical music geeks with his unique craft.

Concertgoers range from high school students venturing into the big city to sweet coal miner’s daughters who stand side-by-side with working week professionals. The New York crowd pulsated in perfect rhythm to Keller’s bluegrass rendition of Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” that included a “Breakdown” tease which made the venue explode with the line, “I don’t know what I’ve been told, you never slow down, you never grow old.” After a 75-minute second set, Williams quickly reappeared for a “Celebrate Your Youth” encore before the midnight curfew.

JamBase | New York
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