The Big Man rocks the homeland!
11/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great CD, capturing the energy of the series of shows the Big Man and his band played last fall at the historic Stone Pony. I was lucky enough to be there for all the shows, and listening to this CD rekindles the experience in my mind. These shows were performed in early September of 2001, the recorded performances recalling the energy and joy that were in abundance in those days, before we as a country lost our innocence a few days later. Listening to this CD reminds me of happier times - like a portable mood elevator!The Big Man believes in putting on a big show. And to do that, he assembled a big band - the Temple of Soul - with a fiery female fiddle player (Randi Fishenfeld) and a lean mean guitarist/vocalist (Billy Livesay) sharing the spotlight. Backed by a ferocious rhythm section (drummer Keith Cronin and bassist Steve Argy) that is topped off with some intense Latin percussion (Tomas Diaz), Clarence fills out the stage by flanking it with twin keyboard players (Paul Pettitt and John Colby) and none other than New York's "Uptown Horns" as his horn section. Together they put out a whole lotta sound!The songs are a mix of old and new, including a couple of Bruce's songs to which Clarence has added his own unique flavor. You know the Big Man can blow some mean saxophone. But for those who haven't heard Clarence SING, this is a chance to hear the big, deep, emotional VOICE of the Big Man - somewhere between Barry White and Isaac Hayes. Sweeeeeeeet!I know Clarence stays plenty busy with his "other band," but I hope we'll hear a lot more from THIS powerful, multicultural band. There was a lot of music on that stage, and this CD just makes me hungry for more!"
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1