Live Review: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station

When you go to a gig and really feel it, with a 300+ audience feeling it too, you are definitely at a Graham Central Station gig. The American funk (and serious soul) band, named after founder Larry Graham (who made his fame in Sly & the Family Stone) certainly knew how to get a crowd whooping for them at The Basement. There were long-haired photographers in the front row who couldn't keep their cameras straight when Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself rocked the house. It was a packed room, with no support bands, and Graham Central Station led the entire night, with Graham's slap bass (which he is credited with inventing) making the room sing.

There was nowhere to move when the funk got going on Release Yourself.  Serious bass guitar. One woman was so involved she almost leapt onto the stage with her iPhone recording. Graham not only invited her onto the stage, but also took her phone in his hand and recorded the band, then graciously gave it back. Other songs that made the full capacity crowd groove were Dance To The Music and One In A Million You.

When sitting within singing distance of the incredibly dapper electronic pianist, the treble was palpable, and Graham, in his distinctive white suit and hat studded in diamantes, made bass guitar an artform. Even for ignorant musos, they tore the house apart – and then fed it to us. Brilliant. Go see this band. Take your family. GO.