City Newspaper Archives - 2/2008
Maceo Parker "Roots & Grooves"
Published by Ron Netsky on Feb 06, 2008
In the 1960's Maceo Parker's exuberant solos punctuated James Brown's greatest recordings. On his new double CD, "Roots & Grooves," Parker teams up with the great WDR Big Band Cologne, conducted by Michael Abene. Half the album pays tribute to Ray Charles; the other half is a funk fest. All of it is a tour de force. The first cut, "Hallelujah I Love Her So," with Parker's sax and Frank Chastenier's B3 playing off the band's horns, is so electrifying you may wonder if it can get any better. On "Busted," Parker ups the ante, singing in a manner that recalls Charles without slipping into imitation. He does the same beautifully on "You Don't Know Me," "What'd I Say," "Georgia On My Mind," and others. The second disc is a showcase for Parker's funkiest tunes. His presence brings out more soul in the band than any Europeans have a right to possess.
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