By Deb Kloeden, Rock At Night’s Adelaide correspondent in Melbourne
Venue: Bird’s Basement, Melbourne, 22nd July 2017
American Jazz/Soul/R&B crooner, PJ MORTON and his band, have been playing all last week in Melbourne’s intimate Jazz dining venue, Bird’s Basement. I went along to the early session Saturday night to find a packed house, enjoying a meal prior to the show.
New Orleans based PJ Morton has some solid experience behind him, having performed with STEVIE WONDER and is best known as one of the keyboardist for MAROON 5. PJ is in Australia to promote his a new album, ‘Gumbo’, which formed the basis of his show. His style is incredibly versatile, ranging from true New Orleans Jazz to rhythm and dub. He gave Bob Marley’s ‘Is this love’ a real dub flavour which was very popular with the crowd.
PJ played both the piano and keyboard, while seducing the crowd with his charming personality. He was joined on stage by two backing vocalists, bass and lead guitarists and a drummer. Together they produced a full, layered sound.
He has included a second cover on his new album. Bee Gees song ‘How Deep is Your Love’ is artfully given a soul flavour, which had everyone swaying to the music. This song was played last, but the crowd wasn’t going to let him go too easily. So the band returned and seemed to fall into a spontaneous jam session after a patron requested ‘Everything’s gonna be alright’. PJ cleverly worked the words and led the band on an experimental journey to finish a very special evening.
With the Melbourne shows now complete, PJ Morton is returning to the US and Europe for an extensive tour. Be sure to catch him if you can.
Tour Dates
Jul 26 – Voodoo Room – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
Jul 27 – The Roxy – Los Angeles, CA
Jul 30 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
Aug 01 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
Aug 02 – Nectar – Seattle, WA
Aug 08 – El Club – Detroit, MI
Aug 09 – Promontory – Chicago, IL
Aug 12 – Zanzabar – Louisville, KY
Aug 13 – Mercy Lounge – Nashville, TN
Aug 15 – 1884 Lounge @ Minglewood Plaza – Memphis, TN
Aug 17 – House of Blues – Cambridge Room – Dallas, TX
Aug 18 – RAS DAY FEST – Austin, TX
Aug 20 – House of Blues – Bronze Peacock – Houston, TX
Aug 23 – The WorkPlay Theatre – Birmingham, AL
Aug 24 – Vinyl – Atlanta, GA
Aug 25 – Motorco – Durham, NC
Aug 26 – Capital Ale House – Richmond, VA
Aug 27 – The Hamilton – Washington, DC
Aug 29 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
Aug 30 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
Sep 01 – Windjammer – Isle Of Palms, SC
Sep 23 – Fasching – Stockholm, Sweden
Sep 24 – London Hideaway – London, United Kingdom
Sep 26 – BIZZ’ART – Paris, France
PHOTO GALLERY
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From Darkroom to Lightroom in 4 decades.
Deb is aPhotographer, Music Lover, Ex teacher, and traveller.
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