PBS at Mangy Moose; Furtado plays Knotty Pine

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-The powerful New Orleans vibe continues this week with one of the funkiest rock trios on Earth - PBS, comprised of bassist George Porter Jr., drummer Russell Batiste Jr., and guitarist Brian Stoltz. They rocked Targhee Fest back in summer 2005 and have since put on some incredible performances at the Knotty Pine and beyond. If your sweetie likes funk, they’ll be making their first of two appearances on Valentine’s Day at the Mangy Moose.

These three players have an undeniable musical language among them and a stage presence that naturally lends itself to a positive room vibe. And while it has progressed over the years, it was really funk at first sight.
“The first time we worked together we realized that we had a real rapport in the studio,” Stoltz said. “It was just like turning on a faucet. When you have chemistry like that you have to take advantage.”

Porter is a founding member of The Meters, the legendary instrumental group that defined New Orleans funk-rock. The later incarnation of band, which was re-named the Funky Meters, added Batiste and Stoltz to the mix and the newfound partnerships began.

Stoltz played with the Neville Brothers throughout the ’80s. Organist Art Neville asked him to join The Funky Meters in 1994. After 14 years with the band, Stoltz made the decision to leave after weighing in his creative options.

“It was under good terms, as best as it could be,” Stoltz said of his departure. “When I joined the band I questioned whether it was going to be a continuation of playing old [Meters] material, or was this going to be a new band creating new music. It never turned into that, and I needed to trim away things that were dead weight.”

PBS has released two albums: their 2005 debut studio effort and a live recording from the All Good Music Festival in Masontown, West Virginia on July 13, 2007, “Expanding the Universe.” After listening to the discs, it’s evident that these fellas still harvest their share of creative juices. Sure, the music of The Meters is classic material and you’ll probably hear a tease or two from that era, but the forward momentum that drives this trio is instinctual and intuitive.

“PBS is very creative at the moment,” Stoltz said. “The three of us come from three different roots, but there’s just something about it that really works.”
Don’t miss your two chances to catch this groovy trio - at 10 p.m. on Thursday (Valentine’s Day) and Friday at the Mangy Moose in Teton Village. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 day of show. Check out mangymoose.net, porterbatistestoltz.com, or call 733-9779 for more information.

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Tony Furtado makes his annual visit this week with a new album to show off, “Thirteen,” released last month on Funzalo Records. Furtado gathered a slew of studio heavyweights for the recording. Furtado once again embraced his singer-songwriter side after taking time off from the road to write and record.

The banjo prodigy realized his desire to sing and write tunes just a few years back with the 2004 release of “These Chains.” If you’ve seen Furtado perform, you know that his virtuosity isn’t just on the banjo, with guitar and slide guitar being utilized just as much, if not more.

He’ll be traveling with fellow label mates The Mother Truckers, who were named Best Roots-Rock Band at the Austin Music Awards. I caught these guys a few months ago in the Bay Area, and they’ve got some real stage energy and a sound that lives on the twangy edge of country-rock.

The quartet is led by husband and wife songwriting duo Josh Zee and Teal Collins, who share lead and harmony vocal duties and both wield guitars. Zee struts the lead guitar role in fine fashion, with a special knack for bringing a country backbeat with plenty of flair.

Tony Furtado and The Mother Truckers will take stage at 10 p.m. on Sunday at the Knotty Pine in Victor. Tickets are $15 at the door, and the restaurant-bar can be reached at 208-787-2866.

Courtesy photo
The Mother Truckers

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PBS at Mangy Moose; Furtado plays Knotty Pine | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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