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By , Tuesday 9th September 2003 10.38pm (837 views)
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JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET @ Liverpool Barfly
Date: 6th May 2003
Support: Miriam Lamen
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Despite some initial technical difficulties with stubborn guitars, erstwhile JTQ vocalist Miriam Lamen got things moving along nicely, the music all bubbling intensity and breakbeats. Notable highlights in the set included the first tune, "Be What You Want To," a pacy number with a life-affirming message and a relentlessly catchy chorus, and "Better Off Dead" a trip-hoppy lament, with soulful vocals draped over malevolent chords and simmering beats. At the risk of understating the refreshing approach the band take by coughing up comparisons, I'd say they have a sound reminiscent of the likes of Shivaree, Sneaker Pimps and Moloko. Definitely not your average and well worth checking out.
Not since the Ben Folds Five has a band so wilfully flouted the Trade Descriptions Act. With up to seven people on stage at various points during the evening, the James Taylor Quartet cranked out some of the finest jazz-funk this side of the Atlantic. Yes, this type of music inevitably invites slack comparisons with 70s porno soundtracks and so forth, but that would belittle the quality of the entertainment on offer here tonight.
The solos were tastefully well-taken, never threatening lapse into self-indulgence. The ultra-tight rhythm section churned out perfect grooves for Taylor to throw over some top notch Hammond wailing. The two-piece horn section blasted out blistering unison lines, and Yvonne Yaney's sultry vocal work was nothing short of fantastic.
The music was dirty, rootsy, and deeply funky and it wasn't too long before JTQ had the crowd grooving along and throwing shapes. The band played cracking renditions of "Blow Out," "Starsky and Hutch" and "Love the Life." The only minor drag about the whole evening was the distinct impression Taylor gave that he'd rather be elsewhere. "I'm in JTQ get me out of here!" he joked between songs. Thoughout most of the set his facial expression showed all the studied indifference of a bored prostitute, but towards the end of the show he'd loosened up a bit more, urging on the crowd grooving away on the dancefloor. All in all, a superb night's entertainment - if you missed it, you missed out.
JTQ's latest offering, "The Oscillator" is out now. |
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