Periguns at Jirokichi
August 27, 2024
Shunji Takenaka 竹中俊二g
Shinishi Kusama草間信一key
Tomoya Tachikawa立川智也b
Christopher Hardyクリストファー・ハーディperc
Shin Takada高田真dr
The Periguns come to play. They don’t hold back like some bands, waiting for the right song to show their chops. They jump right into their high-energy, accomplished music from the opening note. They’re pros, but with a great sense of musicality, and of fun.
Leading off with two bouncy tunes cranked the set to a high level. Slower songs filled out the set, but even at easygoing temps, the music was a delight. Leading off with “Flying Periguns” from their CD of 2019, released, unfortunately, right at the start of the Covid pandemic, they jumped right into making up for lost time.
“Nighthawk” also from their CD was a touching ballad that showcased the band’s interplay. They are as tight as any collection of hard-working, sometimes studio musicians, but they don’t slip into studio slickness. Instead, they keep a sharp focus on what works live. What works is letting themselves play. They set up the songs for improvising, and everyone takes their turn. Their lyrical touch was given full play.
“On the Cusp” had a great rhythm, amply laid down by Takada and pumped up by Hardy. The song was a great vehicle for letting Takenaka on guitar roam far and wide. His solos were simple and elegant, but he was ready to crank up the playing to a more rugged but no less tasteful sound that held nothing back again and again. Never overplaying, he works in the sweet spot of expectation and surprise.
The second set came alive with a great tune built on the bassline of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues.” It wasn’t a cover, though. The band took the bass riff far and wide. Everyone took heartfelt solos while the bassline kept the groove tight and soulful. It’s a simple riff, but it fits perfectly with their tight group sound. Tachikawa is the kind of bassist who lays down a groove and makes sure it sinks in.
“Dance of Darkness” has a catchy melody that opened up into more great solos. Kusama really showed his stuff on all the tunes, never overharmonizing but always adding just the right touches. On this tune, he used the grand piano to lay down the jazziest solos of the night, enjoying himself immensely.
Calling themselves “instrumental R&B,” the music falls into the likable grooves of George Benson, the raw energy of Jeff Beck, and the funkiness of a Hammond B3 jazz trio. The total sound, though, is all their own. They are a tight, electric band that fits together perfectly. The show pulled several songs from their CD, but everyone contributed new songs, too. Another CD will hopefully be in the works.
