Track Listing:
Blues For Shorty Bill {Maceo Parker} 6:45
Keep On Marching
{Art Neville, George Porter, Leo Nocentelli, Ziggy Modeliste} 6:29
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy {Joe Zawinul} 6:26
Every Saturday Night {West, Hogan} 5:17
The Way You Look Tonight {Kern, Fields} 6:10
Splashin' {M Parker} 6:58
Walking Home Together {M Parker, Rebirth Brass Band} 4:54
Sister Sanctified {WJ Irvine, Jr} 6:37
Fun In The Sun {M Parker} 5:50
Personnel:
Producer: Stephen Meyner, Maceo Parker
"Blues For Shorty Bill" "Keep On Marching"
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Organ: Will Boulware Organ: Will Boulware
Guitar: Leo Nocentelli Guitar: Leo Nocentelli
Bass: George Porter, Jr Bass: George Porter, Jr
Drums: Herman Ernest III Drums: Herman Ernest III
"Mercy Mercy Mercy"
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
The Rebirth Brass Band:
Trumpet: Kermit Ruffins, Derrick Shezbie
Tuba: Phillip Frazier
Trombone: Stafford Agee, Reginald Steward
Tenor Sax: Roderick Paulin
Snare Drum: Ajay Mallory
Bass Drum: Keith Frazier
"Every Saturday Night" "The Way You Look Tonight"
Vocals, Alto Sax: Maceo Parker Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Trombone: Fred Wesley Trombone: Fred Wesley
Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis Tenor Sax: Pee Wee Ellis
Guitar: Rodney Jones Guitar: Rodney Jones
Organ: Will Boulware Organ: Will Boulware
Drums: Keith Frazier Drums: Bill Stewart
"Splashin'" "Walking Home Together"
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Guitar: Leo Nocentelli The Rebirth Brass Band
Organ: Will Boulware
Bass: George Porter, Jr
Drums: Herman Ernest III
"Sister Sanctified" "Fun In The Sun"
Alto Sax: Maceo Parker Alto Sax: Maceo Parker
Guitar: Leo Nocentelli Guitar: Leo Nocentelli
Organ: Will Boulware Organ: Will Boulware
Bass: George Porter, Jr Bass: George Porter, Jr
Drums: Herman Ernest III Drums: Herman Ernest III
Percussion: Michael Ward
Rating: RC: ****
Comments: RC: This is Maceo's New Orleans album, with a funky meeting of the minds with some of the Big Easy's most influential musicians. In addition, there's still some work with his J.B. Horns bandmates to keep everyone happy. The idea of Maceo working with N.O. greats like the Meters (or at least Leo Nocentelli and George Porter) and the mighty Rebirth Brass Band is a brilliant one, and the results are pure fun. This is easily Maceo's funkiest solo album, one that any enthusiast should snap up. Some of the songs on here are being used in his current solo show.
"Blues For Shorty Bill" is a mellow funker that has George Porter at his best on bass. "Keep On Marching", a Meters tune, this time has Leo Nocentelli as its focus. On both tunes, Maceo's blowing is extra funky, but restrained at the same time. "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" is a great collaboration with the Rebirth Brass Band. I love the tuba bleating out the bassline, with that smart drumming from the snare/bass drum duo, but the best part is the interplay between Maceo and the rest of the horns. At some points, he solos above the other horns, and at others, he blends in. Amusingly, they briefly play the chant to "Flash Light". "Every Sat. Night" is a fine JB Horns number, with that funky organ and guitar backing up the usual excellent horn interplay. Maceo's singing is also quite good. "Way You Look Tonight" is an upbeat, mellow jazz piece; there's a great guitar solo by Rodney Jones. "Splashin'" features an awesome hiccuping sax intro from Maceo, and then the Meters & Co. launch into a super funky instrumental. "Walking Home Together" features the Rebirth Brass Band once again. This time, there's a great tenor sax intro, followed by Maceo doing a lot of 'call and response' soloing. This is one of the most fun things on this very fun album. "Sister Sanctified" is mellow, but also has a funky push from the Meters; there's a great guitar solo from Leo. "Fun In The Sun" is even better, a driving funk number with some doubled-up lines and a hot solo from Leo.
This album is in print and should be easy to find. Check the jazz section of your store for this one.