In an age of acrimony and anger, it is refreshing to hear the baritone voice of Gregory Porter bringing messages reconciliation and hope that can only come from a worldview inculcated by his church background, as both his music and message Friday night at Royce Hall. Even the title of his latest album, All Rise, reflects his attitude of taking the optimism and hope of a Sunday service and bringing to the assembled who listened to inspired and inspiring themes and sounds.
His simpatico team of Chip Crawford/p, Andre Jay/B3, Jahmal Nichols/b, Emanuel Harrold/dr and Tivo Pennicott/ts was able to mix bluesy Sunday morning sounds to s upport Porters’s warm and assuring voice that mixes the best of Nat ‘King’ Cole and Marvin Gaye on swaying tunes like the op timistic “Love Is Overrated” , “Hey Laura” and “Insanity”. Where most male vocalists exude steaming sensuality on romantic tunes, Porter reflects protection and assurance, particularly on the intimate duet with Crawford on “Imitation of Life”.
With Porter, the gospel groove is never far away, and he preached from the pulpit along with the Baptist wail of Pennicott’s tenor on the historical tour of his youth during “On My Way To Harlem” or the revival hand-clapping during “Liquid Spirits”. Even the tunes that aren’t directly related to Scripture were filled with biblical themes during the 90 minute set with references to afflicted ones, resting in the garden and coming to the table. Most riveting of all was when Porter told a sermonette of love and forgiveness in the riveting testimony of “Take Me To The Alley” that mixed lyrical musicality with the eternal message of laying one’s life for your enemies, a theme that could be spread around in the political world.
As all great Sunday mornings close, Porter and company ended the evening with an altar call, with his participatory “You Can Join My Band” showing in the godly world of Porter, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, man or woman, just love and hope, showing the best way to fight the hatred of the airwaves is still through the eternal and swinging trio of faith, hope and love.
Upcoming shows at Royce Hall include Ladysmith Black Mambazo 02/20, Omar Sosa’s Aguas Trio 02/28 and Charlie Parker at 100 with Rudresh Mahanthappa