Funky Lady

Thursday night at the Horseshoe, a double bill of funk was offered. First up at an early 9:15 start was local singer Saidah Baba Talibah. I saw her supporting Hill and the Sky Heroes, and I wanted to hear her own material. Well, she sang blues, funk, rock, all had a strong groove and plenty of attitude. She had a hard time exhorting those sitting at the back to get up and dance. But those of us at the front needed few encouragements to get down with her music. Her penchant of 80s-esque power ballads was met by guitarist Heather Crawford who, when not laying down chikka-chikka chords, ripped through wailing solos.

The band Lady mines the same 60s soul sound as Lee Fields and the Expression. No wonder, as they are signed to the same label. Fronted by Nicole Wray, an R'n'B singer who had success in the late 90s/early aughts, they played a tight set. In a polka-dot number, Wray grooved about mothers (Sweet Lady), economic truths (Money), and lots of lovin', lyin' and cheatin' (Tell The Truth, Waiting On You, If You Wanna Be My Man). It was music that had you dancing the whole time. But with the current mode of "confessional authenticity",  it was hard to connect emotionally with the polished smoothness (which was also present in those bygone days of studio-controlled releases and session players).