Keller Williams, the musical gecko, has once again changed colors with his latest release this week, BASS. On his current musical offering, Keller steps back behind the bass guitar on the whole album showing off more of his prolific talents as a music man. With an overtone of the whimsical and lighthearted Keller you’re used to mixed with a funk-a-delicious delicacy served up Keller style. If you like funky, reggae, jazzy, psychedelic, weird and funny…you’ll LOVE this album.
Bass is the first album to be recorded with Keller’s live reggae-funk band Kdubalicious. Formed in late 2010, in addition to Keller on bass and vocals, the group features Jay Starling on keyboards and Mark D on drums
We got our hands on a copy of BASS and sat down with knife and fork to devour the main course bite by bite.
First up, “The Sun and the Moon’s Vangenda,” comes out of the gate with a light airy lilt as if to ease you into this new sound from Keller and his back up band, Kdubalicious. “Sun and Moon” will lift you up with a breezy piano line while keeping you rooted with Keller’s bass. Even the jam gives you the feeling that while the breeze may have picked up but you are safely drifting along on a Keller cloud.
Next track, “2 b u” will take you down to the islands, mon, with a reggae jazz funk. Pushing you a bit further into the land of Williams with an occasional bass punch-line.
“Hey Ho Jorge” slips you even more into the Keller Williams rabbit hole as you chase his 70’s funk bass lines and heavy wah guitar. The “I eat the funk” hook will resonate in your brain as you slow bounce along.
“I am Elvis” takes you on a musical journey into Keller’s mind as he orates on the wild thoughts going through his mind as the music evokes a Jimmy Buffett beach music feel. All the while reminding you that you’re still in Keller’s world…we’re just along for the ride.
Track 5, “Hollywood Freaks,” makes you feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of an old Black Exploitation film with heavy snare pops, a funky bass line and the thought that at any moment Shaft might come out shooting up the place or a 70’s porn star might start doing something that is def. not suitable for a younger audience. Obviously musically trying to show the dirtier side of Hollywood, Keller does so wonderfully.
“Thinking” will bend your brain sideways with a reggae beat as Keller takes you on a distorted musical observation of what could only be the perspective of someone slightly “altered” in the audience.
“High” is a love song on top but beneath is a varied bass line that shows of some of Keller’s tasty base lines with tempo changes and true funked out mini-jams.
“Buena” keeps you in that slow funk zone.
“Super Hot” gives you what you expect from Keller…funny lyrics ala “Freaker By The Speaker.” The, can’t help but sing along, hook, “for every hot girl in the front row, there’s a super insecure dude standing behind her…” reminds you why you love Keller…he’s a funny guy!
“Hobo Jungle” keeps you on the familiar Keller train with regular stops at funny station and bouncing beat junction all peppered with a jazz high hat and occasional funk bass. An excellent blend of the Keller we know and love with the funked up KDubalicious sound. “I won’t tell you honey, what your mama does for money…” Classic!
Capping it all off is “Positive.” Dipping way down into the reggae bag…and we’re not just talking musically (irie, mon), “Positive” lands you safely back down on terra firma a little weirder than when you left and probably feeling a much higher than when you pressed play on track one. BASS is best served chilled with a side of greens and a glass of something islandy!
Look for Keller on tour in 2012 in any of his various incarnations, including his newest collaboration – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams – which debuted this fall at Magnolia Fest, Voodoo Music Festival, and others. Brought together by equal parts mutual admiration and the desire to change the musical landscape while staying true to their roots, The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams are a perfect – albeit unexpected – fit. The two have a lot in common after all: their high energy, ever-evolving live shows, their individual playing prowess, and their strong and unique song writing skills. It’s a perfect marriage of instrumental virtuosos, memorable songwriting, infectious musical camaraderie, and undeniable energy. And with both acts known to bring epic and spontaneous live collaborations to theaters and festivals across America – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams take this collaborative spirit one step further, bringing something fresh and unexpected to the live stage. The first 2012 dates are announced today – a spring run in the mountains of Colorado (April 12, 13 and 14) – with more dates to be announced in the coming months.
Visit kellerwilliams.net for information and tickets.
The current list of confirmed dates is as follows:
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC KIDS Matinee
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC with Kdubalicious
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA KIDS Matinee
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA with The Pimps of Joytime and Kdubalicious
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA KIDS Matinee
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA with The Pimps of Joytime and Kdubalicious
Saturday, December 31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington NC Keller and the Keels and Kdubalicious
Monday, January 9 – Thursday, January 12 Jam Cruise 10 Fort Lauderdale FL Keller and The Keels
Friday, January 13 The Abbey Bar at ABC Harrisburg PA
Saturday, January 14 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale PA
Tuesday, January 17 New York Guitar Festival New York NY
Thursday, January 19 Harlow’s Sacramento CA
Friday, January 20 Arcata Theatre Arcata CA
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA KIDS Matinee
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sunday, January 22 Mystic Theatre Petaluma CA
Wednesday, February 1 SLO Brewing Co San Luis Obispo CA
Thursday, February 2 Coach House San Juan Capistrano CA
Friday, February 3 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA
Saturday, February 4 Club Nokia @ LA Live Los Angeles CA with moe.
Friday, February 17 Ziggy’s Winston Salem NC
Saturday, February 18 Orange Peel Asheville NC
Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 Jam in the ‘Dam, The Melkweg Amsterdam NL
Friday, April 6 Belly Up Aspen Aspen CO
Thursday, April 12 Aggie Theatre Fort Collins CO The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Friday, April 13 Boulder Theater Boulder CO The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams with Head for the Hills supporting
Saturday, April 14 Ogden Theatre Denver CO The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Sunday, April 15 McDowell Mountain Music Festival Phoenix AZ The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Tuesday, July 3 Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua Washburn WI The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams
Look for Keller Williams’ complete list of fall tour dates at kellerwilliams.net.
kellerwilliams.net
www.facebook.com/kellerwilliams
twitter.com/#!/KellerMusician
