Frenchy’s Fracas

General Info
Artist: The New Generation Big Band
Location: Melkweg, Amsterdam
When: 13 March 2007

Who?
Well, I didn’t know a lot about this band, but it sounded interesting so.. The band really is a big band: 12-man/woman brass section, percussionist, keyboards, drums and guitar. They mix up the big band sound of the different eras with blues, jazz and real R&B. They just released a new album, and this evening was the official launch.

The Show
The band took their time to warm up as a group; the first solos weren’t really that earth-shattering. I liked the way they tried to switch styles within songs, that’s quite a high watermark. My favorite song was their version of Al Jarreau’s Roof Garden.
Closing guest appearance from the talented Dutch hip-hop performers Pete Philly & Perquisite. Pete Philly has this energy that makes you pay attention; I’m guessing the guy has a reasonable chance of breaking through internationally.

Conclusion
Hmm, tough one: the band enjoyed their performance and that came across very well. During one song, they sussed the brass section and let the rest of the band play for a minute or so; that sounded much better than when the whole band was playing which is a point of concern if you’re a big band. Entertaining evening, nice venue.

Rating:

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General Info
Artist: Amy Winehouse
Location: Paradiso, Amsterdam
When: 09 February 2007

Who?
Well, read about this crazy lady here and I’ve reviewed her albums..
I’ve been yapping about this dame for quite a while, so now that I finally got a chance to see her perform, I took it with both hands and feet!

The Show
The thing started at 01:00 and let’s be honest, I’m not used to this anymore
But she did start on time, and she didn’t seem to be totally wasted, so what could go wrong? Well…
It’s just one little thing: she really doesn’t connect with her audience. Don’t get me wrong: she appreciates the applause and geniunely likes standing there on stage, but… there’s not a lot happening. The best bits were when she interacted with one of the backing singers (wow..)
Can she sing? Can she sing live? You bet your saltined @$$!! This dame does her songs seemingly effortlessly. If the frigging sounds system broke down, people’d still be able to hear her sing on the other side of the Channel.

Conclusion
I didn’t expect it to be a long show (cover price was low), but I still was left wanting more. She did most of the tracks of her current album and some from her 1st album, Frank. She definitely is a great singer and writer. Just wish she had more to convey to her public, it’s not that she’s not interested, it just doesn’t connect.
If she survives to make two more albums, I’ll gladly stand in line to see her perform again, hoping that Life and the Business has given her more strength to become a great live performer.

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General Info
Artist: The Roots
Location: Paradiso, Amsterdam
When: 22 November 2006

Who?
Well, read about the band here. And Search Youtube for some Roots Live

frenchy!
Not a band I really enjoy listening to.. Wait, what?!? Yep, I’ll explain: their CD’s don’t work for me; I know they’re an excellent band of incredible musicians, but.. The albums never attracted my attention. I did know that I’d kill someone’s granny’s kitten to see them live, though..

Hieronymus Fox
Well…this was D-DAY! To the Roots @Paradiso with my man Frenchy!
I have been a real Roots follower as from the early nineties. Especially their live album was really really top of the bill, so I was very very curious about this gig. Compared with their live album some members have left the group and their sound has changed slightly. You might say they have more identity now and The Roots have become a band. Off course ?uestlove and Blackthought are the soul of the band, but the sound is more consistent than some years ago.
Personally I think their latest album is the best they have done in some years.

The Show
frenchy!
What can I say? These guys are unbelievable! The opening: just rapper and drummer grabbing the crowd by the Unmentionables from the first second. Blackthought is a trained vocal talent. The set was great with plenty enough room for every band member to give us a solo (the bass was my fave). ?uestlove in his classic Dutch soccer team track suit ruled stage in a easy-going but strict manner. I was really amazed by the tight, very tight performance: these guys went from one song to the next without taking a breather and it all sounded so smooth, wow..
The encore was also wicked: anybody doing Jackson’s Smooth Criminal that way gets mucho bonus points.

Hieronymus Fox
The concert started off in a fierce tempo and volume. I was like a train going and going without delay. Funny thing… most of the songs were from the new album. What an energy, what a band! Unfortunately the sound was really too loud, so you could only hear parts of what he was rapping ’bout and the ears really where blown away by the noise and bass… A highlight was the percussion duet between ?uestlove and the percussion player…
The second part of the concert was even better! A long (a little too long…) version of You Got Me with surprising vocals of the guitar player who was making a George Benson meets Hendryx happening of it. After that the audience was blown away with fragments of classics like Rapper’s Delight, some real hip hop standards and…. I need Love form LL Cool J. But also Michael Jackson (Smooth Criminal) and Justin Timberlake’s Sexyback! Wow….
These guys were unbelievable.. I have been @Paradiso before but this was special…
Everybody went crazy.. the Roof was on fire!

Conclusion
frenchy!
I like the way I set out to go to this concert: almost no references or impressions, only the absolute belief that I’d be in for a treat.
And I was right, oh boy, was I right!
This band takes rap to the mature level of musical craftmanship and I’ll be checking out their tour dates for a second Roots experience!

Hieronymus Fox
I have heard that earlier concerts have even been better. So what!… guaranteed quality! CU next year guys! And eeeh… Mr. Paradiso? Would you please please please be so kind to lower the volume a little next time? Thanks from my ears!

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Yep, today’s the day: this evening I’ll be in Amsterdam at Paradiso to enjoy The Roots performing live!
Life can be quite nice, you know?

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ehm.. I didn’t get to go to this gig, but Hieronymus Fox was so kind to send me his review..

Thanks to Frenchy’s back this was a solo trip.   I was very curious for the live gig of this legend, who became worldfamous through Gangstarr. This was one of the first hiphop acts combining raw street hip hop with bebop in the late eighties and nineties.

In the early nineties Guru released the first of the three Jazzmatazz albums. In this formula the hiphop bebop fusion was less raw and more jazzy/commercial. A large variety of artists starred on the albums: Donald Byrd, Me’Shell, Jamiroquai, Ronny Jordan, Bilal etc. 

Big ? for me was what to expect from this artist which hasn’t released an album for some years and has only been in the news recently because of the fact that Gangstarr is really really history now. Furthermore, how would the typical Jazzmatazz formula turn out live?

Fashionably late, the concert started with some Jazzmatazz classics. Guru looked fit and energetic. Line up: sax player, drummer, bass player, DJ, female vocalist, and a co-rapper (Solar).

To my humble opinion in a live Jazzmatazz performance, the music should have a prominent role. Unfortunately this was not the fact and both sax and vocalists volume was way too low. Combined with the co-rapper- formula (of which I am not a big fan) and several Gangstarr classics this was more a hiphop than Jazzmatazz gig… Furthermore nothing special was added to the Jazzmatazz songs. So they all sounded… flat.

In short (auch… pain in my heart) I can only conclude the Jazzmatazz formula and Guru are overdue in 2006. 

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