Greyboy Allstars - Live

Wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one. Knew of Karl Denson from some jams with the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic. So I tried it and I really liked it. Good funky jazz-rock. I don't have too much other frame of reference to compare to; they are very unique, and quite good.

As many have mentioned, this is only a taste of what you will get when you see GBA live. This was recorded in their earlier days of touring(1999) and the group has evolved alot since then (What Happened to TV? is a whole new feel). This is also not an entire set list, just some select (often cover) tunes. The tight ryhthm section and Karl Denson's smashing horn lines are amazing. Being a sax player myself, this music appeals more to the jazz/fusion musicians out there, not your ordinary listener. The solos don't get old as they trade nicely between Elgin Park on guitar, Robert Walter on keys, and Denson on alto/tenor/flute. The CD is high energy the whole way. The only way to truly experience GBA is to see them live. They are keeping the funk/soul/groove sound alive. Go see them at Jazzfest!

is it really necessary to take minute-long solos in every song? Really? If you like your solos long-winded and lacking in destination, and your lyrics trite (Get a Job???), check these guys out. If you actually plan on listening to the music you buy, skip it.

The Greyboy Allstars come out with a take no prisoners, old school slab of funked up jazz on Hot Dog, which allows everyone a chance to be front and center. This almost perfect opening sets a high mark, too high it turns out. Freshman 10 takes the quintet down a more soulful avenue, highlighted by sparkling keyboards.

The first signs of trouble crop up in Get a Job and daunt the overall recording in the excesses of Tenor Man and an awful adaptation of Check Out Your Mind (perhaps explaining the stunning remake of the Mayfield gem that Karl Denson throws down on "The Bridge").

Happy Friends goes on for too long without ever getting exactly where you want it to, but for the most part the rest of the tracks perk along nicely, punctuated by cool solos, classic riffs and snippets, and underpinned by a solid rhythm section.

There is plenty of energy and talent here, but sometimes the jamming and stretching get too thin for the material.

I recently went to a Karl Denson's Tiny Universe show at the Alabama Theatre, which in my opinion is one the most elegant venues in the South East. It was the best concert I have ever been to. Even if the Derek Trucks Band, one of my favorites, hadn't played at all, it still would have been at the top of my list. For those of you who do not know, Karl played the saxaphone and flute in Greyboy Allstars. I did not expect the concert to be half as good as it was, mostly because Karls Studio albums, which i have, aren't half as good as the show. Don't get me wrong, the studio albums are amazing, but seeing Karl Denson live is like having a religious experience. After the show I had a hard time listening to his studio work. Although his recent release The Bridge hints at what the show is like, it doesn't quite cut it. That's when my friend turned me on to the Greyboy Allstars. This is as close as it gets to a Karl Denson show (since he hasn't produced a live album). This CD is still a small step down from seeing them live, but it is as good as a CD could possibly get.

If you like the Allstars, you'll love em live. Less produced and more engergy. If you like Grant Green, Funk, Galactic, etc. you will love these guys.

Listening to this album puzzled me. I went into it ...backwards, I liked Greyboy's later stuff, so I figured I'd check out this band. I was disappointed. This is really groovy and the musicians aren't bad, but it's like one of those Jam band things. I don't mind jam bands, but their sound is too loosely wrought for me. And there is a little too much noodling with instruments that seems a little aimless. If you like the Greyboy Allstars, you will probably like this. But if you are buying this for Greyboy, don't.

I gave this CD a very generous four stars simply because the band is very tight and they lay down a VERY solid groove. My only complaint is that the songs aren't really that diverse, they all revolve around simple blues scales and don't really leave the realm of the penetonic minor. Their skill does make up for it though and that is what makes this a worthwhile album to own. The solos are passionate and soulful but the actual songs lack diversity. But I still like this album and recomend it to anyone who just wants some funky stuff to listen to.