Photos by Tim Dwenger
The Scene: I’ve got to admit, when we rolled into The Ogden last week to catch French Nu-Jazz pioneer St. Germain, I was stunned and saddened to be one of 5 other people in the big room. Yes, we went in at doors, but still . . . the balcony wasn’t even open. In the early part of 2000’s the music of St. Germain seemed like it was everywhere but maybe that was just in my world, or maybe this is what happens when you don’t release new music for 16 years. Sure, the room filled in, but it was never packed. That said, the crowd that was there ate up every minute of the band’s 100 minute performance.
St. Germain: When Ludovic Navarre (aka St. Germain) and the rest of his eight piece band took the stage at 8:30 the crowd signaled their approval and sat back to enjoy the ride. The African band kicked things off with “Forget Me Not,” the closing track from St. Germain’s most recent eponymous album, and from there we were off. African rhythms danced as band members plucked a kora and a twin necked n’goni, as Navarre stood behind a massive keyboard rig toward the real of the stage. While he was in the shadows for much of the night, he was clearly the master of ceremonies.
“Real Blues” betrayed the African roots of American Blues with it’s complex melody over-top of a Lightin’ Hopkins vocal sample and the band really started to let loose as members stepped in the light and shined on their foreign (at least to most of the crowd) instruments. The set took a turn out of the bluesy based material it had started off with when the band dropped into “Rose Rouge” from Navarre’s 2000 release Tourist. The crowd ate up the classic and it took me back to when I first moved to Colorado as the sample repeated “I want you to get together.”
As the set went on Navarre and the band dipped in and out of the new record and blended in favorites like Tourist’s “So Flute” to the delight of the crowd. As the obligatory flute solo dissolved it was clear that the percussionist was taking the spotlight and he never really let go of it for the rest of the evening. His immense talent on the hand drums was mesmerizing as he whipped the crowd and band into a frenzy that continued well into the encore where he revealed some unique percussion techniques like shaking a bag strung with seashells. If the set was foreplay, the encore was the main event and the band delivered and left us all out of breath as they came to a close with one last track from Tourist, bowed and waved goodnight. Those in attendance witnessed a great night of music, and hopefully the word will spread again, as it did 16 years ago, and next time Navarre in company come through town the room will be packed to the rafters.
Energy: B+
Musicianship: A
Sound: A
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: C
Overall: A-
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