Evan Goodrow Band’s latest CD release Say It is a fantastic collection of funk, soul, and R&B originals. Though funk has always been the backbone of everything Goodrow does, he and his trio stretch out into other territories this time around. His vocals are as smooth as his blues eyes soul music has ever been, and his guitar playing is even snappier on Say It than on discs past. He controls the six strings’ power more commandingly than ever and that self-restraint keeps the tones dynamic and vibrant.
Hammond organist/left hand bass player John Cooke continues to add a lot of funky, soulful textures to Goodrow’s songs, and his low end notes are heavier and stronger than a lot of four string player’s. Drummer Phil Antoniades keeps these grooving along with a solid depth in each tune. Antoniades doesn’t just play drums. He lays down a meaningful groove.
Goodrow’s new Say It CD may feel lighter on the surface. He keeps it mid-tempo and down tempo through out. Yet, those easy going frameworks only make the music more accessible and it lets these players carefully unleash their artistic flourishes, and its those details that make Say It come to life.
“I Don’t Wanna Know” opens his new one and it wastes no time getting into an old school R&B groove. Goodrow sounds a bit Stax. Smoky organ. Persistent groove. Smooth low tenor vocal. The guitar work nicely understated. From there, Goodrow emit’s a vocal style that exists somewhere in between assertive and tender. His music reaches in that crossfire between the heart and the feet. You can feel the scenario he sings of, or you can get onto the dance floor and move it to this mid-tempo cruise.
Goodrow’s funky guitar riffs on “Middle Street” reminds of Boz Scaggs, something that grooves mellow but steady and has a voice of its own inside the song. A smooth, soulful vocal makes the song inviting and the eventual guitar phrase notches things up further with its smoky incisiveness. Organ swirls jump around like their on springs and create a tension with the guitar briskly brushing up against them.
Goodrow employs familiar grooves on “And You’re Gone” but his interpretation of old school stuff keeps it fresh. His guitar work over it makes it a three dimensional experience in listening. He’s got many notes flying off his fret board yet perfectly incorporates his instrument virtuosity into the feel of the tune.
“Let Me” is a slow dance R&B number with a chorus that‘s catchy as hell. The organ hovers midway between the guitar and voice and the drums. This creates the ideal cushion for when the chorus gets a thickened texture. It sounds like something I might have grown up listening to, even though I’m hearing it for the first time.
“Lover” has a heavier funk groove that turns up the bass beat and the organ comes at you like a huge wave. That organ keeps on building up those swells and sending them your way. Goodrow’s guitar phrase here is full of feeling and it runs on with the edgiest presentation.
The boys go bopping into “What Happens.” Its got this quick little groove and Goodrow croons over it honey smooth, his voice a slow frying greasy thing that moves around the beat with a sweet momentum. These players fit their musical parts together real tight. “Can’t Wait” finds Goodrow funk riffing and finding his place inside the indelible groove laid down by Cooke and Antoniades. Each steps up the dynamics and, still tight, create something joyfully tumescent in their sound.
The last few tracks too are filled with energy and fine musicianship. “Help Me Up” and “Don’t Lie To Me” feature some mean, expansive guitar sound, and, “Singasong” has got dollops of infectious bass notes. “Way Back Home” features Goodrow riffing out madly and “Your On My Mind” is more of that easy going blue eyed soul.
The only thing left to say about this CD is to play it loud and savor every drop of cool funk.
