Lee Fields at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]
If you’re a fan of soul or funk music, you’ve probably heard Maceo Parker play … even if you don’t have any of his solo albums. After all, his sax play is also over James Brown most famous recordings. “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag”, “I Got You (I Feel Good”), “Sex Machine”, “Cold Sweat” … yup … that saxophone solo? That sound that’s a building block of funk music? That’s Maceo. That’s his sound.
What’s that you say? You’re not a James Brown fan? What about Parliament-Funkadelic, Keith Richards, Red Hot Chili Peppers, De La Soul, Prince, Deee-Lite or Living Colour? Well, he’s played on their records too. Point? The man is an integral part of music history. Perhaps, one of the most prolific sidemen in the history of music. But let’s not get it twisted. His solo albums are pretty damn good too. I was excited to have the opportunity to watch this saxophone legend play up close at the Beach Ball Festival. I was ready to get funky and to shake my groove thing.
Maceo and his band brought their musicality and funk to the stage. Maceo not only played like the legend he is known to be, but he also brought a level of showmanship that could only come with years of seasoning. His set seemed to cover the entire the breadth of his career (as a solo artist and sideman), touching on a few James Brown classics and even incorporating a tribute to one his greatest influences, Ray Charles, during which Maceo donned a pair of sunglasses. He gave time to each of his players to allow them to shine on their instruments, proving that each was capable of holding their own, but at the end of the day, as the sun set into the Pacific, it was Maceo who shined the most.
Maceo Parker performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]Maceo Parker performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]Maceo Parker and his band performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]Maceo Parker performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]Maceo Parker performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]Maceo Parker performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]
Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]
Lee Fields has been doing his thing for over 40 years, but I only got really familiar with his music this year. A work associate was selling some LPs in his collection, and while I was looking through his rack, he pulled out Lee Fields LP “Problems”. He assured me that it was an excellent listen, and I trusted him. I’m so glad I did.
When I played “Problems” on my record player, I was immediately immersed in some deep, soulful funk that I was embarrassed to realize I was unfamiliar with. “Problems” was released in 2002, and I realized that I was over 10 years late to the party … but as they say, “better late than never”.
I found out later that he was scheduled to perform at the Troubadour in support of his most recent album “Faithful Man”, but was saddened to discover that the show had sold out. I didn’t see any tickets for sale on second hand ticket brokers websites, so I can only assume that those who were lucky enough to snag tickets, were keeping them for themselves. My extreme loss. Thankfully, for my sake, he was scheduled to perform at the Beach Ball Festival.
Critics compare Lee Fields to artists like Wilson Pickett and James Brown, but those critics should really just focus on what Lee Fields brings to the current music scene. Perhaps, if Lee’s latest albums were released back in the hey day of soul music (i.e. the 60’s), he may have been talked about in the same breath with the soul stars of that time. But, they weren’t. Rather, the albums are part of the current music scene, and they are diamonds in the rough. Current artists, and popular music, don’t make albums like Lee Fields. There are only a handful of artists today (Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley, to name a few) that provide modern day music fans with the kind of throwback soul that existed back in soul’s hey day. That kind of music is unique in today’s musical landscape, and should be judged on their own merits. Just my thoughts …
Lee Fields brought his brand of retro-soul to the stage, and knocked the audience out. Dressed in his bright red, yellow and blue, plaid blazer, he brought an infectious energy to the stage that the crowd couldn’t help but feel. Interacting with the crowd, strutting and dancing back and forth across the stage, swooning and belting the lyrics to his music, his performance was the embodiment of soul music, and he had me smiling dimple to dimple throughout the whole set.
My “Problems” LP signed by Lee Fields!
After his performance, I head back to the back stage area with the hopes of meeting Mr. Fields. Some people may think that I take my music too seriously, but I felt compelled to bring along my copy of the “Problems” LP in case I was lucky enough to meet him to get it signed. The soul stars must have been lined up, because as soon as I made my way back, Mr. Fields was snapping some pictures with a photographer for the event. I got him to sign my LP and snap a picture, told him how much I enjoyed the show and wished him the best for the rest of the tour.
Mr Fields, terrific set. The pleasure was all mine.
Me and Lee Fields.
Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Lee Fields in repose at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]
I LOVE soul music. I listen to all genres, but if I had to guess, I’d venture to guess that probably a third of my music collection (iTunes indicates that I have 19,452 songs that last 54.4 days) consists of soul tracks and about half of my vinyl collection consists of soul LPs. From Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse, Marvin Gaye to D’Angelo, I have a thing for soul music. Period.
When I heard that KCRW, in association with the Echo/Echoplex, was having a Soul/Reggae Festival, I was excited. As soon as I saw the line-up, I bought tickets. The Bay Area soul duo, Myron and E; The prolific and enduring Lee Fields; one of the architects of Funk, Maceo Parker; the hippie with soul, Allen Stone; and the former rapper turned soul-man, Aloe Blacc: I knew and respected all of these artists and there was no way I was going to miss out on this full day of soul music. I bought an “early bird” VIP ticket which only cost me $45, and my Saturday, September 21st was set. Below is a list of the artists whose performances I had the pleasure of catching. Click through on their names to read my thoughts, see pictures and watch performance snippets. If there is a “(pending)” notice next to the name, follow my blog, twitter (@methodman13) or Instagram (@methodman13) for updates. Hey…. these entries just don’t write themselves! LOL.
Myron & E at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Myron & E are a soul duo based in the Bay Area. They are currently signed to one of my favorite independent labels, Stones Throw, so even though I wasn’t too familiar with their catalog, I was relatively sure I would be pleased with their music.
The Stones Throw website introduces the band as follows: “The vocal duo is something of a rarity. There have been countless solo stars, trios, quartets and quintets, but the pairing of equally talented singers isn’t nearly as common. Sam and Dave, Ashford and Simpson, the Righteous Brothers and the Everly Brothers comprise a short list of standouts. Enter Myron & E.” A tall order to live up to, for sure, but I’m willing to bet that the Stones Throw folk know what they’re co-signing on.
They had the earliest set in the day so the crowd hadn’t reached critical mass yet, but they had their die-hard fans in the trenches, wearing their screen-print Myron & E T-shirts, and they performed with the type of gusto to satisfy their own, and to drawn in new fans. Half way through their set E mentioned it was Myron’s birthday, and the crowd joined in on an impromptu singing of “Happy Birthday”.
It was a solid set to establish the “soul” mood for the rest of the day, though at times I felt that some of the vocal tuning was a bit off, which I could attribute to the blazing midday sun, but it was good enough want me to follow them on Facebook so to keep up with their music and see how their sound develops. You should too.
They are touring domestically and throughout Europe throughout the fall, so check them out when they are in your neck of the woods.
Myron & E at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]Myron of Myron & E at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]E of Myron of Myron & E at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]
I remember the day I first heard Laura Mvula sing (January 18th, 2013) because I was so amazed by what I heard that I immediately posted a blog entry about it. I kept an eye (and ear) on her music and would post additional blog entries about some of her other songs (“That’s Alright” and “Jump Right Out”) because I was enthralled with her sound and excited about her debut album “Sing To The Moon”.
Laura Mvula’s music cannot be easily classified, as it is a sound that frankly defies stylistic categorization. As allmusic.com proffers, Laura’s music is “rooted in decades-old forms of gospel, jazz, R&B, and, most deeply, orchestral pop . Almost all of the material is as serious and as refined as it is majestic, with vocal showcases and hushed-belted-hushed-belted dynamics galore.” I agree with the assessment, and would even boil it down simply as classy and sophisticated, orchestral neo-soul music. Some seriously good, grown folk sounds for those who appreciate musicality and message in their music.
I was ecstatic when I found out that Laura was scheduled to perform April 16, 2013 at the Bootleg Theater, and I immediately snapped up tickets. As fate would have it, however, I was asked to speak at my Alma Mater that same week, and to my dismay, I had to give my tickets up. As a small consolation, I received my copy of Laura’s debut on vinyl (a UK export that has an amazing recording of Stevie Wonder’s “Something Out of The Blue”) and for the next few months listened to it whenever I needed to set my mind and soul at ease.
I received a notice (thank you social media!) that Laura was to do another round of touring in the United States with a stop in Los Angeles September 17th, and I agains purchased tickets to her show. This time, though, I made sure I had no conflicting appointments.
