May 24–31, 2001

music picks|rock/pop

Papa Grows Funk

Don’t infer that Hammond B-3 boss John Gros’ band Papa Grows Funk sounds like the greasy groove of the Neville family’s Funky Meters ensemble. It may be meant as a compliment, but Papa Grows Funk may very well be the au courant toast of Tipitina’s. The all-star PGF ensemble may well co-star Meters drummer Russell Batiste (who also plays in local legend George Porter Jr.’s band with Gros) and wild Wild Magnolias guitarist June Yamagishi. But Gros’ rough round organ sound pours the bourbon into Bourbon Street, pulling winsome but powerful dark jazz loops into the crosscutting rhythmic fray. With raunchy, broke-dick saxophone (courtesy of ex-Galactic guy Jason Mingledorff) and popped-bass funk, the sound of PGF— as heard on Doin’ It— is an oddly modern, asymmetrical, lonely blues-jazz wail that threatens joyful noise at every turn.

—A.D. Amorosi

Wed., May 30, 9 p.m., with Eitan Brown’s Six Pack, at The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888, advance tickets available at the bar or UpStages 215-569-9700, $8, $10 day of show.