G. Love Albums (3)
'A Year and a Night with G. Love and Special Sauce'
Release Date 7/31/2007
Tracks 12
Label Brushfire
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A Year and a Night with G. Love and Special Sauce is far more of a tour documentary than a concert feature, but it's really about the relationship between the three bandmembers that have been together for more than 13 years (this 2006 tour was the first with keyboard player Mark Boyce). It's actually pretty revelatory because it quickly becomes apparent that despite the fact that they've been a band for well over a decade, they aren't really friends. In fact, they don't even really appear to like each other much at all. But somehow when they're playing or performing, the music takes over and they're able to function together as a music making machine that basically stops working when the music stops. It's this tension that forms the heart of the film and it's pretty fascinating. Of course, most will be drawn to this set hoping for some live G. Love & Special Sauce footage and there are a number of full or nearly full performances throughout the film. They were filmed at the end of the tour in their hometown of Philly, and you can really feel the energy. Even better, as a bonus, all these songs and then some are included in full performance from the same shows (with a nice, professional multi-camera shoot). There's even an additional audio CD (with three tracks exclusive to the CD) documenting the same shows. Lots of fans think that live G. Love is the best G. Love. This one's for them. ~ Sean Westergaard, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After losing steam toward the end of his major-label run, G. Love seems to have gotten his groove back at his new home on Jack Johnson's Brushfire label. Lemonade picks up where The Hustle left off, offering up G. Love's eclectic mix of bluesy grooves, rap, and even some psychedelic touches. He's been doing it for years with his Special Sauce pals, but like The Hustle, a good number of added players really help broaden the sound of the album. This time out, Hammond organs, piano, and Wurlitzer all add depth to the sound, while the guest shots add some variety without sounding like a marketing ploy. "Ride" starts things out with a great groove. "Ain't That Right" is more rap-oriented, but the psychedelic production flourishes take it to another place. "Hot Cookin" is on the mellow side, with great Hammond organ and a big fat acoustic bass tone. David Hidalgo adds some nice viola to "Missing My Baby"'s easy groove, while "Holla!" adds some funky Clavinet and cops the chorus from "Jack & Diane." Blackalicious and Jasper's shots put G. Love's rapping skills into perspective, and the duets with Tristan Prettyman and Jack Johnson are both album highlights. The album winds down nicely with the mellow "Breakin' Up" and G. Love going solo acoustic on "Still Hangin' Around." After more than a decade in the biz, G. Love seems comfortable at his new indie home and Lemonade finds him playing to his strengths. Still hangin' around, indeed. ~ Sean Westergaard, All Music Guide
