It’s a rarity these days to see somuch raw talent on one stage in a single evening. This show was basically aco-headline hometown throwdown with Euforquestra hosting the venerable RobertWalter and his 20th Congress. For good measure they invited one of the fastestrising stars of the Fort Collins music scene, Graham Good & The Painters toopen the evening. We definitely had allthe ingredients for a night to remember. This mini tour was booked as a threenight run with stops at The Fox Theater in Boulder, Cervantes in Denver andclosing at The Aggie on Saturday. Despite a relatively weak turnout, all threebands played with an energy and enthusiasm usually reserved for sold outcrowds.
Graham Good is a modern daymessiah of rock and all things positive at a time when he is desperatelyneeded. He has found himself surrounded ‘The Painters’; six incredible jazzcats who give his songs the backbone they deserve. Mr. Good’s sound is soulfulwith a punch that is truly unforgettable. They opened with the poppy jam ballad“Music In The Morning” which quickly became a sing-along as early arrivers gotto moving. Songs like the irreverently positive “Bullshit” and the downrightcatchy “Mariah” about a lost love stay with the listener long after the show.In an unexpected twist they treated fans to a cover of Vulfpeck’s “Cory Wong.”They closed their momentous opening set with “Grow.” This band is one to lookout for, Graham Good & The Painters are pure fire.
For the two previous showsEuforquestra took the middle slot with Mr. Walter shutting it down. However, atthe Aggie I assume because it was their hometown, Euforquestra was given theclose. Robert Walter’s 20th Congress is a veritable super group consisting ofSimon Lott on drums, Victor Little on bass and local legend Dan Schwindt onguitar. They took us through a slew of original instrumental jazz and funktunes that ranged from tranquil to explosive. The set itself seemed to buildinto a musical frenzy with all four artists on stage taking turns wowing the audience.Their version of Burt Bacharach’s “My Little Red Book” which was recordedduring his 2nd Lagniappe Session was breathtaking. The 20th Congresstook us through a number of tunes off their latest album Spacesuitincluding “13th Key” and “Emanate.” Walter’s take on the Rastafari hymn “RiversOf Babylon” transformed the reggae spiritual into a jazzy barnburner. Theyclosed their sturdy set with The Greyboy Allstars classic “Quantico.” RobertWalter has done it all from his seminal work with as a Greyboy to performing asa sideman to Mike Gordon to fronting his own successful band. He is a legendanywhere he plays and it was an honor to see him in such an intimate setting.
Euforquestra continues to offer upa musical oasis full of funky goodness and dance-inducing jams. They are stilla bit of a Colorado secret, but through extensive touring over the years theyhave gained quite the following. The core five members invited longtime friendsKim Dawson to sing and Gabriel Mervine to add his trumpet to the mix. Theirninety minute set showcased the amazing musical prowess assembled onstage.Their version of the Afrobeat classic “Black Pearl” originally recorded byAfrican Music Machine set the mood. Tonight was going to be a funky explorationof soulful sounds and buttery beats. Ms. Dawson emerged from backstage to takethe mic on the Bobby Patterson R&B standard “T.C.B. or T.Y.A.” She wouldremain on stage for the bulk of their show. Fan favorite “Road Funk” made anappearance before they regaled the crowd with a perfect rendition of LedZeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop.” Another highlight was their ode to grandma’s“Soup” featuring a superhuman drum solo from Jeff Peterson. They closed theirmonumental set a version of The Ikettes’ “Just Not Ready For Love,” featuringKim’s insane pipes. As Euforquestra returned to encore Bluto’s speech from AnimalHouse echoed over the PA before they ripped into the spicy “Giving It All”to end the show. All three bands certainly did ‘give it their all’ and fans whomade the trek were rewarded with a mind bending night of music. Each set tookon a different vibe and feel, but together it became a melting pot of funk,soul, and jazz.
