Music

Average White Band at Ford Auditorium

The Average White Band's music recalls the idea behind the old Carmel's song, 'A little bit of soul will take the pain away." It's like a drug that eliminates all downed out feelings leaving the senses keen and eager.

To a sold out Ford Auditorium the AWB presented their special brand of 'scotch & soul,' energetically inspiring the 'If ya got it, shake it" element in the crowd. By the time AWB played their current #1 single "Pick up the Pieces," you couldn't find more happy dancing people on any dance floor.

They covered material from their most recent album as well as two new numbers off their next one. As tight as the music is on record, seeing the energetic and spontaneous interaction between group members combined with the high quality of their playing greatly enhances the good time feelings that are central to AWB's music. The lead vocal team of Hamish Stuart (vocals, guitar) and Alan Gorrie (vocals, bass) almost matches Sam and Dave's, but like the best soul bands, AWB is a group. At the same time Stuart's soaring falsetto draws attention, it is providing a basis for the band to back up and solo from. When the others join Stuart and Gorrie on vocals, a sound recalling early Temptations and the versatile harmonies of the Persuasions is created.

"Pick up the Pieces" was an obvious choice to end their set and they extended it to provide ample soloing including fine sax work from Molly Duncan and an impomptu bump between Hamish Stuart and the new drummer. Two encores later AWB sent the crowd home with a version of Marvin Gaye's "Heard It Through the Grapevine" that paid homage to their musical inspiration and the Motor City which spawned it. It was a great party. The best comment on their music and popularity was from a fan backstage after the show who said, "it's good to get some good vibes for a change."

Mike Malloy