Music on the Web (UK)

Webmaster: Len Mullenger

[ Jazz index ] [Nostalgia index]  [ Classical MusicWeb ] [ Gerard Hoffnung ]

MACEO PARKER roots revisited ARTHAUS DVD 100 194 Crotchet   Up 'N' Down East Street Southwick In Articulate Speech of the Heart Peace Fugue Cold Sweat Children's World Everywhere is Out of Town Doin' It to Death Maceo Parker - Alto Pee Wee Ellis - Tenor Fred Wesley - Trombone Rodney Jones - Guitar Larry Goldings - Organ Jim Madison - Drums

Maceo Parker spent many years in the backing group of Soul Singer James Brown, along with colleagues on this DVD, Alfred 'Pee Wee 'Ellis and Fred Wesley. Maceo formed his band when Brown was imprisoned in 1990.

The showmanship of his years with Brown is in evidence here and the band exhibits more of it then your average jazz outfit, but you can't work in an environment for years, without picking up some of the tricks! Let us make no mistake here, these guys can play, each one is an accomplished musician and the band has a nicely balanced ensemble sound. The music is jazz/funk, but as the title implies there is no doubt where the roots are. Members of the band contribute all the tunes and everyone is featured during the performance, Larry Golding's organ work gives a solid foundation without tending to overpower. Maceo Parker has obviously strong jazz roots and I found this DVD well worth the 58 minutes it takes to listen to it.

D V Mather
Don Mather is a saxophone player and Bandleader in Coventry