student blog

The Roots Review / Brian

The Roots may just be one of the best live acts around. The band certainly brought an abundance of energy to its March 9^th performance at the Iowa Memorial Union. But that’s not the only selling point for the Philadelphia hip-hop-act-turned-late-night-house-band.  

The band members are some of the most talented musicians in the genre, from Twitter phenomenon and rhythm master Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson to guitarist “Captain” Kirk Douglas, who plays with effortless proficiency and punk rock-levels of energy. Fronting the band is Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, whose lyrical skill may just be unmatched in hip hop.

Although the band played nearly every song at a significantly increased tempo, each musician was more than capable of keeping up. The Roots also benefit from having a deep catalogue of top notch material to draw from, a selection of tracks collected from more than 20 years of music. The band opened with three tracks all from different albums, though much of the concert focused on the group’s latest release, 2010’s How I Got Over.

The band’s latest album may be its best since 2002’s Phrenology, and songs like the album’s title track and “The Fire” were brilliantly executed onstage. The band has been touring with sousaphonist Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson, and it’s remarkable to see a band, hip hop or otherwise, effectively use both a sousaphone and a bass guitar (played by Owen Biddle) as a rhythm section.

But that’s what makes The Roots so great. Nothing about the band feels traditional or ordinary, and each member always seems to be looking for ways to innovate a genre that can sometimes feel like it’s full of “me too” artists. If anyone puts on a better live show than these guys, I haven’t seen it.

— Brian Dau 

I love Questlove / Elizabeth

After feeling really sick for the past two weeks, I really needed something to bring my spirits up. Luckily, The Roots was what just what the doctor ordered!

This show was seriously off the chart. The group was extremely energized, which in return made the audience go crazy from the moment they stepped on stage.  The main rapper is so incredibly talented and makes the task of rhyming at top speeds seem like a walk in the park. I secretly wish I had the ability to rap, and after watching this show, I may just have to start learning! I also wish I could dance in a hip-hop style (as many of the interns and my friends have probably heard me say).  I think it may be easier for me to take a hip-hop class, so perhaps I’ll master the dance before the rap. ;-)

Because I’m a dork, one thing I really, really, loved was the sousaphone. I had no idea that it was used during their set, and was immediately filled with joy when I saw the musician pick it up and play it for the entire show.

 Being completely honest, I have to say that my favorite part of the show was watching Quest work his magic on the drum set. There is something so incredibly hypnotic about watching a great drummer, and from the moment the show began, my eyes were glued to him.

I kept turning to Erin, our Educational Programming Director, and saying things like “I just really want to go up and give him a big hug” or “He is just such a cutie”. Probably not the typical response from the audience, but leave it to me to feel that way!

Great show, great audience, great night! I sincerely thank The Roots for coming to our campus and giving an amazing performance. Definitely going to be a hard act to top.

 — Elizabeth Schlegel

 

Wu Han, David Finckel, and Philip Setzer / Sarah C.

Before I begin my review on Wu Han, David Finckel, and Philip Setzer, let me just point out that I am a dancer and an artist, but by no means am I a musician. My mother made me take piano when I was in 2nd grade and I enjoyed it up until about 5th grade when I realized I loved sports and dance much more. After that the only instrument I considered learning to play was the drums, and that was only because I could hit something.

Therefore, before I went to see Han, Finckel, and Setzer perform the Schubert Piano Trios I had no idea what to expect. I had done a fair amount of research on the musicians for the Hancher Intern video, and I knew that they were world class, highly acclaimed, etc, etc. But what does that mean for a musician? I mean, if you hit the right keys on a piano, does it not sound the same for you as for anyone else? And if you pull the bow across the violin, the effect is the same, is it not?

No.

As soon as the three began to play their instruments I knew that I was in for an unexpected and beautiful experience. They didn’t just play their instruments they danced with them. Wu Han would toy with her head as she interacted with the piano. During high or fast notes her head would move back and forth with the music, and during the dramatic parts of the piece she practically jumped off of the bench. (I would bet money that her bottom did leave the bench at least a few times.)

Wu Han’s husband, David Finckel, was continually making faces towards the audience as well as his fellow musicians. (He and his wife would exchange a few words here and there). He often smiled, and when he had a brake from playing, he would listen to the other two, and then make a face that seemed to say, “Do you hear that beautiful music? I think I’ll play along.” And then he would begin again.

Philip Setzer was a different story entirely. The only time that I saw him smile at all was during the bow. When he was with his violin, it was all business (or maybe “passion” would be a better word). He was so serious, but it was incredible to watch. Here is a man who could be anyone from an ex-football player, to a businessman, to a chef. But as a large man, he plays this –what seems to be – tiny instrument in an incredible way, and the effect is riveting.

During about the first half-hour of the performance I was completely captured by the artists in front of me that I lost track of where I was. But I didn’t care. All that mattered was the music, and the musicians playing it. After a while, however, I was able to “come back to earth” and realize that this is what makes a great musician: the ability to capture the audience. And no, it does not sound equivalent if I play the same note as Wu Han, or if I take the bow across the violin in the “same way” as Philip Setzer. For, the effect is not the same. Those musicians have passion and their passion can be heard in their music.

— Sarah Carusona