It’s no secret that it is a strange time in the world right now with the ongoing pandemic and the surge of the Omicron variant, but it’s an even stranger time in the world of live music. As 2021 wound down, New Year’s events were being cancelled left and right and music fans were left to wonder if one of the most important nights on the concert calendar would be left blank. While one of the first dominoes to fall was the Phish run at MSG, no city was immune (except maybe Chicago) and My Morning Jacket’s three night run at the Mission Ballroom – which I’d been looking forward to for months – was soon on the list of cancellations and with it Neal Francis‘ opening slot on the 29th. While I was feeling sorry for myself, I rallied the crew and scored tickets for Neal’s headlining gig at Globe Hall on the 30th fully expecting it to be cancelled as well.
As the date approached, word on the street was that Francis and his band were going to play and around 5 o’clock on the day of the show, I allowed myself to get excited. Neal had saved the day again (click here for coverage of his show at Dillon Amphitheater the day the Black Pumas cancelled).
The evening started with a DJ who was set up on the floor of the small room spinning some classic Funk and Soul tunes as the venue slowly filled up. Around nine, local Funketeers Gold Leader took the stage and proceeded to wow the capacity crowd. Featuring local stalwarts Will Trask on Drums, Eric Luba on Keys, Zach Jackson on Bass, Thomas Jennings on Guitar and joined by a horn section of Alex Cazet and Carrie McCune this is one powerhouse band (Listen Here!). Their set featured originals that stood up handsomely against covers of the likes of Herbie Hancock and a funked up take on “Que Sera Sera” that featured a sit-in from Neal Francis himself. Gold Leader was an absolute blast and set the stage perfectly for Francis and crew.
When Neal Francis took the stage he had ditched the cable-knit sweater and mushroom hat that he sported during the Gold Leader sit-in in favor of a pinstripe blazer and slick 70’s inspired shirt. The band tore right into their set with “Can’t Live Without Your Love” from their stellar 2019 album Changes and followed it up with “Say Your Prayers” and “Problems” from 2021’s In Plain Sight (which I highly recommend as well).
Throughout the set, as his band held down the funky back beat, Francis showed off considerable prowess on the keys as he switched between several keyboards in what was a remarkably large rig for such a tight stage. “Changes” and “Can’t Stop The Rain” were highlights, but it was a cover of the Shuggie Otis gem “Strawberry Letter #23” that really surprised and delighted me. The latter portion of the set featured a couple standout tunes from the band’s latest release in “BNYLV” and “Prometheus” and smiles (not hidden by as many masks as you might expect) abounded in the room.
From beginning to end, it was a blissful night of high energy, funk infused music that reminded me yet of how important live music is to making it through these strange times. Thanks to Neal Francis and Gold Leader for helping to save my holidays!
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