JERRY HARRISON & ADRIAN BELEW – REMAIN IN LIGHT TOUR
Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew bring their “Remain In Light” tour to College Street Music Hall with Cool Cool Cool as direct support.
The night started great. I finally enticed one of the best concert photographers in the area, Rich Russo, to shoot this show. I haven’t been to College Street for a while and I definitely missed this amazing venue. The evening started on a high note. I didn’t know much about Cool Cool Cool but it seems they are the remains of the currently defunct Turkuaz. Seven members of Turkuaz decided to reform as the funkified Cool Cool Cool. And I’m glad they did.
The band is comprised of sultry vocalists Shira Elias and Sammi Garrett. Chris Brouwers, Josh Schwartz and Greg Sanderson make up the dynamic horn section. Occasionally, Schwartz also handles lead and backing vocals. Craig Brodhead governs the guitar duties while Michelangelo Carubba manges the drums. All seven members are spectacular and as an ensemble, they blew the house down with their spunky and fiery sound. Cool Cool Cool was joined by Julie Slick on bass and Yahuba Garcia-Torres on percussions.
They opened with the Swatkins & The Positive Agenda cover, “Gotta Give It Away”. Right from the start, Cool Cool Cool captured the soul of the audience. Their funky grooves and brazen arrangements were full of rich intensity. Elias and Garrett glided with a smooth sexuality. Schwartz’s vocals were engaging. The entire band ripped into this stupendous tempo that immediately enlivened the crowd. “It Ain’t About You” and “When I’m With You” followed and once again the band slammed the crowd with audacious rhythms. The dual vocals from Elias and Garrett were wonderful. They fed off each others energy perfectly. Their provocative moves enhanced the total experience.
“I Didn’t Know How You Do It But You Do” and “No Beginning” added to the venues excitement. By now College Street was enthralled. Throughout their set, many of the musicians performed instrumental solos. Greg Sanderson’s sax and Craig Brodhead’s guitar solos were quite memorable. Cool Cool Cool closed out with a new song, “Walk Of Life” and a rousing rendition of “Try Try Try”. The band was absolutely exciting and brazen. I instantly became a huge fan.
When Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew hit the stage, the throng let out a mammoth roar. This tour honors the 40th year anniversary of Talking Heads’ monumental album, Remain In Light. The release was a turning point in the seminal pop/rock sound of the groundbreaking group . Remain In Light wove a aural tapestry with elements of hip-hop, funk, new wave and world music all intertwined to create a fresh new sound. In addition, this was the last show of the current leg of the tour, so everyone knew this one was special.
To further enhance the evening, the members of Cool Cool Cool played double duty as Harrison and Belew‘s backup band. They started off the festivities with a massive version of “Psycho Killer”. The packed house erupted, loudly singing along with the band. You could see the enjoyment of the moment on Harrison and Belew‘s faces. They knew they were in complete control. This audience was ready for a good time.
“Crosseyed & Painless”, “House In Motion”, “I Zimbra” and “Drugs” came next and the crowd was feeling the heat. When they got to “Born Under Punches”, the band’s choreography was infectious with the members of Cool Cool Cool moving like rotating zombies. It completely enhanced the overall vibe of the music. Subsequently, the band flowed into “Cities”, Jerry Harrison’s “Rev It Up”, “Slippery People” and King Crimson’s “Theja Hun Ginjeet”.
Harrison and Belew ended the night on a strong note. “Life During Wartime” flowed into “Once In A Lifetime”. College Street was in rapture. “Take Me to the River” finished the main set. The ensemble encored with a spirited “The Great Curve”.
What a show! What a great night! The music was stupendous and everyone went home happy and spent.
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