Don’t be surprised if the guy playing saxophone for the SongCatchers looks familiar when they open for the Neville Brothers Wednesday at Ravinia. That’s because Charles Neville is pulling double duty, playing New Orleans funk with brothers Art, Aaron and Cyril and mixing Native American music with various contemporary styles with the SongCatchers.
While the Neville Brothers are approaching their 20th anniversary as a band, each of the four principals has outside projects. Aaron has a very successful solo career, while Art works with the re-formed Meters and Cyril has his Uptown All-Stars group.
The SongCatchers’ new “Dreaming In Color” album is a rainbow stew of traditional Native American powwow music, rock, funk, hip-hop and jazz. The group also includes Lara Lavi (an attorney for Washington State’s Muckleshoot Indians), Native Americans Arlie Neskahi and Mark Smith of the White Eagle Singers, bassist Maurice Jones Jr., and keyboardist Mark Cardenas, a veteran of the R&B group the Time.
In a time when tripe like the recent No. 1 country hit “Indian Outlaw” continues to promote dated stereotypes, Native American artists like John Trudell, Bill Miller and the SongCatchers are doing their part to educate America through music.
“I wasn’t that familiar with Native American music at first,” said Neville, who was recruited for the group by vocalist Lavi, whom he had previously worked with. “After talking to Arlie and listening to tapes he sent me, I began to realize that their chanting was more like scat singing. Each type of song has a particular melody and rhythm. The rhythms used had subtle differences, too. Native American music may appear to be different from other types of American music-jazz, rock, blues-but in reality they’re all trying to do the same thing: to express something that’s inside.”
One of the notable tracks on “Dreaming In Color” is Neville’s recitation, “History 101.” The song ties together the parallel histories of Native Americans and African Americans and their subjugation by the Europeans who settled North America. The song also talks about the era when Indians and Africans would congregate in New Orleans’ Congo Square, where they would express themselves in music and dance. One of the few remaining traces of those cultural exchanges are the city’s colorful Mardi Gras Indian “tribes.”
“The SongCatchers as a group is a mixture: people from different Native American tribes, Jewish-Americans, African-Americans, Irish-Americans and Italian-Americans,” said Neville. “There are all these apparent differences, but it’s all really the same thing. And I think that’s reflected in the SongCatchers’ music itself.”
As for the Neville Brothers, whose summerlong tour will include a performance at Woodstock ’94 next week, Charles says their special chemistry is what keeps them united as a group.
“What’s required in playing music is for the musicians to be able to link spiritually and emotionally with each other,” he said. “And that’s much easier for us as a family than it is playing with other people. We’ve all played with other people, and some of the things we’ve done have been wonderful. But there’s always something special about the spiritual connection we have as the Neville Brothers.”
Other concerts of note
Shootyz Groove, Friday at Avalon: When it comes to fusing hip hop and hard rock, New York City’s Shootyz Groove walk the walk and talk the talk. The band’s new “Jammin In Vicious Environments” deals with such themes as respect and non-violence, though the music never lacks for a slammin’ groove or bracing wash of metallic guitar. Also appearing are Murphy’s Law and International Hoodwink.
“Alpine Jamboree,” Friday at Alpine Valley in East Troy, Wis.: Call this exceptional assemblage of talent the country version of Lollapalooza, featuring Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Asleep at the Wheel. Jennings ought to preview some material from his upcoming “Waymore’s Blues (Part II)” album, which was produced by Don Was. Nelson and western swing specialists Asleep at the Wheel are dependable performers, but what makes this show special is the inclusion of still-vital legends Haggard and Wynette. If you want to see a scaled-down version of that show, Nelson, Jennings and Asleep at the Wheel will also play Sunday at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Ind.
Rosanne Cash, Saturday at Park West: A couple of years ago Rosanne Cash made a left turn away from country music, where she had scored such No. 1 hits as “Runaway Train” and “If You Change Your Mind.” The resulting album, “The Wheel,” which also came after her divorce from Rodney Crowell, is a sublime example of what is now called “adult alternative” music. If you like Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan, you might want to check out Cash.
Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Saturday at Buddy Guy’s Legends: A longtime mainstay of Washington, D.C.’s, Nighthawks, blues-rock guitarist Jimmy Thackery now has a promising solo career. On his fine new “Trouble Man” album, one can hear echoes of Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy in his playing, but the fire comes directly from Thackery himself. Fans of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan ought to appreciate Thackery.
Los Lobos, Tuesday at Ravinia: From forays into traditional Mexican music and classic R&B to the adventurous turn on their last album, “Kiko,” Los Lobos has repeatedly proved to be one of the great American rock bands. Like an East L.A. version of the Band, they have the unique ability to write songs that immediately sound like timeless classics.
Youssou N’Dour, Tuesday at the Vic: It was Peter Gabriel who first introduced Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour to pop audiences. Since then N’Dour has toured the world for Amnesty International and recorded a string of albums, such as his current “The Guide,” that have taken his percussion-heavy Afro-Pop style out of the narrow confines of the “world music” genre.
Jackson Browne and John Hiatt, Wednesday at Poplar Creek: On his latest album, “I’m Alive,” Jackson Browne returned his attention to affairs of the heart rather than political and social causes. It’s a welcome return that harks back to his classic material on the “For Everyman” and “Late For the Sky” albums 20 years ago. Opening is Chicago favorite John Hiatt, whose “Incredible Shrinking Tour” in February had him playing successively smaller Chicago venues on four consecutive nights.
John Gorka, Wednesday at Schubas: John Gorka is overdue to burst out of the “new folk” genre and into the larger pop market. His wonderful new album, “Out of the Valley,” seems like a good bet to bring this singer-songwriter wider acclaim, and the proof is in the songs. The 12 gems feature musical support from famous fans like Kathy Mattea and Mary-Chapin Carpenter, but in the end John Gorka succeeds on his own vast talent. A don’t-miss show.
The Rollins Band, Helmet and Sausage, Thursday at the Aragon: Tattooed love boy Henry Rollins and band return to assault audiences with punk-funk and polemics. Helmet are the metal-hater’s metal band, bringing a wide range of stylistic influences to bear on their otherwise bone-crunching music. Opener Sausage is a side project of Primus bassist Les Claypool.
