“Tonight’s not a gig; it’s a 50th Birthday Party for our two axes!”
So declared Hammond B3er Greg Mathieson, as he teamed up with legendary guitarist Larry Carlton to celebrate their two instruments from 1969. Carlton’s classic ‘69 Gibson 335 along with Mathieson’s Nixon-era organ along with drummer Steve Ferrone and bassist Travis Carlton stuffed the Baked Potato like the club’s famous Philly Cheesesteak special with vintage and timeless grooves that hearkened back to Carlton’s early days at the club while also making musical time stand still.
Like peanut butter and jelly, the combo of the B3 and guitar was a match made in heaven, with Mathieson laying down paths like a steamroller on the easy and lazy blues of “Groove Buster” and “Greg’s Groove” that mixed the keyboardist’s nimble fingerwork with Carlton’s selection of notes, dynamics and speeds with the taste of Bobby Flay. Ferrone sizzled out hi-hat heaven and Travis supplied a supple bass line with the two going back and forth like a jai alai tournament before the two leaders slowly turned up the butanes to a rich volcanic simmer, finally climaxing on a hot lava of swing.
Mathieson’s dainty fingers lead into a misty “Night Crawler” that segued into a bass/drum combo of a funky strut, setting the stage for Carlton’s lyrical and melodic solo that ranged in dynamics from a soft and Segovia whisper to a metallic hot poker of a searing sting. All through the night, Mathieson was creating sounds out of his vintage wind machine that ranged from wild boogaloos to wailing cries of joy, particularly on the percolating “GOE.”
Gorgeous and soft tones were in abundance for the romantic “I’m Home” that had Carlton in a pastel mood before letting Travis let his fingers do the walking for the infectious lick on the ultra-hip “Put It Where You Want It” that head every head at the Potato shaking like it was Bobblehead night.
As the 90 minute party ended with the song named after his famed Gibson, Carlton took the Steely Dan-inspired “335 Blues” to use as a workshop to show that jazz can still be artistic, accessible, enjoyable, and in the hands of these giants with 100 years of instruments at their disposal, timelessly inspiring.
Carlton and Mathieson continue through Saturday. Other upcoming shows include Jerry Vivino 06/19, Bob Reynolds 06/20, Peter Erskine 06/21-22 and Carl Verheyen 06/29