5 Sept 2009

GigSpot: Chic | Kentish Town Forum


We went along to catch a rare performance by Chic at the Kentish Town forum in London and were treated to a great night of funktitude.

The sound in the forum is not the best - it is quite echoey - But that could not take away from the fantastic music and musicians that Rodgers has surrounded himself with.

On this occasion Chic was made up of two keyboard players (one of which was Cherie Mitchell), a drummer, a saxophonist, a trumpet player, two female singers (Kimberly Davis and Melissa Jimenez), bassist (Jerry Barnes) and Rodgers on guitar. Everyone on stage was tight and the vocals were exceptional - delivered with genuine enjoyment. We love a good bassist and Jerry Barnes was great; plucking, slapping and grooving his way through those signature basslines with gusto.



This gig provided a splendid moment of musical enlightenment for us because, as the night progressed, we came to realise Nile Rodgers and (the late) Bernard Edwards have been behind so many of the great funk and soul tracks that we love (and you'll hear on VibeRide) but didn't know they wrote - amazing! Every gig you learn something new.

We now know that they have written and produced albums for Sister Sledge (all their hits) and Diana Ross (Upside Down, I'm Coming Out); and written for David Bowie (Let's Dance, China girl, Modern Love), Debbie Harry and countless others. Rodgers also produced Madonna's first number one 'Like a virgin' and worked with Duran Duran on their 'Notorious' album. We now see that Rodgers' and Edwards' influence on funk and soul music throughout the 70's and 80's cannot be underestimated.

Rodgers and Edwards met in 1970 and worked together in various bands until a split in 1983. They wrote songs, performed and produced music for themselves and others. For Chic, Rodgers played guitar while Edwards plays the incredibly catchy bass lines that are so recognisable. Imitation is the highest form of flattery and Rogers and Edwards tunes have been sampled and mixed by many. Modjo's dance hit 'Lady' and The Sugarhill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight' are two of the most well known examples. They continued to create and produce music separately over the intervening years, joining together again in 1992. Tragically, Edwards died of pneumonia whilst on tour with Rodgers and others in Japan in 1996. Despite the loss, Chic live on.

We urge you to take any opportunity to see Chic live. It's a funk experience you'll never forget.

Setlist:

Everybody Dance - (Rodgers and Edwards)
Dance, Dance, Dance, (Yowser yowser yowser) - (R & E)
I Want Your Love - (Rodgers and Edwards)
I'm Coming Out - (R & E, originally performed by Diana Ross)
Upside Down - (written by R & E, originally performed by Diana Ross)
He's The Greatest Dancer - (R & E for Sister Sledge)
We are family - (R & E for Sister Sledge)
Soup for One - (R & E)
Lady (hear me tonight) - (sampled from 'Soup for One' by Modjo)
Spacer - (R & E, performed by Sheila B. and Devotion)
Like A Virgin - (produced by Rodgers for Madonna)
Thinking Of You - (R & E for Sister Sledge)
Let's Dance - (produced by Rodgers for David Bowie)
Chic Cheer - (R & E)
My Forbidden Lover - (R & E)
Le Freak - (R & E)

Encore

Good Times - (R & E)
Rappers Delight - (Sugarhill Gang and R & E)

Lots more videos from this amazing night!

Late arrival: A great set of photos here, courtesy of Simon Green and Nile Rogers Productions.

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