Few musicians have recorded and performed with both Brown and Clinton. Two of that select group, Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, tore up the stage at the Studio in Pittsfield, Ma. on Thursday Aug. 14. Maceo and Fred have been together since the James Brown days, and the connection shows on-stage. Maceo played with the Godfather starting in 1964 on and off for about twenty years. With trombonist Wesley and sax-player Pee Wee Ellis, the trio formed one of the most potent horn sections ever created, adding a jazzy element to the raw grooves and gravely voice of James Brown. Fred and Maceo went on to the organized chaos of the Parliament/Funkadelic days as part of the "Horny Horns", Pee Wee explored more jazzy terrain on his own. Maceo has released five solo albums since 1990, consisting of his signature "2% jazz, 98% funk" formula. The highlights are the two live albums, capturing the energy and soul of his performances. Fred Wesley has concentrated on his own solo career in recent years. The two are seen rarely on-stage together these days, so this concert was a special one.

When I first learned of the show, I was ecstatic that Maceo was bringing one of the premier funk bands in the world back to the area and surprised that he was playing in Pittsfield, Ma. I had to refer to a map to figure out exactly where Pittsfield was located and it turns out "you can't get there from here". As the crow flies, the drive should take an hour. Instead, the drive takes two and a half hours along windy, bumpy back roads. The Studio, a newly formed club in Pittsfield, was an odd choice also. The space in which the club occupied formerly was a furniture store. Columns sprouted up throughout the dance floor. One column grew in the middle of the stage, causing the bands to use mirrors to see each other. Mort Cooperman, owner of the Studio and gracious host, explained that Parker was a friend. The cavernous unused space in the club would eventually be used for art exhibits and a coffee house-type stage. I respect Mort for trying to create a cool scene in an old mill town like Pittsfield and wish him luck.

Upon my arrival on Thursday evening, the crowd milled about in anticipation. A few hundred people of all shapes and sizes showed up to be groovified by Mr. Parker. They were not disappointed. The band emerged onto the stage with the traditional opening jam, chanting "Ma-ce-o". The super-tight group of musicians consisted of Maceo on alto sax, Fred "the funkiest trombone-player in the world", Jamal Thomas on drums, Jerry Preston on bass, Bruno Speight on guitar, Will Boulware on Hammond B-3 organ, and "Sweet" Charles Sherell on percussion. Special guest on a few tunes near the end of the concert was Maceo's son, Corey, adding hip-hop flavor and rhymes to the mix. Parker seems to run his band somewhere in-between the extremes of James Brown and George Clinton. The group styled in well-tailored suits and ties, but also carried a laid back on-stage presence.

Maceo shows are all about dancing. The band facilitates the groove with long jams that slide from song to song. The audience becomes entranced by the beat and Maceo works a crowd like a pro. Songs ranged from Maceo favorites like "Soul Power" and "Shake Everything You've Got" to R 'n' B classics like Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On". Maceo uses a lot of call and response with both the band and the crowd, keeping everyone involved. The talented musicians proved their right to play with Maceo through rotating solos.

The bottom line: if you ever get the chance to see Maceo Parker live, snatch-it up. You will not be sorry, except maybe the next morning after dancing all night long. Want more info on Maceo, including tour dates? Visit Stephane & Carol Farinaud's Maceo homepage at www.brettcomp.com.