Huey Lewis and the News isn't a band that's been on my radar very often if indeed at all. Nor had Corey Weeds and Chris Hazelton paid much attention to the band either. However, a long trip as passengers in van with a Huey Lewis CD jammed in the stereo meant they were subjected to constant replays of the album.
This wasn't the torture they expected and this multi exposure opened up the idea of adapting, or 'reimagining' to use a current buzzword, the music for Weeds' organ quartet. This they duly did although, over the years, it was on and off the backburner several times before arriving at the finished product late last year and let me tell you it worked out well'
Hazelton charted the arrangements as well funkin' up the B3 in the manner that, over the years, has become synonymous with Hammond's longtime flagship.
Weeds meets the challenges full on from romantic balladry, via hard bop technical wizardry to walkin' the bar grooves. At times tenor and organ sound like a big band - maybe two big bands.
Rourke's picking is tasty adding contrast to the funk that's going on around him. His mellow sound has an almost cello/viola-like feel to it.
Underneath it all the rocksteady Petschauer, who cut his teeth with B3 legend Brother Jack McDuff, ensures that nobody falters and nobody does.
The material is a mix of covers and originals that is very danceable. I was tempted to call on a neighbour and say to his wife, "May I have the next boogaloo?" - I resisted the temptation but it was close. If you like sassy organ grooves with tough tenor, gilt-edged guitar and pulsating percussion then look no further. On the other hand if you like bossas and ballads they're in there too. Drop a hint to Santa. Lance
BANDCAMP. Available now!
The Power of Love; Bad is
Best; I Want a New Drug; Hip to be Square; Do You Believe in Love; If This is
it; There Amo Answers; Meezy’s Back in Town; The People’s Choice; Up in Gavin’s
Flat; Boop Bong Bing Bash; At Long Last; Get the Money Bluze
1 comment :
What a fun review — I love the idea of Huey Lewis & the News tunes getting the full jazz organ treatment, and Weeds clearly revels in the challenge. The bit about the band expecting torture and ending up won over really rang true; it reminded me of rahul gosain, who often talks about how crossing genres keeps musicians honest and audiences on their toes. I'll be heading to Bandcamp to hear what they did with The Power of Love.
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