Show Reviews

To anyone who has doubted the strength of the music scene in the New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina era, prepare yourself for a new tidal wave of funk that has been defining a different generation while still remaining loyal to its roots.  Last Thursday night, fans were prescribed a heavy dose of jazz-funk fused with sax and brass elements, when Galactic brought “The Big Easy” to the Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia. 

Benefit shows with pre-determined guests are by nature a skewed perspective: neither the band, nor the guests are in their regular elements, so you hope for the best, knowing you’ll get some fun collaborations heavy on cursory pleasure and maybe not a lot of deep-digging.Kudos to moe., then, for bucking the trend. Their 20th anniversary tour opened with impressive aplomb at Roseland Ballroom Friday, and thanks in part to a mix of well-chosen, well-utilized co-conspirators, the band was fun, groovy, limber and exploratory, with nary a dull moment.

Twenty years ago on the way to Crested Butte, Left Hand String Band and the Salmonheads decided to join forces.  At that time they had no idea that it would last this long!  Hell, “had we known it would last 20 years, we would have picked a better name”,  Said Vince Hermann to the crowd of fans awaiting JAM packed night (pun indented)!   But for all the fans, there is no better name and no better sound than Leftover Salmon and the yell of Herman screaming into the night … “FESTIVAL!”