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Phil's Juke Joint at The Hideaway Cafe

1/7/2017

9 Comments

 
Picture
When a band is packed with musicians who have chops and technique for miles, it's a good thing. When a band is packed with musicians who have fantastic groove and pocket and feel, that's even better. When you have a band that has BOTH of those things, you have Phil's Juke Joint.

Tonight at the Hideaway Cafe in St. Petersburg was a rare treat for me, as I caught PJJ in concert. Led by their namesake Phil Magallanes on keyboard, the ensemble poured out well over two hours' worth of unbelievable funk, jazz, pop, and even a few 70s TV theme songs (The Barney Miller Theme, and "Angela" - the theme from Taxi). Even better was the opening number; "Late Night", by Paul Shaffer and The World's Most Dangerous Band - which you might know as the theme to Late Night with David Letterman on NBC in the 80s.  

Everyone in the band is a musician of the highest order. Guitarist Geoff Jacob was a master at catching every nuance of the vintage sounds the band showcased, he played impeccable and tasty rhythm guitaer, and his solos were joyful, musical, and searing with emotion. SO many styles and influences in Geoff's toolbox! Sax/flute master Kenny Anderson was simply beyond belief. Passion, flames, and a mighty altissimo highlight the playing of a truly formidable musician. There wasn't a note he didn't have - everything he reached for, he hit. Boundless energy! Tim George, the bassist, was the perfect combination of chops and groove. Funkified, blistering speed, DEEP pocket, stratospheric soloing capabilities, good percussionist, too! He's forgotten more about the bass than I will ever know. Drummer Ric Craig was a veritable machine - perfect meter, focused and micrometered groove, powerhouse fills and solos, and just taste, taste, taste in every note. Phil Magallanes is a force of nature himself, a whirling dervish of musicality behind the keyboard. His musical direction was professional and sensitive; his playing is incredibly skilled, emotionally charged, and playfully irreverent. The versatility of this ensemble is inestimable.

Guest vocalist Joy Francis was a powerhouse as well. She was the vocalist in Miami Sound Machine before Gloria Estefan, and that pedigree was evident in her soaring vocals.

​Thanks to John Kelly and Hideaway Cafe for continuing to bring us the premiere listenign room in the Tampa Bay area!!


9 Comments
Ric craig link
1/7/2017 10:52:36 am

Wow that is an amazing review. I personally appreciate all the nice comments. These guys are world class and I feel at this point in my career a privilege to get to play with these guys in the Tampa Bay area. Each one of these guys has done a lot of dues paying and you just don't learn that in school. it's from years of experience playing with many different artists and playing in many different Musical situations. What I get a pleasure out of doing is passing on my knowledge to other young very gifted talented players in the Tampa Bay area. And believe you me there are a lot of them and you'll be seeing and hearing them in the coming years. Thanks again

Reply
Phil Traynor link
1/9/2017 12:02:04 pm

That's one of the many reasons I love Hideaway; it's a fantastic showcase for emerging talent. But it was a joy watching the "old guard" knock the back wall out too! :)

Reply
Tim George
1/7/2017 03:40:54 pm

SO very nice of you to say the kind words Phil. Much appreciated my friend.

Reply
Phil Traynor
1/9/2017 12:02:53 pm

Well-earned, kind sir. You put on a clinic! You have to show me that triplet slap thing.. :)

Reply
Joy Francis Harder
1/8/2017 05:02:06 pm

Thanks for such an awesome write up! Agree wholeheartedly, these guys are amazing and it was such a pleasure for me to share my first gig here in town with these them!

Reply
Phil Traynor
1/9/2017 12:03:41 pm

Welcome to the neighborhood! I hope you find the Bay area a great experience for you. Certainly, yours was an auspicious debut!

Reply
Kenny Anderson
1/8/2017 06:56:54 pm

Thanks so much for this flattering article! I'm so proud to be part of this band! Every member of the band works hard to do justice to the music we play and the artists we admire.
It just keeps getting better and better!!

Reply
Phil Traynor
1/9/2017 12:05:39 pm

You bet it does, Kenny! What I didn't mention, and should have, was the amazing chemistry you all had onstage. Clearly you all like each other and respect each other and listen so well. The humor you shared with Geoff was great... I'm fortunate to play with a group of guys with whom we share that close bond as well. It wouldn't be nearly as fun if I didn't love them all so...

Reply
Cooking Katie link
11/29/2020 10:23:50 pm

This was a loovely blog post

Reply



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