Mike Stern@Catalina’s 12.03.11
By George W. Harris

While the world of guitar fans is waiting for Mike Stern’s next new
album release (has it been 2 years since Big Neighborhood), the 6
string king and his band have taken his known material and stretched
and bent it to the outer limits of expression. The team of Dave
Weckl/dr, Richard Bona/b and Bob Franceschini/ts have worked together
for so long that they can take material like the raucously opening
“Tumble Home” or the bluesy “KT” and weave solos, duets and workshop
workouts on their respective instruments while still maintaining an
exciting cohesiveness. Stern and company are also able to demonstrate
that they have the ability to play it gentle and soft, as they
demonstrated remarkable sensitivity on the breezy “Wishing Well” and
“Still There” along with Richard Bona’s patented falsetto accompaniment.

But Stern is nothing if not a master of the chops, and he let loose on
a torrid duet with Weckl that went from pastoral to Indy 500 before you
could blink. Bona also was able to bring some folk melodies from Africa
on his spotlight, while Franceschini kept the melodies in check
throughout the night with some Stax-inspired blowing. By the time the
band brought the 90 minute set to a close with a blistering
“Tipitina’s” the audience was not only awed by each individual, but by
the remarkable teamwork that can only be accomplished through years of
touring and experimenting. Great night!