When owner Peter Shapiro launched the venue Brooklyn Bowl—offering food, bowling, and live music—he invited the trio Soulive (Alan Evans, Neal Evans, and Eric Krasno) to present 10 nights of “Bowlive” to celebrate the 2010 opening. This release offers viewers two options: watching the concert with intercut interviews or without (for a music-only experience). The lineup includes the aforementioned threesome—Eric on guitar, Neal on Hammond B3, and Alan on drums—plus percussion; bass; and saxophone from the Shady Horns (Ryan Zoidis on tenor and Sam Kininger on alto). Friend and vocalist Nigel Hall appears on several tracks, including the original “Too Much.” In their commentary, Soulive talk about their relationship with Shapiro, their concept for the event, and their special guests. In performance, the band combines elements of funk and R&B—at times even sounding a little like the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Guests range from vocalists Susan Tedeschi (“Soul Serenade,” with guitarist Derek Trucks) and Ivan Neville (Stevie Wonder's “Jesus Children of America” and Sly and the Family Stone's “If You Want Me to Stay”), to pedal steel guitar player Robert Randolph, and drummer Questlove from the Roots (James Brown's “Give It Up or Turn It Loose”). Offering plenty of strong singing and playing—presented in Dolby Digital stereo—this is recommended. (K. Fennessy)
Soulive: Bowlive, Live at the Brooklyn Bowl
(2010) 122 min. DVD: $19.95. Music Video Distributors (avail. from most distributors). Volume 26, Issue 3
Soulive: Bowlive, Live at the Brooklyn Bowl
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