Laura’s show was simply amazing. Me and my friends were able to get up to the very front of the venue for the performance, and as fate would have it, Laura’s keyboard was basically in front of us, and thus we were privileged to have Laura performing no more than 5 yards from us for a majority of the show. I could see her every breath and read the emotions on her face with every lyric. It was a beautiful experience. A moving experience. During the most tender part of the concert, when Laura sang “Diamonds” and “Father, Father” back to back, you could feel the audience release a collective sigh following the last note of “Father, Father”. I did not have to look around to know that there were some in the audience tearing up because … truth be told … I was busy dabbing the corners of my eye as well.
My anticipation for new music from her is at an all time high. My commitment to see her perform live again has been verified. An amazing concert by an amazing artist. Her performance at the El Rey has a spot in my top 10 concert performances of the year. Nuff’ said.
Setlist:
Like The Morning Dew
Let Me Fall (not in the album)
Flying Without You
She
Is There Anybody Out There?/ One Love (Bob Marley& The Wailers cover)
Sing to the Moon
Diamonds
Father, Father
Green Garden
That’s Alright
Make Me Lovely (Encore)
Laura Mvula at the El Rey Theatre 9/17/13Laura Mvula at the El Rey Theatre 9/17/13Laura Mvula at the El Rey Theatre 9/17/13Laura Mvula at the El Rey Theatre 9/17/13Laura Mvula at the El Rey Theatre 9/17/13
Every year, since 1999, the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro holds a Lobster Festival where families can enjoy mouth watering, freshly cooked Lobster, in a carnival like setting, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I’ve been before, but when I did, I went for the food, and not the entertainment. Not this year. When I saw that Dead Sara was slated to headline the Saturday evening entertainment, I decided that I would head out to San Pedro, eat some lobster, check out some new music, and watch one of the hardest rocking, female fronted bands in music today crush it.
Click through the name of the act below to read my thought, see some pictures and watch some video:
My parents raised me on classical music, and having spent years learning how to play the piano and violin, and playing in a my high school’s orchestra, I have a great appreciation for orchestral music and sounds. The Section Quartet is a Los Angeles based band consisting of a cello (Richard Dodd), viola (Lauren Chipman) and two violins (Eric Gorfain and Daphne Chen). They have been performing since 1998 and their music consists of covers of popular rock songs.
Their music served as the perfect soundtrack for the late afternoon at the port, with patrons of the festival, sprawled out on blankets on the lawn in front of the stage, soaking up with last bits of sunlight as the sun set into the Pacific; their stomachs working to digest all of the Lobster consumed. Their classical renditions of popular rock songs the band performed was fun to listen too and was a good appetizer for what was to come the rest of the evening.
The Section Quartet/ (c) Derrick K. Lee, Esq.The Section Quartet/ (c) Derrick K. Lee, Esq.The Section Quartet/ (c) Derrick K. Lee, Esq.The Section Quartet/ (c) Derrick K. Lee, Esq.
Brothers Sam and Django Stewart are legacy in the music industry. After all, their father is Dave Stewart. You know … Half of that really popular band known as the Eurythmics? Yeah. I’d put some money on it that they have music in their blood.
It was the first time I had heard of the band, so I had no expectations or preconceived notions about their music. When doing some research on the band, I read reviews that stated that “’the Cold War Kids with the ambition and control of Arcade Fire’ Nightmare & The Cat is all we love about indie rock: Rough and ready drive with a blues edge.” Hmm…. The band was greeted warmly to the stage, with their female member receiving a few cat-calls from the more inebriated members of the audience.
Musically speaking, the band’s sound was quite polished. Each of the songs were very well written, complex even. I could see the Cold War Kids comparison, but I felt that Nightmare’s sound was a bit more polished. I would have said that they were more Muse than Cold War Kids.
They are currently signed to Capitol Records and have released an EP titled “Simple”. Currently on tour with Bastille, throughout September, you can catch them play at one of these venues.
Nightmare & The CatNightmare & The Cat. I’m assuming this is the cat.Nightmare & The Cat. The Stewart brothers.Nightmare & The Cat.
Deap Vally is a Los Angeles based rock band consisting of Lindsey Troy (guitar and vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums and vocals). From what has been written about them, the two met at a crochet class. Their music, however, is anything but pedestrian. Following the path that the The White Stripes and The Black Keys blazed, Deap Vally’s sound is a mix of hard rock and blues … only they do it a little sexier.
