by Chris Snyder, Photos by Karl McWherter, Video by Chris Cafiero

Do you ever dream that a group of musicians would play together? The dream became a reality for many on Saturday evening as the supergroup, Voodoo Dead, graced the stage of Ardmore Music Hall.

The Funky Dawgz Brass Band opened up the night with a powerful set that included crowd participation during “When The Saints Coming March In” and a stellar New Orleans style of The Eurythmics classic, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” 

As the band walked onto the stage in front of the sold out crowd they started into a funky version of “You’re The One” that was highlighted by guitar wizard, Steve Kimock, and a rip -roaring solo by keyboardist virtuoso, Jeff Chementi.  Clocking in at about twenty minutes, the all-star musicians were just warming up. Paying homage to the great Bob Dylan, “It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry,” the band slowed it down a tad and invited Shreveport, Louisiana native, Papa Mali to the stage to showcase his guitar skills and vocals. Bringing the six song hour plus first set to an end was another Dylan gem, “Highway 61 Revisited.” 

As the patrons filtered back in after the intermission, “Congo Man Chant” started off the second half on the right foot. Jackie Greene and Jeff Chimenti both sat at the keyboard trading off back and forth. You could tell at this point in the evening the music was flowing like wine. Smiling from ear to ear Oteil Burbridge, smoothly played a funky bass line during”Iko Iko” as Wally Ingram kept the groove going with his unique style of drumming. The second half of the set is where the six musicians shined during jaw dropping versions of “Bertha” and a Jackie Greene led “Loose Lucy.” 

With three plus hours of music under their belt Voodoo Dead sent the Ardmore audience dancing into the night with the fan favorite, “Turn On Your Lovelight.” 

Throughout the performance you could feel that music was not only flowing from the musicians instruments but their hearts.

Set I: https://youtube.com/watch?v=XsKDBgEHBnw

Set II: https://youtube.com/watch?v=AU3o-O76Bms

Audio: Chris Cafiero & Rich Stoler

https://archive.org/details/voodoodead2017-02-12.matrix.cafiero.flac16