Ringing in the New Year

For New Year's we made the jaunt to Atlanta for a serious helping of Soul Stew. Earlier in the day we visited The Happiness Factory, because what goes better with some nice hot Soul Stew than an icy cold Coke in a supercool machined aluminum bottle?

The Sun Ra Arkestra opened the show, and went a little far out in left field, which was fine because it gave us a chance to wander a bit and check out the Fabulous Fox Theatre (which really is Fabulous, by the way!).



The band took the stage and promptly began to tear the place down, opening with a blistering "Talkin' About" that would have stood my hair on end had I had any! After a couple of numbers from Susan's new album, Mike Mattison came out and they performed a couple from Derek's new album (not due to be released for a couple of weeks).



After that, it was Soul Stew to the max, with an eclectic blend of originals and covers, with the nicest surprise just before midnight being the Allman Brothers' "Dreams".



The party really took off at Midnight, when the band launched into an unexpected string of Beatles' covers, and really took it out in style.

I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year, and here you go, just remember ... PLAY IT LOUD!



~G