The Nth Power at Dunedin Brewery: Power Trio Full of Joy and Love
There were, as always, many options for great live music across the Tampa Bay area, including Dead church and a big jam show. However, everybody — and I mean EVERYBODY — who was at Dunedin Brewery last night (Thursday, August 15) to see The Nth Power will tell you we were in EXACTLY the right place!
The Nth Power are simultaneously an outrageous power trio and a soulful, joyful group. The magic occurs as they intertwine the two. And the ambiance of Dunedin Brewery heightened the magic; you can reach right out and touch the band (well, we don’t, but you could). The intimacy really brought home the heart-filling soul and love. Writer Tina Praino offered:
I am still riding the beautiful waves created by The Nth Power last night. They are a special band. They are so beautiful and so so funky ….oh such magnificent funk. The kind of groove that resonates in your very bones. And those lyrics. They make your heart stings sing. My spirit is renewed.
Correct on all counts, ma’am!
As the band took the stage, Nick Cassarino asked us, “Do you mind if we try out some new music on you?” That was met with uproarious approval as the trio dug into “Tribe,” a track from the upcoming album Reverence. The main refrain was “We’re gonna make it,” which eventually we all got to sing in call-and-response with Cassarino.
Numerous aspects immediately came into focus for long-time fans and brand new ones as well. This truly is a power trio; each member is completely badass on his or her instrument. Most everyone knows that Nikki Glaspie is a drum goddess, evidenced by the fact that there were at least a dozen drummers in the crowd, jaws on the floor. Nate Edgar is simply brilliant on bass. Perhaps, however, people might not have understood just how amazing Cassarino is on guitar. He showed us all night long.
Also, Cassarino is an excellent vocalist with a superb falsetto, but the harmonies that he and Glaspie create go directly to your soul. In the fast lane. And Cassarino does that scat thing in unison with his guitar (think Hendrix, Benson, Oteil, and others).
Another new tune followed, called “Reach Out.” The band is now in the process of mixing the album, which should be out by December. It was another lovely, uplifting song. They went back to their 2016 album Live to Be Free for “Truth,” jumpstarting with “Gil said, ‘The REVOLUTION will not be televised.’” The power trio aspect really stood out here, just killer.
Cassarino dedicated the next tune to the late Kofi Burbridge. He explained that Burbridge played on every track of the new album. As Glaspie said later, “After his death, progress on the album came to a screeching halt for a time.” They chose “Joy,” also from Live to be Free. Consider the final chorus:
I am here to Bring you Joy,
I am here to Move your Heart.
I am here to Bring you Joy,
I am here to Move your Heart.
“I Will Never Leave You” is also a new song. Cassarino told us about the work an L.A. organization called Harold Robinson Foundation is doing before the ballad began, although it built into a power ending. Some delicious old-school funk came next called “Spirits,” with Edgar blowing up the space bass and more delightful harmonies. They shut down the hour-long first set with one more new offering, “Hero,” featuring brilliant falsetto from Cassarino and a drum tour de force from Glaspie during the stunning jam.
Glaspie had hat duty at set break, opening the new merch box of hats for a number of people who wanted one and many other fans as well. Her gracious, warm manner set everyone at ease. Such a delight.
The first song of the second set, a kickass roadhouse rocker, was first called “Take My Soul,” which is exactly what it did. If that had been the beginning and end of the second set, I doubt anybody would have complained, eleven jaw-dropping minutes of brilliance. They did NOT stop there, of course, with a kickass intro into “Shining Star > Mighty Might > Shining Star” that also had a call-and-response ending. It recalled to mind the fabulous Earth, Wind and Power set the band played with a great horn section several times, including at A Feast of Funk and Soul Food in 2016, truly remarkable.
They were really stretching out. That medley went 12 minutes, and the next tune, “Walk On Water,” was a match, just amazing. One more new tune followed, a joyful tune called “Shine On” with a reggae lilt and more of Edgar’s space bass.
All evening long, there had been two other microphones set up on stage, on clearly for saxophone, the other for vocals. Cassarino had told us there would be special guests later, and finally he announced them: Paul and Tracy. His dad and mom!! Paul Cassarino played alto sax while mom sang backing vocals as they launched into a righteous version of the band’s most-recognized song, “Only Love.”
Edgar had a fine solo, followed by Paul on alto. Then Edgar and Glaspie soared on a wonderful duet before the song veered into Bob Marley’s “War” before returning to “Only Love,” one incredible final Glaspie solo and a massive coda to close out the night.
Nobody asked for an encore. Correctly. The Nth Power had given us their very best for more than two hours. We were properly sated on music and love. After the show, the band and mom and dad spoke to every well-wisher who came up to say thanks.
ONLY LOVE
[SET ONE: Tribe, Reach Out, Truth, Joy, I Will Never Leave You, Spirits, Hero; SET TWO: Take My Soul, Shining Star > Mighty Mighty > Shining Star, Walk On Water, Shine On, Only Love > War > Only Love]
