If you went to Unter der Zeder on Monday thinking ‘The Rhythm Section’? Hmm… sounds like an evening of safe if unremarkable instrumentals” you would have been WAY, Way wrong. The singers actually outnumbered the musicians. Ten musicians and singers in total. A recipe for confusion and ego-clashing? It turned out to instead be a recipe for spontaneity and shared enjoyment that had the audience on their feet and clapping along well before evening’s end.
So, to get confusion out of the way, The Rhythm Section themselves are four talented local musicians: Christian Kussmann (bass), Matt Sonicksen (guitar), Claus Schulte (drums) and Lukas Frings (keys). The original plan was to ask around for a singer or two to accompany the four at Unter der Zeder. It turned out that there were a lot of affirmatives – so much so that five singers came along on the night and it would actually have been six – but one had to call in sick. Rosa Kremp, Linda Berzen, Dominika De Silvio, Keno Singss and Vase Simeon all found time to sing lead and backing vocals. Did I mention also sax player Pierre De Stefano?
There was, recalled Christian Kussmann afterwards, one whole day of rehearsals to get things in order both musically and also on a set-list. Backing vocals were up for grabs whenever anyone felt like joining in – which turned out to be pretty well on every number, such was the enthusiasm of all concerned.
The opener was, appropriately enough given the sheer amount of singers, entitled ‘Summer Madness’ but actually vocal-less, before Linda Berzen joined them for a sprightly version of Amy Winehouse’s classic ‘Valerie’ given extra clout through a super sax solo by Pierre De Stefano. Keno Singss was next singer up for ‘Let’s stay together’ after which he handed the lead vox over to Rosa Kremp for Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’. Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ followed with Vase Simeons adding his high funky voice to the proceedings for the first of several highpoints. This not to be confused with ‘Crazy’ by Seal which Rosa Kremp ably covered in part 2. Getting confusing? Crazy even?
High points in part two undoubtedly included Vase taking on Prince’s ‘Kiss’ with spot-on vocals and excellent spontaneous instrumentals from Matt, Pierre, Christian and especially Lukas on keys. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a concert where the singer changed practically after every song so huge credit then, especially to the Rhythm Section itself, for keeping so many disparate styles timed to perfection. Credit and thanks fact are due to every one of the musicians and singers involved. When not actually onstage they could be seen filming their comrades or smiling from the stage-side happily enjoying the music and the occasion.
If this were the World Cup, then this evening’s musicians and singers were very much Spain. No superstar egos. All playing together for the common good. And we know how well that worked out for the football team!
A wonderful evening then that put anyone’s faith back in the power of music to bring people together in shared enjoyment. An evening to appreciate also the wealth of local musical talent available right now. Thank you Christian Kussmann for getting everything together and KuKuG for another magical evening by the Cedar Tree!
