Posted on 05/14/2008

On Monday The Roots taped a special VH1 Soul Sessions show in mid-town Manhattan.  I was on hand to snap a few photos, but mostly I was on baby-duty.  (Big thanks to Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for Vh1 Soul for the 1st five photos in this article).  Whenever anyone in the band has one of their little ones in town, it usually falls on me or Goodtimegirl to babysit during the show.  Although this may seem like somewhat of a chore, it's truly a delight!  Kiddies love them some Roots, and watching their joy helps you view the show through brand new eyes too.  And of course, any Roots baby has crazy rhythm so we can both get our dance on side-stage a bit.

 

The Roots taped maybe 8 songs, of which I believe VH1 chooses 5 to broadcast.  The show is slated to air Wednesday June 4th so set your TiVOs.  I won't ruin the set list, but the pics may give some of it away.  There was some Rising Up action going on, and in addition a chance to hear your favorite rapper sing!  Yup, he sangs too!!   If you've seen any Roots shows lately you've been priveleged to see Black Thought get James Brown funky on the mic, displaying his amazing vocal talent alongside his usual tongue-twisting barrage of rap genius.  In addition to The Roots proper, they brought along James Poyser on keys and the Jeff Bradshaw horns featuring Matt Cappy and LaMont Caldwell.

 

After the filming, we chilled backstage for a bit. The guys ate their Virgils (most-bangin' BBQ in mid-town), and good friends stopped by to say hi, like writer Greg Tate pictured below with ?uesto, and Donwill and Von Pea from Tanya Morgan.

 

?uesto chose to save his appetite for the high-brow hipster-infused dining experience of Williamsburg's "Diner."  I thought I was actually hipping him to a quality restaurant he didn't know about, but sure enough, once we walk in he's like "aww this is my regular shit!"  One of his b.f.f.'s, actress Annabella Sciorra , lives nearby.  ?uesto quickly rings her up, and soon she's joined us for a slamming dinner.

 

A few drinks, and a full belly later, we decide the night is still young.  I mention my regular Monday night joint, a bar (and restaurant) called Black Betty that hosts one of the most amazing gospel bands ever (yes, I said gospel!) The Reverend Vince Anderson And His Love Choir .  The band features Jaleel Bunton from TV On The Radio on guitar (he drums for TVOTR), Torbitt Schwartz from Chin Chin (go get that Chin Chin cd in stores now, out on Def Jux!), and Moist Paula on Bari Sax (from the band Moisturizer ), along with Dave Smith on trombone, with the Rev on vocals and keys.  ?uesto and the gang think it sounds fun, and since it's only blocks away we decide to roll through.

Once in the packed-out club we are all feeling the bluesy-funk-infused-gospel vibe.  Hips are shaking, folks are sweaty, and everyone's face has a smile on it.  After a few songs, (and a Bailey's on the rocks for Mr. Afro) I ask him if he'd want to sit in.  He says "yeah, I'll do it!" and I instantly run up on the band to make that happen.  Needless to say, ?uesto killed it on the drums to Johnny Cash's "Water Into Wine" and had the joint jumpin' with the crowd going nuts (and this was a small club, packed at maybe 60 people).  The night ended with a funkdafied version of "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand" (which you know from Diana Ross).  All in all, a great time was had by everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- gingerlynn

*Big thanks to Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for Vh1 Soul for the first five photos in this article!