Customer Reviews

Your Game: Live at the 9:30 Club Washington, D.C.

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ok, so mymainman chuck is almost 70 and he's still puttin out classics. This is by far the best commercial release by chuck in a live setting. the all-time classics are a set of him and lil benny at the takoma station (1998), and the great 1991 tape at the kilimanjaro club (where juju broke the bass drum on run joe, and improvised on bustin loose)

every cut on this cd slams, and all of the guests are up to par except for big tony.

Go-go is D.C.'s indigenous funk, but I'll freely admit that I'm way less familiar with it than I really should be. This realization came upon me with astonishing force upon listening to this record, which is unlike anything else I've ever heard except Chuck's actual live show, which I had to check out after hearing this CD.
The audience for this live show seems to be specially selected people who know every rite of the go-go show and who appreciate the cameos from Jas, Funk, Benny, Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson (some irony there), and other special guest artists from old school go-go luminaries such as Trouble Funk. I hope one day to be well-enough versed in go-go to savor such moments.
Coming to this CD from classical and hip-hop, though, there are priceless moments enough. A horn riff with (electronic piano doubling as) harpsichord under it in the opening "Wind Me Up, Chuck" sounds freaking exactly like the opening ritornello in Bach's second Brandenburg Concerto, but about five million times funkier. Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" gets a conga-driven workout and some ultrasmooth Chuckster lyrics. "2001 (That'll Work)" again takes a classical work, in this case "Dawn" from Richard Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra, and funkafies it mercilessly into the go-go strut, producing extra-special glee for anyone who likes historical irony and remembers Strauss's vile late-life racism. "No Diggity," the one hit in the wonder that was Blackstreet, and the Kool Moe Dee classic "Do You Know What Time It Is?" both get slamming covers towards the close of the album, showing that Chuck and his band can cover all the R&B bases they choose to.
But mostly this record is about bold, jazzy brass playing, guitar riffs powerful enough to shake mountains, Chuck's magesterial presence, and the go-go beat powering it all. It's really a wonderful thing, and the only reason I don't play this record more than I do is that I'm worried about becoming inured to its glories.
The fact that the first of like five shout-outs to Silver Spring occurs at 4:26 into the record is purely incidental to my enjoyment of it, by the way.

Man this CD is off the chain. Chuck is back with a vengeance. The Barry White mix is live as ever. Reminds me of the IBEX when listening to live GO-GO was safe and partying was hard.

Is it possible for a CD to have one beat throughout its entire length, and still be as good to your head as to your booty? If Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers are layin the groove down the answer is yes. Mr. Brown invented one beat--the go go beat--and he's stuck to it, but what he does on top of that beat is what keeps your attention. His guitar, the bass, keys, and especially the horns are all over the place in the jazziest sense of the word. Brown is a master, classy MC for the party. I have several other live discs by CB and this may be the best. Recommended highly for anyone who likes their music loose and funky.

Chuck Brown brings Go-Go home where it belongs.....Go-Go is live, Audience-interaction, Conga-smacking, Backbeat-Drumming......if you are ever in DC.....Check out Chuck Brown.....this cd is hot

Chuck Might be 67 but Cuzz is still rockin. I was used to hearing the usual Chuck from my pops but this album was a live show that I wish I was at. I gave my mom this album for her birthday & ended up buying one for myself the next day just because I was listening to it as soon as she opened it. All I gotta say is when U hear the 1st track "Hoochie Coochie Man" U will understand!

Chuck Brown the "Godfather" of "Go-Go" has once again proven that live band music is nothing but the truth. This CD has to be the best live "Go-Go" album ever made. For those of us that remember back in the day, Chuck brings back those good memories of the "Chapter" and the "Metro Club." Hey baby "Chuck does give a [care]." Peace

One of the few live Go-Go recordings that is good from start to finish. There was never a time where I said, "Well, he shouldn't have sung that". It's driving, yet mellow. Another classic from Chuck.

I was there at the 9:30 Club for his performance and let me tell you I've been to many Chuck shows, but this one takes the cake. If you were not there, I'm sorry, but you must get the CD. This CD is the best I have ever heard Chuck. The horns are awesome, the music selection is great! If this CD doesn't put Go-Go on the map, well to hell with the critics because this CD is unbelievable!

The horns and the percussion is great. Chuck Brown, James Funk, Little Bennie and the rest of the crew use their talent and skill and once again show the World why Washington, DC is famous for "Go-Go" music.