(originally posted on
http://launch.groups.yaho.../22879?l=1 and edited for cross-posting on prince.org, one-nation.com and the Miles Davis listserv)


Vernon Reid (guitarist and originator/co-founder of Living Colour) hit LA for a stay at Catalina's jazz club in Hollywood this past weekend. He led a quartet featuring material was taken from his fusion band Masque (last year's KNOWN UNKNOWN and the current OTHER TRUE SELF) and his first solo record, MISTAKEN IDENTITY. He also included two Hendrix covers where he sang the lead "Red House" and "Up From Skies".

The music is fusion jazz with a more rock-type amplification. There was likely some confusion on the proprietor's part because they viewed this as more of a rock thing. Granted, but I've seen Josef Zawinul, Dave Weckl, Victor Bailey and Mike Stern at this venue with much the same effect (though Joe and Dave can really pack the place with local music tech geeks). Too bad the turnout was so sparse for a Sat night. I'm a total fusion geek, so I was really diggin' this stuff!

Anyways, I got there with a buddy from the prince board (Neal) and the LC board. We ate, drank and enjoyed the show (I think I made Neal a convert as he hadn't gotten out to see LC and he's a guitar whiz in his own right). This night set us back quite a bit ($167 first set with food drinks and cover and $58 the 2nd with drinks and desert, plus tips). I like Catalina's but it just ain't cheap.

Afterwards, we chatted with Vern and had a total geek-fest where we critiqued the recent comic book movie adaptations. There was also talk of him breaking though the "jamband Bonnaroo mafia". Being extremely familiar with that scene I feel it's more than a perfect fit for Vern. Seems some kind of wall is in effect, but we all know the walls between us all must fall (this is a Living Colour reference)

I'm really diggin' this Masque stuff (have I said that already?) and I told Vern I wouldn't bug him with any LC questions. He's gonna
work this around in between the Melvin Gibb's PUNK FUNK jazz collective (EUR only). I also copped that 2nd Yohimbe Bros disc for $15. He says The 3rd release might be just guitar and DJ...nothin' else.

Maybe Neal will add his pics to this thread....

damn man. i wanna move to the west coast!!

The pics really didn't come out that well, but here you go.
(didn't want to be the a$$-with-the-flash in the crowd)


I've said publicly that I wasn't a big fan of Vernon Reid's guitar sound...



...based on the Living Colour records.
That still stands, but since i've now heard him live i'll modify that statement a bit.

He's a much more melodic player than I expected...



...He still did the bumble-bee thing from time to time but had a few more tricks up his sleeve.


The band was made up of very good players...



...and for the style they were playing, kept a reasonable volume.


If the bass player had turned down just a hair...



...it would have been perfectly balanced.


Outside of the drummer (didn't get a good pic of him) the other player that impressed me was keyboardist...



...Leon Gruenbaum
He played a variety of keyboard instruments along with a clarinet solo.
His most interesting instrument was the self designed Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee
Which is essentially an ergonomic computer keyboard. You can barely see it in the 1st photo but can learn all about it here:
http://www.samchillian.co...utsam.html

It is a shame about the turnout, as the band is good and Vernon is a very personable chap.

I enjoyed it.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431
[Edited 6/26/06 18:39pm]

that's a hammer Vernon's playing, isn't it?

i guess he really does like those guitars.

cool pics, wish i was there. i would've been the ass with the flash.

Right on man.
Those are cool enough.
I had my camera, but I hadn't set the non-flash setting and
didn't wantto get "frowned on".

theAudience said:

i've always like Vernon's sound. yeah it is a bit lackluster, but i like that dirty sound and he knew/knows how to work it.

i saw LC live back in the day for the Times Up tour and to this day that is one of the most amazing concerts i've ever witness. this didn't have anything to do with stage antics, it was all about the level of musicianship.

The Fams don't even know who Vernon Reid is.

sinisterpentatonic said:

Hamer guitars along with a Crate amp rig.


Not if I had anything to say about it or, "He's not with us."


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

PFunkjazz said:

Good. Thanks for the invite.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Cool pics.

I don't know Catalina's. New in the last decade? Where is it?

Stax said:

Thanks. It's in Hollyweird.

On Sunset one block east of Highland.
http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

you can walk to Roscoe's from there.

Stax said:

You could if you're ambitious or just a chump with NO CAR (nobody walks in LA)

LOL

Catalina's used to be on Cahuenga down closer to Hollywood Blvd; across the alley to the 24 hr newstand. In 2003, they relocated to this location which is closer to Highland Blvd.

BTW: Catalina's dates way back to the early 80s. I've seen Wynton & Branford Marsalis (together and in separate bands), Marcus Roberts, Kenny Kirkland, Mike Stern (with Dennis Chambers), John Scofield (with dennis Chambers), Kenny Garrett, McCoy Tyner, Josef Zawinul, George Duke, Steve Coleman, Jack DeJohnette, Greg Osby, Dave Weckl, Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, victor Bailey, Patrice Rushen, Ron Carter. Bobby Hutcherson...


Oh yeah Marcus Miller recorded part of the live set here too....



You get the point?
Some of you LA Fams just don't know about this kind of thang.
[Edited 6/26/06 21:51pm]

Can you remember what cuts he did from "Mistaken Identity"?

Thanks, y'all, for the info.

Vernon's tone never did anything for me, but he knows his way around a fretboard, for sure...

Novabreaker said:

"CP Time"

PFunkjazz said:

I accidentally broke my copy of that disc in my car, a few months ago...

PFunkjazz said:

Yeah, it would be sort of a hike, although you could stop into the cat & fiddle for a refreshing lager on your way.

catalina's has been around that long, huh? I don't think I ever went there. definitely the baked potato, but I don't think I have been to catalinas. thanks for the info.