ajf67 Posted May 28, 2003 Report Posted May 28, 2003 Just curious if anybody has or plans to see Lou Donaldson at the Village Vanguard this week. I'm going on Saturday night, and would love a preview if anyone is willing to provide one. He's one of my favorites, and I've never seen him live. Quote
Dan Gould Posted May 28, 2003 Report Posted May 28, 2003 Expect a lot of swing, soul and bop and some time-worn but always entertaining stage patter. Oh, and expect at least one vocal, most likely "Whiskey Drinking Woman". Quote
Soul Stream Posted May 28, 2003 Report Posted May 28, 2003 some of the best and most entertaining music you'll ever see imho. i'm EXTREMELY jealous! Quote
Jim Alfredson Posted May 28, 2003 Report Posted May 28, 2003 Does he have the Turbanator with him and Peter Bernstein? Quote
ajf67 Posted May 28, 2003 Author Report Posted May 28, 2003 I don't know who's with him, it only says "Lou Donaldson Quartet" Also, I'm another refugee from the Blue Note webpage, and as I browse through the various posts, it's good to see some familiar names. Quote
Soul Stream Posted May 28, 2003 Report Posted May 28, 2003 It's his working band these days...Lonnie, Fukushi Tainaka on drums (a fucking killer drummer who hung with Philly Joe a lot, he's serious as a heart attack. He's also been Lonnie's drummer of choice for the last 10 years or so.) and Randy Johnston on guitar. This is a hard working unit and the best organ unit you'll EVER hear. See them now, or just lie about it to your friends 20 years from now. . Quote
ajf67 Posted June 2, 2003 Author Report Posted June 2, 2003 I went to the Lou Donaldson 11:00 set on Saturday night at the Village Vanguard, and I thought I'd share my thoughts on it. Soul Stream, you were dead on about the band and about it being some of the most entertaining music I've heard in a while. The band was really together and they supported Donaldson flawlessly. Each had well-played and extensive solos. My girldfriend and I particularly liked Lonnie Smith on the organ. I imagine the extensive soloing was partly designed to let them showcase their talents and partly designed to give Lou some breaks (exactly how old is he?). Donaldson tended to lead off the songs and then let the group jam for an extended period before joining in again. No surpise there. Highlights for me included "Gravy Train" and "Midnight Creeper," and a finale that I do not know the name of. On the finale, Lou really let loose on an extended improvisation that brought the house down (well, actually up, as in out of their seats). If anyone had any doubts as to his still being able to cut it, they should have been erased after that. We also got two highly entertaining vocals and a ton of great stage banter. Lou did "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman" and "It Was A Dream," and the crowd ate up both of them. All in all, a great jazz show. Quote
Soul Stream Posted June 2, 2003 Report Posted June 2, 2003 The show stopper was no doubt "Cherokee." Did the band lay out and let Lou go off? If so, it was probably was.... He kills that. To hear Lou play "Cherokee" by himself is as close to Charlie Parker as I'll ever come. Amazing. I LOVE LOU!!!!! Quote
bertrand Posted June 2, 2003 Report Posted June 2, 2003 Even on the records, Lou often takes the last solo. Bertrand. Quote
ajf67 Posted June 5, 2003 Author Report Posted June 5, 2003 Soul Stream, On the last tune, the band did lay out and let Lou go alone. He was simply fantastic. What a great show. Quote
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