Dressed in halter tops and short jean shorts, they took the stage to even more drunken cat calls than the female in the prior act was subject to. The two girls, visually speaking, at least from my vantage point, couldn’t have been more different. Lindsey was petit and blond. Julie was tall and redheaded. They both looked rock and roll, and they proved it. The cat calls stopped as soon as they started playing.
Deap Vally’s setlis.
Raw and gritty, loud and grimy, and filled with attitude, while watching the rocking duo perform, it was hard for me to not oogle. I was particularly fixated on the drummer. With her curly red hair thrashing around her set, and her long leg stomping the high hat, I’ll have to say that a dirty thought may have crossed my mind here and there.
Some may say that Deap Vally’s style of music may have already been done, but that didn’t seem to bother their fans, who made sure that they told all “newbies” before the set that the band was really good.
I liked their set and wouldn’t mind catching them play a smaller, more intimate gig in Los Angeles.
Dead Sara: THE reason why I went to Lobster Fest at the Port of Los Angeles in the first place. I saw Dead Sara at the El Rey earlier this year, and their show kicked ass. In fact, it’s probably in my top 5 for “best shows of the year” in terms of sheer, overall awesomeness. My only regret from that show was that I wasn’t able to get a decent picture of Siouxie Medley shredding on her guitar.
Dead Sara
Objective for their Lobster Fest gig? Snap that elusive picture while avoiding an elbow to the chest in the pit. LOL. I met up with members of the The DEADicated and joined them upfront against the railing. One of the members had been there since noon so as to ensure getting a front row spot. Now, THAT’s dedication.
Dead Sara have been in the studio recording new tracks for their next album and everybody there knew it. A lot of the conversations before their set consisted of “What do you think they’ll be playing?” and “Do you think they’ll play any of their new stuff?”. The anticipation was high. Extremely high.
As Dead Sara took the stage to set up, I shouted, “I love you Siouxie!” then ducked behind another member of the DEADicated. I noticed Siouxie look up from tuning her guitar, but I didn’t point myself out. Talk about total, juvenile crush move there. Actually getting embarrassed thinking about it. LOL. I noticed to my left that there was a young girl and her father. I warned them that the crowd up front may start to get a little rowdy when the music got more intense, and told them that I’d do my best to make sure that his daughter wasn’t trampled.
Dead Sara setlist.
The set started, and Emily started with the more mellow “Sorry For It All”, but as soon as the guitar lick for “Test On My Patience” kicked in next, the crowd started to swell and get anxious. As soon as “Monumental Holiday” started, the moshing commenced. I’ll admit, it was kinda tough to take pictures, protect the little girl next to me, and mosh, but really, it’s hard to care when you love the music so much. After “Monumental Holiday”, Dead Sara unveiled, to the crowd’s delight, one of their new songs “Mona Lisa”. Two songs later they unveiled another named “Greaser”. Videos taken of each are immediately below:
After “Greaser”, I decided to leave my spot up front and see if I could get better shots elsewhere. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and by that time, the battery in my camera had expired. C’est la vie. I was able to get a few cool shots of band, and Siouxsie, but I still feel like I can get better with my Sony Cybershot. Well … looks like I’ll have to catch them again when they start gigging later this year. Ohhh, yeah … late November maybe? At least those are the rumors …
Sean Friday and Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara.Dead Sara’s Chris NullDead Sara’s Siouxsie MedleyEmily Armstrong and Sean Friday of Dead SaraSiouxsie Medley of Dead Sara
![Lee Fields at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05191.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05175.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05162.jpg?w=1075)
![Maceo Parker and his band performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05144.jpg?w=1075)
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![Maceo Parker performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [ig: @methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05188.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05096.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05132.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05119.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05136.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05118.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05082.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields performing at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05074.jpg?w=1075)
![Lee Fields in repose at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05140.jpg?w=1075)
![Myron & E at The Beach Ball Festiva 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05054.jpg?w=1075)
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![E of Myron of Myron & E at The Beach Ball Festival 9/21/13 [@methodman13]](https://musicofmymind14.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dsc05065.jpg?w=1075)
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