Catching the occasional glimmer of sequins as I crossed the street to enter the usually alt-country Tractor Tavern, I confirmed my suspicion that including the words, “Michael Jackson” is a good way to draw a crowd, and throwing in “afrobeat” gets even more people curious. Sure enough the inherent dance nature of the event drew a crowd to fill the small floor and provide a mild sweat for the evening. Combining two styles of music that share an entirely danceable beat (for example, a three-person percussion section) Ben Darwish and the folks of Commotion kept the majority of the audience in motion from start to finish, a feat that has rarely happened at any tractor show I’ve attended (although I’ve never attended square dancing night). Sunday’s show was in celebration of Micheal Jackson’s birthday, although sadly this was noted as their last performance. The group is led by Ben Darwish, a Portland native and the rest of the group Commotion, also from Portland. The group has been gaining popularity around the funk/afrobeat scene of Oregon with their energetic, organic groove-heavy performances.
Most people seemed more familiar with the Michael Jackson portions of the mash-ups, although a few folks seemed more familiar with full body afrobeat dance style. I find it extremely difficult to dance off-beat to this type of music, although one or two ladies in the front seemed to be doing their best. Darwish noted that the Michael Jackson songs might come at the beginning or at the end of any given tune, implying I think, that folks should be patient and stop screaming “Thriller,” a common call, which got a little old by the end of the evening.
Overall though, most folks appeared to be having a good time flailing their arms and shaking hips, and the performers on stage equally produced shining smiles.The only one who appeared serious throughout was Darwish himself, who kept up an internal beat pacing around the stage and conducting the group through solos, key changes and endings when not lunging his head at the keyboard. Though not much of a connoisseur of afrobeat, I recognized some of the famous Fela Kuti riffs and could definitely appreciate the work that went into seamlessly blending the tracks with Michael Jackson favorites like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Rock with You,” “Blood on the Dance Floor,” a sans vocal “Beat It” and a slightly shifted and crowd-pleasing “Smooth Criminal” featuring trading vocals by Tahirah Memory and Gretchen Mitchell. The appearance of a Michael Jackson impersonator towards the end of the evening also drew an impromptu dance circle to allow for a whole bunch of twirling, which further energized the crowd. Overall, the performance brought an element of familiarity that I find lacking when listening to any sort of groove or beat music. Whether this is a good thing for afrobeat music, I haven’t quite yet decided.
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Columbus Short Would be an excellent match for Sam Cooke (especially if this movie was to include Sam’s Soul Stirrer years). Just as long as in the movie Sam does the singing of course lol. But as far as physical resemblance my boy Columbus Short all the way. View this clip of Cadillac Records were he played lil walter… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmxTbcnW6bY
by Akin Z on Wed Feb 1, 2012 at 12.37 am from the entry: Sam Cooke to get a movie
Oops meant Aloe Blacc not Black. Sorry about the typo. If you doubt that he should play Sam check him out here on you tube singing Loving you is Killing me. The likeness is uncanny - but the voice is quite different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJuyaVcL2I&feature=artist
by Tamara L on Tue Jan 31, 2012 at 08.30 am from the entry: Sam Cooke to get a movie
I have read the Peter Guralnick book and it is thoroughly researched down to the minutest detail. Amazing.
I would go for Aloe Black because he looks so much like Sam, but for heaven’s sake why are we talking about the quality of the actor’s singing? Sam’s singing has got to be dubbed in. We want the real thing not an impersonator. There is only one Sam Cooke. The actor can act, let Sam do the songs.
by Tamara L on Tue Jan 31, 2012 at 08.24 am from the entry: Sam Cooke to get a movie
Thanks for the mention, we do appreciate your time and attention. Please check us out@DirtyDurdie.com.
once again thanks for noticing us.
by Dirty Ice on Tue Jan 24, 2012 at 11.04 pm from the entry: Yasiin Bey - Fete (Providence, RI; Dec.10, 2011)
John Boutte should play Sam Cooke. Except the point someone made about him dying young, this is true. Boutte may be a bit too old.
by Brendan on Tue Jan 17, 2012 at 06.17 pm from the entry: Sam Cooke to get a movie
La cara de kurt de: NO ME DIJERON NADA :| ajajjajajaja
by asdsad on Tue Jan 17, 2012 at 04.29 am from the entry: Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic Weigh In On Kurt Avatar
Blacks say the word 50+ times a day. Fuck the double standard, stop trying to create controversy.
by Steve C on Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 02.00 pm from the entry: John Mayer is about to get swallowed up in public outrage
Thanks Nicole!
Just wanted to say that although this may be our last time performing this show, I have many other projects in the works. Info and show schedule is on my website.
- Ben