Last Thursday, on the brink of a much-awaited holiday weekend, O.A.R., G.Love and Special Sauce, and Ozomatli provided a triple dose of eclectic, roots-based rock, and the crowd ate it up like kids with Easter baskets.
Philadephia trio G.Love and Special Sauce shine at outdoor venues, but held their own on the Enmore stage.
James ‘Jimi Jazz’ Prescott was a sight to behold; a half bald, middle aged man, playing like a pro. He glides along the upright bass, and defines the laid back “cool” behind most G. Love tracks.
I, of course, freaked out during Can’t Go Back to Jersey, but the song does not have the same effect outside my home state. G.Love ’s self-proclaimed “Philadelphonic sound” is just that. When front man Garrett Dutton (a.k.a. G. Love) owns on the harmonica, and belts out his bluesy solos over Prescott ’s too-cool bass riffs, I can’t help but think of home. G. Love sounds like driving down I-95, crossing the New Jersey border with the Philadelphia skyline in sight.
But can that sound carry over to Sydney?
It seems it could. The crowd was especially pleased during a Red Hot Chili Peppers-infused rendition of Cold Beverage. Ozomatli members Uli (saxophone) and Shef (trombone) came out to add to the excitement, and beef up the stage presence.
Another highlight was *G.Love*’s smooth transition from a strong, sexy version of Wild Thing to the old school hip hop vibe of Can I Kick It. Ozomatli rapper Justin came out to add some rhymes, and tease the crowd for his upcoming performance.
Ozomatli tore the place apart with their tight, world-spanning mash-ups. Salsa collided with hip hop, cumbia danced circles around Middle Eastern funk, and no one stood still. The nine-piece band from L.A. can make even the walliest of wall flowers move to their eclectic beats.
The show was highlighted by many a novel moment, from crowds chanting “Ozzy, ozzy, ozzy! Oy, oy, oy!” to choreographed stage dances. A favorite moment of mine was a sneaky Norwegian Wood cover, which popped up during one song, and melted away into the next without warning.
At one point, the masters of novelty were helped out by one of their own crowd members who hopped on stage and popped the question. When the brave soul’s girlfriend accepted his proposal, Ozomatli took the bait and went smoothly into a jazzed-up version of The Bridal Chorus —proof that they can roll with the punches and keep the show in their control.
They ended things with a riotous, drum line procession through the crowd. One by one, the band members hopped off stage, instruments lifted high above their heads. A conga line formed as if on cue, and drum beats echoed through the venue.
Ozomatli gets on stage to have a good time, and their resulting performance was highly energized, and infectiously fun.
