http://www.guidelive.com/...m_id=62587

By PHIL BROWN / Special Contributor

Saxophonist Maceo Parker landed smack-dab in the middle of the popular soul-funk experiment when he joined James Brown's band in 1964.

Mr. Parker took a break from Mr. Brown's band in 1970, leaving to start Maceo and All the King's Men. Three years later, he rejoined the fold and helped to record a number of hits, including the No. 1 R&B smash "Cold Sweat."

In the wake of his double-album tribute to Ray Charles and James Brown, Roots & Grooves, Mr. Parker embarks on a cross-country jazz-funk tour that includes the House of Blues in Dallas.

Recently, Mr. Parker spoke to us by phone from his North Carolina residence.


When did you first develop an interest in music, and when did you start playing the saxophone?


When I was in school, I started playing in the marching band. With the marching band I got a lot of my experience. Then I started listening to Ray Charles. ... I started listening to Ray because of his voice, his great sound. And when I found out that he was blind, I was amazed. I listened to every new song that he recorded. When I heard Genius + Soul = Jazz, a great album, I was like, wow! When you hear this album, you'll really hear some great music. When I'm singing, I sing the way I feel the song. ... The way I sing is natural for me. I've been told that when I sing Ray's songs, from a distance, it sounds like him. But it's not conscious.

We had swagger playing in James' band, just being in that band at only 21 years old. It was like going straight from high school to the NBA. Unbelievable. James was at the top of the list at that time, and it was great to be able to contribute to that great sound.


Of the new breed of artists today, who do you like?


Oh, I like Usher. He's creative, sings and dances. He's one of the premier young artists today. He sings well and puts on a good show, like James. There are other good, young acts today. But James Brown was the consummate performer, singing and dancing, and even when he put on the robe and got on his knees during his shows, it was entertaining. Fans loved it.

Kids today need to make the music their own. If you have to make them practice, they probably won't do anything; however, if you have to tell them to stop practicing because it's time to eat, that's a good thing. They might do something with their music. It's a God-given talent.


Do you enjoy touring, and what was it like playing the famous Apollo Theater in New York?

Absolutely! I enjoy traveling a lot. Now, some performers don't like being on the road as much. It doesn't bother me. I like playing different crowds.

When my brother and I played the Apollo Theater with James, we knew that we were a part of something big. The crowds were huge, and, yeah, people would line up for blocks to get into the Apollo to see our show.

And when James did the Live at the Apollo album, it really heightened his credibility. That was such a big thing.

What was it like recording Roots & Grooves, and what future projects do you have planned?


I enjoyed making it because we had good musicians, and I plan to make a lot more music. Ray Charles was such a genius, and just to do his music is an honor. There are good songs on the album, and hopefully it will do well when it's released. I'm looking forward to performing those songs.

Whose music do you relax to, and since Motown was contemporary with James Brown in the 1960s, what did you think of the Detroit sound?

I listen to different artists when I relax: Freddie Hubbard's "Here's That Rainy Day," and Lee Morgan with Jimmy Smith on the organ, from the Sermon album. I really like listening to those artists. And, yeah, I love the Motown sound. For all of those musicians to come out of that one place is really amazing: Junior Walker, Diana Ross, Temptations, I love what they did over there.

Published in The Dallas Morning News: 02.22.08

Does anyone know if P showed up at the show last night?

Okay, I've checked into this and it seems that it's a rumor. Before and after the Maceo show (which was amazing BTW ) I spoke with various security folks, the HOB manager, a Dallas Morning News reporter who was there the night before too, and a Maceo Parker bandmember and they ALL said P was NOT there and it was Dave Chappelle who sang Happy Birthday to her.

After the show, I went to see Erykah at the Ghostbar (Biz Markie DJ'd and Talib Kweli and Dave Chappelle were there. Loads of silly fun!) and ran into an old homey of mine who was with her entourage. He also said Prince was not there last night. Maybe the people who said P was there were referring to Dave since he played Prince on TV. I dunno . . .

Anyway, great night of fun and "someone" did mention the possibility of a new 3121 in Minneapolis but don't be mad at me if it doesn't jump off.

http://www.guidelive.com/...422b9.html

Maceo Parker blisters, then soothes, at HOB

JAZZ REVIEW: Saxophonist also brings snazzy vocals


12:00 AM CST on Thursday, February 28, 2008

By PHIL BROWN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
pcharlesbrown@aol.com Phil Brown is a Dallas freelance writer.

The last time saxophonist Maceo Parker played Dallas was in 2006 as a featured performer with Prince, and they nearly rocked American Airlines Center from its foundation.

But on Wednesday evening, Mr. Parker lit up the House of Blues with a blistering exhibition of mostly horn-led tunes interspersed with soothing vocals. After a brief instrumental solo, Mr. Parker danced onto the platform like a 20-year-old and slid into "Off the Hook," a fierce up-tempo groove that set the stage for everything else.

At times, the intimate audience seemed overwhelmed just being in the same room with one of the recording industry's legends. The music was merely icing on the cake as some shouted, "Maceo, Maceo!"

The funk pioneer and his five-piece band and two singers doused the sprightly audience with a heavy dose of "To Be or Not to Be," a feisty tune with strong funk overtones, and a confluence of standard songs and selections from Roots & Grooves, the latest of his 15 solo albums.

Mr. Parker really got the crowd going when he changed the pace and gave a sensuous rendition of "My Love."

He flashed his trademark grin, expressing appreciation for supporting this much-anticipated rendezvous: "Don't you just love the band?"

Those who know Mr. Parker only as an instrumentalist probably were taken back by his exceptional vocal display, especially when he tore into "Licking Stick" and "Papa Don't Take No Mess."

"This is living history," exclaimed a first-time visitor to the downtown facility, referencing the funk man's affiliation with James Brown, Ray Charles and other musical luminaries. Mr. Parker has worked with and earned the respect of a who's who list of international recording artists such as Dave Matthews Band, George Clinton and Dave Koz.

Warm-up band Grand Pianoramax provided an interesting world-music twist to the long evening.

Thanks to the fact that Mr. Parker loves traveling, it'll likely be a year from now before the Dallas-Fort Worth area will experience another blockbuster gig from this ageless wonder.

Phil Brown is a Dallas freelance writer.

I checked TM and there are no dates listed for this tour. I sincerely hope that Maceo brings the funk to Chicago. I would love to see him put it down with his band.

bellanoche said:

No Chi-town but Minneapolis next week.

http://www.maceoparker.co...erary.html