One Night Only...MuthaWit...Monday, March 24: KAOS Network, Los Angeles

Angelenos and those currently hanging out in the Los Angeles area get one more shot at an infusion of the MuthaWit vibe during their LA foray. (right: freaky and fearless: MuthaWit's Shena Verrett and Boston Fielder with Michelle Wilding in Long Beach)

Yeah, I know it's a Monday. But that's a big reason to go, cause the energy promises to be such that you'll be floating and flowing the rest of the week. You can read about the MuthaWit City of Angels experience thus far here. Sure, I know, it's the ensemble leader Boston Fielder's take on the shows, and sometimes musicians are wont to exaggerate the excitement and impact of their own performances. But having been to a MuthaWit show, I can testify that when they're in the zone there's no need for hyperbole in describing the effect. Clearly they are in the zone.

But playing Devil's Advocate, even if only half of what Fielder describes came to pass those would be a couple of seriously trip-a-sonic shows, que no?

A few excerpts:

On bassist Orlando Greenhill (aka Brother O, aka Oddrocker O) who's sitting in with MuthaWit in LA :

Orlando is easily one of the baddest bassists in the world. He is technical and organic in playing and performance in a way that most folks never get to. His performance energy is pretty much like watching a Yoruba practitioner come down upon by Egun or Orisha. It’s frightening and funny simultaneously ultimately resonating with the audience in a way that just makes me happy. I am always chiming in about how mastering your instrument is not enough when it comes to having a career in the music business. Performance is also tantamount. If I had to create a picture of a musician who is masterful in any genre but also a seductive performer I’d probably draw Orlando.

On guitarists Lou Rossi and Shena Verrett, and guest musicians, Brig Feltus and Waberi at the Crash Mansion/LA show:

Shena and Lou held down the guitar chairs for the show and they brought it in a way that was revelatory. Their fearless approach to our songs is really uncovering elements in the melodies that have heretofore only been hinted at. Lou is able to channel ambient clouds and Shena brings that ragged punk energy that makes MuthaWit so hard to define musically. Again, their performance energy is inspiring. The audience at Crash Mansion LA was a mixture of hip hop heads and alt rock types that were very appreciative and vocally responsive to the performance. How best to close out the evening? We were joined onstage by my friend/singer, Brig Feltus...and my new partner in crime, Waberi... These two ladies have a regal presence that when coupled with their powerful voices and open-minded approach to music just had the audience OPEN. You can probably tell that the Crash Mansion show is one of the best MuthaWit gigs EVER. The combination of nerves, happiness, excitement and talent made the event volatile and explosive. RAWK!

On the dynamics of the very different and no less rockin' Que Sera show:

It was a night of experimental music of 5 bands with MuthaWit as a three piece featuring Shena on guitar/pedals, Orlando on standup bass/electric bass and me on acoustic/electric guitars. A couple of the people who attended this show were also at Crash Mansion LA and it was so interesting to get their reaction to how different the shows were. If Crash Mansion LA was punk/rock/funk/jazz/drum n bass then Que Sera was noise/blues/free jazz/classical. Orlando’s bowing of the acoustic bass really brought out beautiful elements on the lower end that inspired me to experiment with some challenging vocal approaches. I have to tell y’all at this point about the crazy onstage chemistry between Shena and Orlando. They pretty much had their instruments engaging in a savage bout of sexual intercourse throughout the show. WHAT?! Yup, the were ramming the electric guitar and electric bass together creating a cosmic cataclysm of sound. Rubbing the strings together, shaking the instruments and physically running into each other Orlando and Shena WERE THE SHOW. LOL I spent a bit of the show watching them and coaxing gutteral sounds out of my effects units. They inspired me to emphasize the noise part of my soundset...The audience was all up in it and I was ecstatic to see how intense the performances of MuthaWit’s songs can actually be when the commitment is there to just be in the moment. Whew!

Like I said, even if only 50% of all that happened don't you wish you'd been there to see it?

Well, you got one more chance, and you'll be "...Losing A Good Thing," (lil' nod to Barbara Lynn) if you sit on this and miss it. So Don't.

• March, 24 2008 •
URB ALT @ KAOS Network ("historic home of the ever popular Project Blowed")
4343 Leimert Blvd
Los Angeles, California 90008
8pm
Cost : Donations
Tel: 323-296-5717