Search - Merl Saunders :: With His Funky Friends: Live

AWESOME AND FUNKY!!!!

TRAM | Indianapolis IN | 04/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If it is true that the measure of a man is who his friends are, then it should be true that the measure of a musician is who he plays with. That puts Merle at the top of the heap. This disc was recorded mainly in the early 90's with a whole new set of friends, but what a set of friends! His guests include: John Popper, Steve Kimock, Michael Warren, Murga Booker, Dr. John, Michael Hinton, Vince Littleton, Maria Muldaur, David Grisman, Trey Anastasio, and last but certainly not least Jerome Garcia. They do everything from Randy Newman, Willie Dixon, Garcia/Hunter, and Allen Toussaint to George Gershwin, and they do it all so well! I was a little skeptical myself. I loved Merle's 70's stuff with Garcia but was a little unsure what he would sound like over 20 years later with all new people. I wasn't disappointed and promise you won't be either. It's all here: blues, rock, funk, jazz, 'Nawlins creole, bluegrass, new age, and it's all done exactly like you would expect it to be. AWESOME AND FUNKY !!!!"