Live music photography
Bootsy Collins is an undisputed Funk God–and more. He’s played with James Brown, George Clinton, Axiom Funk and many other great lineups and now he’s claimed a new prize: our hearts. Bootsy put on one of the best concerts we’ve ever seen–funk or otherwise–at Tipitinas in New Orleans. The cover charge was shockingly high for low cover charge new Orleans: $40. At Tips! We paid it gladly. Would everyone else? Have a peek:
Breathing room only. DJ Soul Sister, the Queen of Rare Groove, was on hand to grease up the crowd and like all of her shows, she delivered–when we arrived, they were properly lubricated and ready for Bootsy! At Tips, he was backed by a seriously tight band, that sounded like they’d played together every day for years (which they haven’t, for the most part). Three basses (including Bootsy):
Gorgeous singers (Watch out! The lady with the seriously awesome hair is Bootsy’s wife!):
Mad trombone:
Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar, trumpet, and multiple sets of keys stacked ceiling high–Yes, friends, that’s Bernie Worrell, musical prodigy (playing piano by age three), founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic, funk star, rock star, de facto member of the Talking Heads…and when you’re dancing your ass off to Tear the Roof off the Sucker, remember that it’s Bernie’s Minimoog that’s sending you to the ER.
Bootsy’s first costume is Saints Black and Gold and the crowd goes crazy:
Next up: pink and blue:
Over three hours of music (20+ songs), multiple Bootsy-cations into the crowd, and two more costume changes later, we were stunned. Glowing. Funkified. Bootsy-ed:
Check out the rest of the pictures in the slideshow below or click through to the gallery:
and be sure to check out Bootsy’s new album:
Funk Capital of the World
And watch out for Bootsy in your town. We might see you there!