Free flow groove and funk always comes from musicians willing to think outside of the proverbial box, but on 11/24/04 The Bridge found themselves in a different kind of box as they used Baltimore’s premiere live venue, “The Funk Box,” as their very own visual launching pad. There is an inherent risk with DVD productions because unlike music, they beg for the consumer to take the time to not only listen but watch, and while Live at the Funk Box offers a very professional package filled with explosive and exploratory performances, the medium still feels like a gamble for a band still planting its musical roots across the country. The DVD ultimately becomes a calling card for The Bridge, a tangible sentient statement on their musical expertise, their unique sound, and a road map for where one of the hot new acts on the jam rock circuit is headed. Using elements of rock, funk, jazz, bluegrass, and even the occasional beat box, they stir up a memorable musical stew to the fans fortunate enough to be boxed in Baltimore on this particular night.
The production value, while moderately scaled in terms of menu, structure and sound options, does an excellent job of capturing the band’s spontaneity and eclectic feel, especially Chris Jacobs' driving guitar riffs and Adam Iorfida’s edgy alto sax. Even with such a concentration on guitar and sax, the disc also shines the spotlight equally on each member’s individual style, personality, and overall flow throughout the performance. While the disc has no obvious sound options, the tunes blast through crystal clear, and the vivid pictures provide an energetic feel to the production. Even with very few solo and instrument close-ups, the cameras do an excellent job of taking in the entire scope and sound of the night and it’s obvious throughout the show that The Bridge feels comfortable at this venue with their hometown fans cheering them on with each tune.
The opener, a lightning bolt little number entitled “Superfunk” starts out slow with bassist Ryan Porter and drummer Paul Weinberg setting a solid groove. Kenny Liner takes an impressive solo on electric mandolin, and the tune eventually picks up steam and melts into a traditional funk fueled rhythm packed with bendy guitar licks and grinding alto sax riffs. Jacobs steers the next tune, a slamgrassy free flow called “Good Rhythm,” with his hearty vocals, but “Coming Home” highlights one of their best packaged tunes with solid lyrics, catchy melodies, and distinctive improvisation. Other highlights include the slow southern rock flare of “Firing Line,” the complex transitions the band makes from “Get Out While You Can” into the rockabilly romp “Station Blues”, and the inventive beat box stylings of Kenny Liner on “Drop the Beat,” which further defines The Bridge’s versatility and playfulness.
As for extras, the rambunctious jam spanning three different tunes “Jomotion”> “Rising Sun”> “Jomotion”> “Brother Don’t” fully encompasses the various musical angles The Bridge covers during a long improvisational stretch. Some other extras include backstage interviews and performances like a sax warm-up with Iorfida and an acoustic beat box lick between Liner and Jacobs, while the venue information and fan interviews help to fully complete the disc as a live homespun experience.
The Bridge are sending out a message for those willing to listen and watch. Whether outside the box or inside the funk, the band’s ready to break out, to be seen and heard, to create a collective musical experience for fans everywhere, and
Live at the Funk Box” proves they are up for the challenge.
For more info see thebridgemusic.com
