Theryl DeClouet - vocals; Robert Mercurio - bass; Stanton Moore - drums; Jeff Raines - guitar; Richard Vogel - keyboards; Skerik - sax; Guest:; Warren Haynes - guitar
Galactic, from the planet New Orleans, has kept the groove on the one ever since their inception in 1994. Vocalists may come and go, but the thing that has remained consistent in Galactic's world is the funk: Whether it's jazz- or rock-inspired, they just keep on doing it deeper and more soulfully. This set from 1999 recorded at the annual Mountain Aire Festival in Northern California (with special guest Warren Haynes on guitar for a song) showcases Galactic's special brand of Louisiana magic, from retro soul to far out jazz sounds.
When speaking of Galactic, the word is funk, and yet the New Orleans band is certainly musically multi-lingual—conversant as they are in blues, jazz, and good old R&B. On this day in '99, the band speaks its interplanetary musical language to deliver a second set that's served hot as blackened catfish.
Since its birth in New Orleans in 1994, Galactic's line up has consisted of DC childhood friends Jeff Raines (guitar) and Robert Mercurio (bass) who made the move South and were immediately impacted, imprinted, and inspired by the signature blend of roots rhythm and multi-cultural sound they found in the Crescent City. Picking up where the Meters, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Professor Longhair left off, Galactic's modern N'awlins beats are backed-up by solid members Stanton Moore (drums), Rich Vogel (Hammond B-3), and on this night, Skerik on sax and guitarist Haynes who sits in on the Chicago-styled, "Blues For Ben."
"Metermaid" is a juicy slice of fatback, while "Love on the Run," is one of the band's showcase tunes, as vocalist Theryl DeClouet joins the jams. "Thrill" is also a staple of the live set and another opportunity for DeClouet to bring it on home. Skerik gets to give it all he's got for the sax line on "Running Man," and "Change My Ways" takes things into the outer-galaxies for a free jazz ride. Throughout, the bass is heavy, the keyboard is slammin', and the band is jammin'. Taking it from soul high to funk down low, Galactic deliver the goods on interstellar overdrive. Laissez les bons temps rouler!