December 1998
House Wreckas Funk Up Tipitina's on Friday Night
by Alex Oliver
NOLA Live Staff Writer
Guitarist June Yamagishi gets down as saxophonists Thaddeus Richard and Ben Ellman look on (l-r) |
On Friday night New Orleans music fans were once again treated to a one-of-a-kind show that drew from the vast pool of local musical talent. Theryl "Houseman" deClouet, lead singer local funk hotshots Galactic, pieced together a wildly impressive band, the House Wreckas, comprised of Galactic saxophonist Ben Ellman, Neville Brothers drummer "Mean" Willie Green, former Neville Brothers (now with N'Dea Davenport) bassist Tony Hall, former Michael Ward & Reward guitarist June Yamagishi, MuleBone trombonist Mark Mullins, former Wings saxophonist Thaddeus Richard, plus guest spots by guitarists Jonanthan Freilich (New Orleans Klezmer All Stars) and Bill Iuso (Brides of Jesus) and harmonica player Jamie Galloway (Juice).
Following a funky instrumental opener deClouet came onstage, resplendent in a dark green silk suit, and
Theryl "Houseman" deClouet leads his House Wreckas through a undeniably funky set |
broke into "I'm A Ram," a song regularly featured in Galactic sets. deClouet commented on the assembled crowd of about 60 people by saying that by 11:30 p.m., "Not a big crowd, but a good one," then thanked audience member Jay Mazza for coming to the show. Prior to a smoking rendition of Johnny Guitar Watson's "A Real Mother For Ya," deClouet dedicated to deClouet's former musical collaborator Michael Ward, who passed away March 18. The funky and smooth "If You Want Me To Stay," the first of a few Sly and the Family Stone covers of the evening, perfectly matched deClouet's vocal style and onstage demeanor, and also featured a phenomenal Larry Graham-style bass solo by Hall.
The biggest surprise of the evening came after the House Wreckas took their set break, at about 12:15 a.m. deClouet introduced the members of Hollygrove, an a cappella group he performed in back in 1969. "We're gonna try to recreate what it was like on the street corner," deClouet explained as Hollygrove worked through a number of gospel-inspired R&B songs. Galactic bassist Robert Mercurio, in the audience along with the other member of Galactic, looked on endearingly as the four members of the group passed out single long-stemmed roses to female audience members during their performance.
deClouet passes out a rose to an audience member during Hollygrove's a cappella set |
At 1:15 a.m. the House Wreckas came back onstage and quickly worked into a
funky cover of Les McCann's "Compared To What?"
deClouet gave center stage over to Hall so he could sing a few songs,
including Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You."
The show wrapped up at a little past 2:30 a.m.,
and even at that late hour the crowd was reluctant to leave the festivities.
This show, booked only a week in advance,
exemplified the rare musical treats that can be found in New Orleans by
keeping your ears open and your eyes on the calendars.
Check out Theryl's website at
http://www.fogworld.com/theryl
for more info on the man and his gig schedule.
Article copyright © 1998
NOLA Live. Photos courtesy of
Alex Oliver/NOLAlive.com
Copyright © 1998
Fog City Productions.
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Fog City Graphics.