Only 12 days until Christmas–and it’s time to spread some holiday cheer! With all this wonderful music around, it’s hard NOT to HEAR WHAT I HEAR! Lots of concerts and cd releases from artists new and artists old. Take just one listen to this stuff and I’m sure you, too, will be sold. So plug-in your earphones, as the music begins to play. I’ll be sharing my gifts to you, right up until Christmas day!
Okay, enough of the rhyme. I bet you didn’t know I could flow! Please hold your applause! But seriously, allow me to give you the first of your Christmas goodies!
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to check out one of the smoothest crooners on the indie-soul scene. In my book, he’s definitely one of the “unsung” artists of our generation. And guess what, we share the same birthday! Yes…I’m talking about none other than Frank McComb! I’ve been fortunate enough to see him twice this year. And each time I see him perform live, I’m left in awe with how incredibly skilled and unbelievably talented he is.
Listening to Frank McComb sing; watching him play– is like conversing with an old friend. You get him. He gets you. It’s effortless. It’s familiar and brand new, all at the same time. And before you know it, two hours have passed and yet you both–still–have so much more to say.
Unlike the last, this time I got a chance to hear him perform his own material. Don’t get me wrong, the first time I saw him…he paid tribute to one of my all time favorites, Mr. Donny Hathaway. (What a treat!) But 48 hours ago, on what felt like one of Atlanta’s coldest winter nights ever, Frank lit a fire inside the Apache Cafe that brought the house down! In the glow of red ambient light, he started out the night with “Keep Pushin’ On” and moved from there to so many of the others that have drawn me to his music over the years. Classics like “Cupid’s Arrow,” “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” and “Left Alone” all left me smiling! He even covered a Stevie Wonder classic. Check this out: (this is my first YouTube video post, so be kind!)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2j-jffhkBk&w=240&h=260]
In typical Frank McComb fashion, he wore a signature baseball cap. A black one. This time he chose to play on a black Korg instead of the candy-apple red one he used a few months back. And for two straight hours, I observed how Frank’s hands moved fluidly along the keys and noticed how his knee bounced along to each of the melodies he played. After listening carefully to the words he sings, it was clear to see the love he has for God, his loved ones and his fans. I watched his interaction with the crowd and witnessed their reaction and approval, as they sang along, snapped their fingers and nodded their heads. Some even shouted out the songs they wanted him to play. And for the most part, he obliged. Accompanying him were some of Atlanta’s finest: Broderick Santiago on percussions; Joel Powell on bass; Joey Williams on drums; Russell Gunn on trumpet and Derrick White on trombone. Hearing the way they played together made me feel like we were sitting front row and center, listening to a private jam session!
If you ever get an opportunity to see Frank McComb live, I implore you to GO! You will quickly see that everything I’ve said is 100 percent true. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and pick up his latest cd, A New Beginning! Matter of fact, pick up the previous ones too! And in case you need another reason to check him out, here’s one more for the road. (This is footage I found from another one of Frank’s recent shows, but the message is the same…Merry Christmas!)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bQmUnkA8Zo&w=240&h=260]
Until Next Time,
-TL
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