With a colorful social, friendly and completely rock and roll event this week at the music bar “St. Black” the Dauzonian group “Very Cool People” presented their new concert album – this time together with singer Aija Andrejeva. The beginnings of “Woodstock renaissance” date back to 2020, when “VCP” together with Aija presented a program dedicated to Janis Joplin at the “Rīgas Ritmi” festival (it was great!), but later it was supplemented with Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison’s group “The Doors” compositions, which also resulted in this album. “VCP” musicians Elvijs Graftsovs, Māris Jēkabsons and Andris Buiķis have created modern arrangements of songs by Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison for this concert program for an eight-person ensemble and vocals.
The new program was presented in April 2022 at the Liepāja Theater, where an album recording of a total of 20 pieces was also made (except for the added bonus of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz”, which was recorded at a concert in the cultural center “Siguldas Devons”). “Woodstock Renaissance” is a tribute to the legends who left an indelible impression on the music of the 20th and 21st centuries – both rock and jazz, as well as modern classical music. Younger listeners can get to know legendary compositions with its help, while older listeners can remember their youth. “Very Cool People” are the real music hooligans with whom to implement such a program, Aija Andrejeva thinks. “I can’t imagine any team more suitable for this project. I feel like a fish in water in this, because the saying “such finds such” corresponds one hundred percent to our cooperation. It’s that kind of good hooliganism combined with professionalism, tremendous work ability and also a huge love for what this band does on stage.”
Elvijs Graftsovs (guitar), Oskars Ozoliņš (trumpet), Māris Jēkabsons (tenor saxophone), Laura Rozenberga (trombone), Kristaps Lubovs (baritone saxophone), Māris Vitkus (keyboard instruments) played music in the core of the “Very Cool People” group. Jānis Olekšs (bass) and Andris Buiķis (drums), while additional vocals were sung by Zane Biķe and Antra Krūmiņa. In the Woodstock program, Laura Rosenberg’s positions are also combined with a vocalist (when Aija is not the leader at the microphone). “Singing Hendrix and Morrison’s songs gives me bohemian, rock ‘n’ roll and storyteller energy,” explains Laura.
It was a pleasant surprise that Aya was comfortable with the repertoire of Janis Joplin (also Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix) and that she would be able to perform it to her credit, there was no doubt, just like the fact that the beats from “VCP” fit this program like a pot lid ( a glove for the hand, etc., which was also sung by “Cosmos”…), however, listening to this album, one cannot help but be impressed by Aisha’s strong voice. Also, the listeners will probably be aware of the fact that Elvy is not only a brilliant fool (in a good way), but also a brilliant guitarist. Hats off to the brass section of “VCP” as well, but their craftsmanship is also well known. So what surprised you the most this time? At least the reviewer – keyboardist Māris Vitkus, it’s incredible how good he sounds in such a Woodstock program!
The second biggest surprise – the divine instrumental composition “Purple Haze” with Kristaps Lubov’s solo and Buiķas raging on the drums, this piece must be crowned as album No.1! If we talk about the best pieces, they are here like blocks: in the beginning of the album – “Piece Of My Heart” and “Move Over”, in the middle – “Break On Through (To The Other Side)” and “Light My Fire” , but a little further – the aforementioned “Purple Haze”, as well as Laura’s stellar hour with “Wild Thing” and the “roof-tripping” “Fire” (Alvy also plays well here).
Of course, one could sing praises to Laura Rosenberg again and pretend to be surprised that the trombonist sings so well, but since what she saw and heard at the “Positivus” festival several years ago, it is no longer a surprise to the reviewer – she can not only do that, but also better and more rockier!
A bit of a let down – the middle section of the multi-song block, consisting of pieces like ‘Maybe’, ‘Alabama Song’ and ‘People Are Strange’, is a bit jarring from the album’s soundtrack, and gives this section a bit of a musical feel. Also in the final part of the album, some pieces leave you relatively indifferent. But the biggest minus, if it can be called a minus at all – you have to listen to this program “live”, on the disc (“Woodstock’s Renaissance” is also available in CD format) you cannot fully feel the explosive energy of the musicians.
