Members of the band Funkanonymous. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. June 1st 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
The name may not mean anything to you yet, but Funkanonymous, if there is any justice in this world, will soon be adding to the ecstatic fans that they wowed with relative ease within the yard of Heebie Jeebies on the last night for University students everywhere within the city of Liverpool.
The band; made up themselves of some of the students who have graced the city with their presence and added to the charm, as students invariably do, played a 45 minute set to a packed and eager audience within the courtyard. Such was the demand to watch Funkanonymous that the stone staircase that runs along one of the walls of Heebie Jeebies had patrons sat on the warm steps and people poking heads out of doors just to catch a glimpse of the band.
This eclectic and unashamedly brilliant band of musicians and singers have not been together long, so short a time in fact that Faith McNally only joined earlier this year. However the entire band, which included Helen James and Sonia Chapman joining Ms. McNally on vocals, Ben Tweedie on trumpet, James Orrin on tenor sax, Josh Philips on baritone sax, Anthony Kastelanides on keys, Adam Scovell on guitar, Gareth Elliot on bass and Phil Games on drums, had the audience up and dancing almost from the off and cheering songs that, quite frankly, were astounding and excellently interpreted by the members of the group.
The songs may not be naturally thought of as being some that get 21st century students up and dancing but the soul classic by Eddie Floyd, Knock On Wood, Robert Parissi’s Play That Funky Music from 1976 and the classic Soul Man, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter which reached number two by the duo Sam and Dave were in doubt songs that spoke to everybody there and had people dancing more than a night in some of the more stereotypical nightclubs in the city.
An excellent night of music, superbly performed by the group and a night that could be the start of big things for Funkanonymous.
Ian D. Hall