Gambit Interview: Nigel Hall Talks About His New Album

The keyboardist and bandleader comes to Tipitina’s Dec. 2

Nigel Hall's record collection is reaching "Library of Congress" size. He's filled a few Ikea shelving units, though they're not quite floor-to-ceiling. "But it's 'bout to be," he says. "It's very deep. It's not something I can explain. It's next level."

"I'm very picky about what I listen to," Hall says. "I don't listen to anything past 1984. Everything else is just poo poo."

Except him, of course. "I sound like I was in 1982," he says.

Hall's latest album is November's Ladies & Gentlemen... Nigel Hall (Feel Music/Round Hill), on which the singer and keyboardist-turned-bandleader thumbs through a nostalgic stack of his favorites, from Roy Ayers to Ann Peebles, along with soul-steeped originals, like the Motown swells of lead single and album opener "Gimme a Sign." Hall recorded more than 30 songs — trimmed down to 10 for the album's final cut — a mix of retro soul, horn-peppered funk and a glimpse into the records that played a role in his childhood.

"I just want to make people happy," Hall says. "I want to take people to the places where I was when I was making the music."

Ivan Neville and drummer (and fellow crate digger) Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson of The Roots guest on Hall's rich, layered take on the Isley Brothers' "Lay Away."

"Drummers really listen to him — he knows how to play the drums, exactly what you need," Hall says. "He listens. He knows what the song is and what needs to be there."

Hall performs an album release party Dec. 2 at Tipitina's, "a big soul extravaganza" (with his live band, drummer Jamison Ross, bassist Eric Vogel, guitarist Derwin "Big D" Perkins, vocalists Vegas Cola and Robin Barnes and trumpeter Eric Bloom) and "the dopest show in New Orleans — at least that night," he says.

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Nigel Hall To Takeover L4LNOLA/L4LM Instagram Accounts For Album Release Party

Come tomorrow night, the one and only Nigel Hall will descend on the world-famous Tipitina's venue in New Orleans to celebrate the release of his new solo album, Ladies And Gentlemen... Nigel Hall. The performance marks the debut of this new material in the Big Easy, and will more than certainly feature support from some of the best musicians around.

Since we just can't get enough of Nigel's new tunes, we asked him to take over our Instagram accounts in honor of the run. Hall will be posting throughout the day tomorrow, as he prepares for, and performs his new material for the exciting album release party.

Follow L4LM on Instagram here and L4LNOLA on Instagram here to catch all of the action!

To purchase tickets to the Tipitina's performance, head to the venue's official website.

Nigel Hall – A Man of Funk ‘n Soul

One listen to Nigel Hall’s debut release, Ladies & Gentlemen…Nigel Hall, and it becomes obvious that the keyboardist and vocalist is way hip to the inner workings of soul and funk. The Washington, D.C. native and New Orleans resident since 2013, who performs at Tipitina’s on Wednesday, December 3, brings his knowledge and love of the genres to his original material as well as his choice of well-executed cover tunes.

“You’re going to love it because I love,” declares Hall, a passionate artist and record collector, of the gig at Tip’s. He’ll be joined by some great, like-minded musicians – his “working band” – including guitarist/vocalist Derwin “Big D” Perkins, drummer/vocalist Jamison Ross, guitarist Andrew Block, bassist Eric Vogel, trumpeter Eric “Benny” Bloom and saxophonist Chris Royal. Hall has worked with all of these guys in different configurations, notably with Big D as an “honorary” member of pianist/vocalist Jon Cleary’s Monster Gentlemen and Bloom in the group Lettuce.

When asked if Ross, who is equally talented behind the trap set and at the microphone, was going to sing, Hall was quick to answer. “Jamison will sing background. He’s not gonna steal my show,” he replied with a laugh. “We do totally different things but we have such an agreement on music and life. That’s my ace.”

At Wednesday’s record release party, the night will naturally be full of the material – plus a “Message to the Meters” segment — on the disc. And it’s a killer album from the top with Hall’s self-penned, soulful, dance-ready gem, “Gimme a Sign,” to the softer, dreamy original “Call on Me” on which Hall skillfully employs his falsetto.

Though these songs, as well as others of Hall’s composition like “Never Let You Go” are brand new, they immediately feel like old friends.

“It’s familiar, it’s like a warm hug,” Hall explains of this instant connection. “That’s what music is supposed to do. If it (a composition) doesn’t give me goose bumps by the time I’m done with it then I can’t f**k with it and I won’t let you hear it,” Hall says. “All the records I that have in my collection do that to me. At some point in the record, it gives me goose bumps. I need that feeling to be inspired.”

Continue reading at LouisianaWeekly.com