It was a dark and stormy night—one for the record books, they say—but I had a concert to get to. Despite the pelting rain, traffic caused by accidents, moments of getting lost, and trudging through block after block of wet pavement until my boots were waterlogged, I made it. I MADE IT! I felt like Hercules, ready to shout, “Screw you, weather—I need music! And dammit, I’m going to get it!”, even though everything in my being screamed to go home and get into warm pajamas and dry socks.
But here I am, soggy boots and all, enveloped in the throngs as we groove in time on a packed dance floor of Oakland's The New Parish music venue, ready to soak in the psychedelic-soul jazz of San Diego legends The Greyboy Allstars.
But here I am, soggy boots and all, enveloped in the throngs as we groove in time on a packed dance floor of Oakland's The New Parish music venue, ready to soak in the psychedelic-soul jazz of San Diego legends The Greyboy Allstars.
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Formed in 1993 for DJ Greyboy’s underground label, The Greyboy Allstars have honed their sound for over 30 years. Current members include Karl Denson (Lenny Kravitz/Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe) on saxophone, flute, percussion, and vocals; Robert Walter (Steve Kimock/20th Congress) on keys; Mike Andrews (a.k.a. Elgin Park, composer extraordinaire) on guitar and bass; Chris Stillwell on bass and guitar; and Aaron Redfield (Fiction Family) on drums.
The Greyboy Allstars know how tonewly released album Grab Bag: 2007-2023, which compiles over 25 years of previously unreleased material, though fans may recognize these tracks from past live performances. The album jumps into high gear from the start with “Slip the Grip”, then bounces over to “Watch Out Gail,” a track with a fascinating but short backstory, go to their shows to get the story. The cover of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" is a mind-bending rendition of that classic song while the jazzed-up groove of “Boxes” is absolutely infectious.
The Greyboy Allstars know how tonewly released album Grab Bag: 2007-2023, which compiles over 25 years of previously unreleased material, though fans may recognize these tracks from past live performances. The album jumps into high gear from the start with “Slip the Grip”, then bounces over to “Watch Out Gail,” a track with a fascinating but short backstory, go to their shows to get the story. The cover of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" is a mind-bending rendition of that classic song while the jazzed-up groove of “Boxes” is absolutely infectious.
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As a music journalist reviewing a live concert, my job is to share my experience with you—talking about this or that song while breaking down why I enjoyed my experience. But my evening with The Greyboy Allstars had me straying from my usual protocols of dissecting the technical aspects of what a band is doing or analyzing individual songs or moments I witness. My evening ended up being about getting out of my head and into my body while feeling the freedom of moving my cranky bones to the music. It was about smiling, connecting with strangers, and feeling part of something bigger than myself. We all came to dance, to escape whatever hells we’ve been navigating, and to remind ourselves that we’re not alone.
The Greyboy Allstars didn’t just play music; they brought us together for a night that fed our souls. Together as a symbiotic unit we created something magical to carry forward into the world.
The Greyboy Allstars didn’t just play music; they brought us together for a night that fed our souls. Together as a symbiotic unit we created something magical to carry forward into the world.
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