CityLife

Maceo Parker Band

WHEN God was dishing out funk, Maceo Parker was undoubtedly in the front row, alongside James Brown and George Clinton – the two legends with which the saxophonist helped pioneer funk music in the '60s and ‘70s.

Tonight the 66-year-old whisked a desolate crowd along for a funk master class, conducting his seven-piece band that featured Birmingham trombonist Dennis Rollins, through a two-hour funk, soul and jazz workout, dominated by much of his work with Brown and Clinton’s Parliament and Funkadelic.

Acclaimed as one of the greatest saxophonists of all time – the frontman held the audience in the palm of his hand as they became slaves to the tightly arranged rhythms of James Brown’s 'Make It Funky', 'Too Funky' and 'Doing it to Death'. 

Indeed, the Godfather of Soul flavour to the show was the highlight – and at times one wished the late showman would further illuminate the stage; as Parker, although a charismatic and accomplished performer, seemingly lacks the razzmatazz and showmanship of a lead star.

Halfway through, the band leaves the stage as a newly sunglasses-adorned Parker reveals his vocal prowess with a tribute to Ray Charles; his beautiful and unexpected emotional delivery of 'You Don’t Know Me' proving to be a truly captivating and refreshing interlude from the high-tempo horn-packed jazz/funk.

Despite being ever the band leader, he was most dynamic alone – his serenading stroll through the audience with his saxophone, fixed the spotlight firmly on himself for a jazz solo. 

During the encore he was keen to balance out his collaborations and his solo efforts, opting for 'Pass the Peas' and 'Soul Power'; which prompted the crowd to join in for a well-overdue boogie.

A musical genius was at the top of his game tonight and although he may live in the shadows of James Brown – without him, there wouldn’t be any funk.
 

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