Placing a string of originals ahead of a stack of covers of classic soul and r&b fare only goes to heighten Nigel Hall’s mastery of these genres. The NOLA-based vocalist/keyboardist’s collaborations, co-written by producer Eric Krasno, hold up well alongside solid journeyman covers of the Isley Brothers’ “Lay Away”, Latimore’s “Let’s Straighten It Out” and a decidedly N’arlens-flavored take on the Ann Peebles hit “I Can’t Stand The Rain”. The Isleys emerge again, as a probable influence on the breezy original “Too Sweet” and the vibe of the Impressions-era Curtis Mayfield likely energizes “Never Gonna Let You Go”. The leadoff track, “Gimme A Sign”, shouts out for airplay.
PopDose Album Review: Ladies & Gentlemen… Nigel Hall
As I wrote in my piece last week about Allen Toussaint, I prepared for a trip to New Orleans earlier this year by delving into the music of the Crescent City. A playlist I created has since ballooned to nearly 1,000 songs. My newest addition is keyboardist Nigel Hall, whose debut, Ladies & Gentlemen… Nigel Hall, was released last week. And if there’s any justice, I look forward to adding many more songs by him in the future.
Hall’s been paying his dues as a sideman and studio musician with an impressive array of names in the jam band world, like Warren Haynes, Roosevelt Collier and Eric Krasno’s bands, Soulive and Lettuce. But don’t let that fool you, because none of the songs are under six minutes. Still, with those credentials, it’s unsurprising to find that he has an exceptional command of jazz-inflected old-school R&B and funk.
How old-school is he? The first song, “Gimme a Sign,” features an electric sitar, while breezy horns accentuate “Never Gonna Let You Go.” His preferred keyboard sounds are the Hammond organ and a Fender Rhodes. The expected touchstones are present: the greasy funk of the Meters (“Don’t Change for Me,” “Hang It Up,”), some Isley Brothers slow jams (“Too Sweet,” “Call on Me”) and, especially in Hall’s excellent vocals throughout the record, Stevie Wonder.
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All-Star Cast Of Lettuce, Nth Power Members Support Nigel Hall For Album Release Party
Last night marked the all-star album release party for Nigel Hall's brand new LP, Ladies & Gentlemen... Nigel Hall at the intimate Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, NY.
Hall recruited members of Lettuce and The Nth Power for the occasion, with Adam "Shmeeans" Smirnoff on guitar, Eric Krasno on bass, Adam Deitch on drums, Weedie Braimah on percussion, Ryan Zoidis and Eric "Benny" Bloom holding down the brass, and, of course, the star of the show, Nigel Hall.
The band mostly stuck to songs from Hall's new album, including the catchy single "Gimme A Sign" and the Isley Brothers' tune, "Lay Away". Marc Millman captured photos from the event, check those out at LiveForLiveMusic.com