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 Posted January 21st, 2012 05:52 PM IP   
Had a fabulous night at Hideaway last night where Johanna Harman guested with Tony O'Malley and friends, where yet another Bring back Kokomo legend Paddy McHugh (over from France) joining Frank Collins and Jo for that famous Kokomo vocal ensemble sound. Jo did a couple of things out front too, the groove is just something else with those guys - not least on 'I Can't Stand the Rain' and the ensemble piece 'Yes, We Can Can' was funky as...Tony in full Sly Stone vocal mode. Definitely the grooviest set of mutha funkers around, their feel is off the hook. Take a bow Steve Pearce, Ralph Salmins et co..another legendary funk foot drummer Glen Le Fleur was on stage swapping percussion and drum duties. If that wasn't enough we had 3 guitar players, Neil Hubbard from Joe Cockers Grease Band (they seriously don't make guitarists like Neil any more - he's like a white Cornell Dupree). the uber talented Californian Marty Townsend and the inimitable Adam Phillips, like Steve from Hamish Stuarts band (say no more). Not sure if something or somebody hurt Adam along the way but his playing is so mournful, so pained and so soulful...and such a beautiful sense of melody and tone - what a player! The whole thing was a masterclass in how to groove, the way the three guitar players worked with each other was eye opening, no ego, all economy, all finding the right little complimentary licks to fuel the groove. Jo was chucking solos at Adam and he was chucking across to the other guitarists - everyone playing for the team, not themselves. Seriously, any musicians, aspiring or otherwise, should go and watch this outfit in action, all superbly ring mastered by Tony with his own trademark piano 'time'. This needs to be properly captured on BBC quality BBC - this is history. There are a lot of decent and some very good musicians in this country..I'm lost count of how many times I've been told this guy is funky, or that guy can can groove. And I'm sure they can but I'm equally sure they can't groove like these guys groove. If Amercica has it's 'Little Feat', Canada 'The Band' or whatever well here in Britain we have a small pool of old school of players who play a signature form of groove that is unique to the players involved. These guys - and this trademark groove which is like no other - centres around Hamish Stuarts and Tony O Malley's band. It's brilliant, it's rare and it's precious...people go educate yourselves! x
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