World Party - Roxy Los Angeles last night
There were issues - sound mix, bass mic problems, a band that ocassionally got lost, and wear & tear on Karl Wallinger's voice, BUT...
This band is great fun: high energy, loopy kumbaya utopian lyrics, and a near-perfect set list. PLUS...
Shy of Zydeco, how often do you get a band featuring multiple soloists on:
guitar (often played with a slide)
fiddle and
button accordion
Although Wallinger rips off large chunks of other songs (mostly Beatles and Stones - at least he steals from the best!), the resulting songs have their own personality. At times, World Party sounds like certain other bands - but no other band sounds quite like World Party.
Finally, the show realy felt like a celebration. The crowd was a mix - lots of 40 years+ (not just me!) and young kids, gays and straights, a smattering of non-whites. With the feel-good lyrics and joyous music, the ecclectic crowd really responded in a way that brought a smile to my face. Certainly, it didn't hurt that Wallinger was back on stage for the first time in several years - since a near fatal health problem.
If you like high energy pop music and this tour gets to your neighborhood, you shouldn't miss it.
Regards,
Marty