THE ROOTS ARE WELL EOUIPPED FOR THE LIVE ARENA
ame theory
Hip hop in the live arena can be a hit or miss affair. Mark Edmundson learns to embrace the good, brush off the bad and avoid the ugly.
remember as an impressionable young slip of a lad witnessing the abhorrent spectacle of two female rappers destroying their current hit to an unmoved huddle of Top oft/1e Pops teenyboppers. (‘ertainly l was appalled at the sight. and more so the sound. Despite this and other early televisual setbacks i would become a devotee of popular hip hop as my
early teens beckoned. but with there being no flood of
urban acts pouring through (‘arlisle‘s nightspot. a strongly held belief that hip hop could not he adequately recaptured live would prevail.
Of course I was quite wrong. Hip hop had been born in the live arena of freestyle ciphers and toasting at block parties. but the very things that had drawn tne to hip hop so often appeared to he overlooked in its offering of two turntables and a microphone. The lush. thrilling soul and jam. hooks would he lost under the all-pervasive crunched beats that would in turn negate lyrical dexterity in favour of hoarse shout—outs. In time I would get the message: hip hop is very much a direct and immediate art form and should he experienced as such. if you are prepared to tread carefully.
llaving conquered the world. hip hop now has an old guard. a host of artists we fans will turn out for simply
to he able to say that we saw them live. if a couple of
decades alter their contribution to the canon. The old school can prove a risky bet. representing as they do a time when just to he seeing hip hop was enough. With their names already made. the likes of Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane can be content in simply showing tip. trotting out a few old favourites between sortie call
and response with the audience. as long as they‘re still bringing in the benjamins. Now that hip hop really is big industry the big
players seem to better accept the importance of putting on a show. he it through the raz/le-dal/le of
Kanye West. the guest-tastic spectacle of Jay—7. or the damnable lunacy of The Beastie Boys. For me the hot ticket still has to he those with something to prove. the local. underground or upcoming acts. or simply those who exude an obvious love of the inusic: the likes of Ugly Duckling. insistent on starting a party. lidan determined to bring a philosophy and performance or latter day hip hop behemoth The Roots who offer the best of both worlds in (ilasgow this fortnight.
The Roots. lest we forget. are in essence a hand and as such are well equipped for the live arena. They‘re also hugely popular after l7 years and seven albums proper. bttt whether it‘s leading the group through audience to stage as a marching hand for a Hurricane Katrina benefit or packing a Radio (‘ity Music Hall to the rafters with surprise guests. there is always a thoughtfulness to their music and performance.
And it is this aspect that is key. It is the love of the music and not themselves that ensures a rollicking show. While mainstream hip hop trades on its ego. should you uncover a more self-effacing outfit you
just might find something worth telling the
grandchildren about.
The Roots, Carling Academy, Glasgow, Sun 17 Dec.
:2; Snow Patrol and Elbow
Who would have thought that they'd end up packing out this joint? Not them, that’s for sure. Couldn't have happened to nicer fellas. SECC, Glasgow. Sat 76 Dec.
7524? The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Alex may be long gone but the legend of Vambo lives on with the original members giving the peerless back catalogue a rumble up for the festive season. See preview, page 80. ABC, Glasgow, Thu 14 Dec.
Ii": Boogaloo Bothy Achiteq are the live attraction at this excellent night of bubbling electronic peculiarity. Henry's Cellar Bar. Glasgow, Fri 75 Dec. 2?: Gimme Shelter James Yorkston, Francis McDonald and Down the Tiny Steps head a line-up of quality turns for this charity show. Mono, Glasgow. Sun 77 Dec.
93"? The Roots See preview, left. Carling Academy, Glasgow. Sun 17 Dec.
33‘ We Are The Physics Frantic. scratchy posy-punkisms have been done to death we know but this mob are excellent. we assure you. See preview, page 81. King Tut’s, Glasgow, Tue 19 Dec.
Ir‘ii Joe Strummer Tribute The annual celebration of the life and work of the Clash man. King Tut's, Glasgow, Fri 22 Dec. Uncle John & Whitelock This week we say farewell to another bunch as UJ&W down tools and pack their bags for sunnier climes. Their scattergun blues will be missed. King Tut’s, Glasgow, Sat 23 Dec.
Desalvo, Kong, Kobai, The Phantom Band and Frightened Rabbit A novel way of ringing in the New Year with everything from blugeoning metal to folksy gentility on two stages. Barfly, Glasgow. Sun 37 Dec.
‘.1 [its~ :)ll()(l"1Jilll:2()()l' THE LIST 79