GROOVE NATIONS: Still Black, Still Proud

Pee Wee Ellis + Fred Wesley + Vieux Farka Touré + Cheikh Lô + Tony Allen + Simphiwe Dana + Wunmi/Ty

Last week at the Barbican, (Saturday 14th July 2008), two funk legends and a plethora of stars came together to celebrate the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. PeeWee Ellis and Fred Wesley, former members of James Brown’s band, were joined by blues star Toure, Soul II Soul icon Wunmi, drumming legend Tony Allen, South African jazz singer Dana and many others.

This event, part of the Barbican’s ‘Groove Nations’ series, which will incorporate performances by Carlinhos Brown and Solomon Burke in the coming weeks, was a true one-off. As PeeWee Ellis informed the crowd early on, ‘You’re gonna have a good time, ‘cos we’re gonna give you a good time’

The connection between Wesley and Ellis was deeply respectful, and their love of performing was obvious and infectious. The other artists played with energy and enthusiasm, which was by no means dampened by the chance to share the stage with the two luminaries. Even some bumbled cues and occasional evidence of under-rehearsal couldn’t stop the groove.

The appreciative audience filled the Barbican aisles, very early in the proceedings, movin’ and shakin’ to the definitive sounds of the funk era. At times you got the feeling that, left on their own, the musicians would play on into the night, just for the love of it. James Brown may have created the music but these artists made it come alive for those lucky enough to be at the Barbican last week.

14th July 2008
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS 
Box Office: 0845 120 7550 www.barbican.org