Though they might not generate much fanfare, Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, and Ray Paczkowski are all heroes in the jam band world. Each of these musicians possesses a versatile skillset on their instruments, making them key players for acts like the Trey Anastasio Band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, and numerous other projects. Together, the trio of Lawton, Metzger, and Paczkowski has also been combining their talents as LaMP for several years now. Starting around the East Coast, the group has gradually expanded its territory and has released two albums, including One of Us earlier this year. Of course, listening to recordings of this kind of music is only one piece of the puzzle, but seeing it performed live is the true way to experience their musical capabilities. This month, LaMP is on a short jaunt across the West. On Thursday, October 16th, they made their way through Portland, Oregon, for a sold-out show at Polaris Hall.
Kicking off with a deliciously funky warm-up tune that set the tone for what would follow, the trio signaled their commitment to the groove right out of the gate. While they were surely dipping into tunes off their new album, the song names hardly mattered to the dancing audience eager to see what they could stir up in the moment. On “Some Days,” the band eased into a cool and breezy meditation with Metzger letting a blissful solo unfold before the flowing jazz-rock of “Out of Curiosity.” “Cosmo” saw Paczkowski dipping into thick organ funk complemented by Metzger’s fuzzy guitar before segueing into a twangier style of funk playing on “Jasper’s World,” with Lawton putting down some of his most complex drumming of the night. Elsewhere, the band tapped into greasy jungle jams that bounced along with playful exoticism, always propelled forward by Lawton’s relentlessly in-the-pocket beat. The musicians seemed to revel in making decisions on the fly at their creative whim, switching from warm and shimmering jazz to highly danceable tango sounds and even throwing a Led Zeppelin tease into the mix. The effortless chemistry of these players was on full display as they twisted and turned from down and dirty funk to lighter, more buoyant fare, and even avant-garde stylings, all without ever losing the groove.
LaMP’s performance in Portland may not have had the makings of a true throwdown with massive bustouts that we might get during a late-night festival slot, but it was a solid, near-two-hour set of jazz-inspired playing done with class and swagger. Their performance was energetic, exploratory, and plenty funkified to keep the sold-out crowd dancing and continuing to solidify their growing reputation as a live act well worth seeking out.
All photos by Greg Homolka
