Galactic hit the stage Wednesday night for their first of four sold out nights at Brooklyn Bowl with an incredible offering of four singers, yet played one of their more instrumental sets of recent years. Maggie Koerner, their lead vocalist of the past year or so, got only one song mid set, Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady. “ Cyril Neville carried the bulk of the vocals, commanding the stage on Rush’s “Working Man,” Meters’ classics “No More Okey Doke” and “Africa,” as well as some less usual numbers for Galactic and Cyril. Glen David Andrews, who was the opener with his own band, joined Galactic for two songs including the powerful “You Don’t Know,” his song recorded with Galactic and released on their Ya Ka May album as well as his own new Redemption. And trombonist Corey Henry, who is now a sixth steady member of Galactic, led on “Ooh Nah Nay.”
Opening with “Cinemascope” from the album From the Corner to the Block, Galactic never let up, only varying the rhythm, style, and instrumentation on their brand of funk-rock, each song or mini-set building and resolving before switching direction. The set featured solos from each member; drummer Stanton Moore began one solo banging his tambourine on his kit, brought it to its frenzied climax only to trade his choice of hammer to brush sticks, begin again and after another crescendo he swapped out to drum sticks. Always generous with their stage, Galactic showcased other players besides the singers, bringing out Andrew’s band leader James Martin to solo on sax and offering guitar lead on two songs to 11-year old Brandon Niederauer, almost a regular at Brooklyn Bowl with jam bands these days, who soloed with an ability and ease beyond his dozen years. He seemed momentarily flustered by a broken string only to quickly adjust as though he’d done that on stage a thousand times. Galactic never fails to deliver a great show; while many left disappointed with the limited role of Koerner who is billed for all four shows, one can’t really be disappointed with a stellar 19-song, two hour set.
Thursday’s show will feature Corey Glover (of Living Color), their last steady guest vocalist and be supported by the High and Mighty Brass Band! Friday and Saturday, Koerner should get more stage time and the band is supported by Trampled Under Foot and The Filthy Six, all of whom should get some time on stage with Galactic. Tickets are sold out, but Brooklyn Bowl has a great policy of holding a few tickets back for fans willing to show up early the day of, so don’t let that be your excuse for missing Galactic, a band in its prime that continues to evolve and deliver.
