RAPPORT - The Modern Guide to Books, Music & More-Jan 1999

Nocentelli - Live In San Francisco

This is a fine live document of a great guitar player playing some awesome music. Leo Nocentelli has been at the core of the New Orleans music scene for many years with the group ;the Meters and now has stepped out on his own and soars above the crowd.

Nocentelli is one of the funkiest guitar players around, with groove so deep that you can dip your fingers into it and scoop it up to your lips and taste it. This is the funk of the Crescent City with it's second line backbeat and mystical lyrics.

Joining Nocentelli on this disc is the drummer from the Meters, Zig Modeliste, and the two of them make a good team. They have played together so long that they read each other's minds and just seem to have a good old time doing it. Nick Daniels on bass and Kevin Walsh on keyboards are both solid, but not in the same class as Nocentelli and Modeliste.

The songs on this album range from the sublime to the downright bizarre. Jumping from Fire on The Bayou to Qua Sera Sera and then back to Hey Pock @Way leaves ones with mental whiplash. But jump this music does. This collection of nine songs contains eight originals and they all rock.

This is the kind of music that has them dancing in the streets of New Orleans, and not just at Mardi Gras time. This is toe-tapping, foot-stomping, finger-popping, hand-clapping, get up out of your seat and dance music. If it doesn't move you, check your pulse, cause you're dead. J.P.

Dec. '98-Jan. '99
Rock & Blues News

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Leo Nocentelli
DJM Records

"Nocentelli" is Leo Nocentelli, a well-travelled fixture of the music industry. He is a guitarist, writer and composer, producer, and creator of the syncopated funk style. Some may remember him from the group THE METERS. This musician blends various influences such as blues, funk, jazz, Latin, rock, and soul/hip hop. The portfolio of this fellow is massive. Some of his over 200 songs have been recorded by giants like THE NEVILLE BROTHERS, Joe Cocker, George Duke, Albert King, ZZ Hill, Etta James, Robert Palmer, and many, many others.

His influence is seen in the Rap world by almost every artist from Ice Cube to A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, to JODECI. But his recording work is even more impressive. The list is endless. A tiny sample includes Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Robert Palmer, Lee Dorsey, THE WINANS, THE SUPREMES, Robbie Robertson, Sting, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Hornsby. Nocentelli also is involved in TV and movie music. In 1975 he toured with the ROLLING STONES, and he has travelled with many famous acts. Yet all this is background to this album.

"Nocentelli" live is a feast of long jamming, I mean his first three tunes run for almost 31 minutes! "Fire on the Bayou" is an inspired work of nice guitar playing and vocals. His second track is "People Say" and let me say, or mention his band: Leo does the vocals and the guitar but he is backed by Nick Daniels, bass and vocals, along with Zig Modeliste on drums, and Kevin Walsh on keyboards. Zig does a lead vocal here.

"Que Sera, Sera" [Whatever will Be] is a laid back tune. In places the vocal of LN? (the promo lit says N. Daniels does the lead vocal on this song) just drops, like a dying duck. Well it happens in one place and makes the song sound tired--for a moment, because all of a sudden this guy (LN) gets his guitar jamming, and it is a wild party of guitar chords. His lead just wails and sets the song on fire. I don't think there's too many hard rockers and punkers that could even begin to keep up with this inspired playing. An interesting tune.

The band really rocks on "The Hype and the Hoopla" and they sound pretty tight here. The guitar and the keyboard make for a good effect. One of the best tracks is the hot "Africa." The rhythms are fine once it gets going. The first couple of minutes start off with drums and lighter guitar riffs. It is funky, bluesy rockin-good-time sounds with hot Nocentelli vocals. Talking about funk, "Come Back Jack" really does. Again as a live tune it starts slow but the organ kicks in with a unique sound and the guitar is as sweet here as anywhere on the album. The guitar talent cranks up into a high note frenzy, better than any kid faced rocker named Eddie ever could. In places one is mindful of SANTANA. A nice bass adds much to the cut when the six-string goes nuts. A fantastic sound is created by the organ (keyboards) and that Fender guitar. Another nice long tune.

The band flows so naturally to the next song "Hey Pocky Way." This is Nocentelli at his basic best rap/sing vocs. In its own funny way this tune may be the catchiest on the CD. Yeah another great long live track.

The last cut is "Cissy Strut" with great keyboards starting off the effort. This "Cissy Strut" is the New Orleans anthem. A great tune. Unfortunately great music like this is ignored in favor of lousy swill that one hears on ESPN 2 or behind many crummy commercials obviously made by uncultured, untasteful, uneducated musical ignorants.

LIVE in San Francisco is a powerful exotic work. Great music for almost any occasion. While the music industry knows the talent of Nocentelli, and his peers appreciate his creativity, now it can be enjoyed by the public at large. Truly this concert is magical for those who appreciate great creative music. A must!

On Line Reviews / The Critical Review