Diggin Dirt: New Shows, New Album, Same Glorious Old Funky Sound!

[Photos from Rhythms on the Rio courtesy of hot_magic_schmooze]

I am sure there is some way to write about bands, albums, concerts, and festivals objectively. Don’t bother telling me how, though. I’ll stick with pouring love and affection on musicians and bands I love, thanks.

On Jam Cruise in February, two bands in particular caught my fancy. I already knew about Magic Beans (Colorado), although I had not seen them live. And I had never even heard of Diggin Dirt (California) [This is Rob Ostrow’s fault; he told me not to miss their Pool Deck set. Thank you, Rob!]. I caught both sets by each band.

Zach AnderJoey IncorvaiaEric Dobko – Diggin Dirt – Rhythms on the Rio. 📷: @hot_magic_schmooze

At the risk of repeating myself (no risk; I’ve said this EVERY time), my comment, at the end of Diggin Dirt’s set late on the last night, was:

“My one musical regret is that I never saw James Brown in person. I think that’s as close as I’ll ever get.” With tears in my eyes.

Diggin Dirt are: Zach Alder – vocals, Rory Urquhart – guitar, Zach Gutierrez – guitar, Eric Dobko – bass, Joey Incorvaia – drums, Aaron Gottesman – tenor sax, and Tyler Martin – baritone sax.

Rory Urquhart & Aaron Gottesman – Diggin Dirt – Rhythms on the Rio. 📷: @hot_magic_schmooze

These gents are back on the road, although you probably won’t get to the shows tonight and Saturday unless you live in Hope, Alaska. However, there are six shows in their home state coming up, including two this month in Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, a Halloween show at Lost on Main in Chico, and three more November dates.

Eric Dobko & Zach Gutierrez – Diggin Dirt – Rhythms on the Rio. 📷: @hot_magic_schmooze

Diggin Dirt’s brand new album, Old Growth, is just stupid, Ridiculous, [Fill in your own hyperbolic adjectives]. This thing is so deeply steeped in James Brown funk that I don’t seem to be able to listen to anything else right now. The horns are mind-blowing, and Urquhart, Gutierrez, Dobko, and Incorvaia are impossibly tight on every tune. Pour the pure magic of Zach Alder on top of that, and you’ve got brilliance. Alder is the best soul shouter I’ve ever seen.

Zach Ander – Diggin Dirt – Rhythms on the Rio. 📷: @hot_magic_schmooze

So many glorious funk themes roll out, beginning with “Queen Dub,” worth the price of admission all by itself. Some of these great tunes have been in regular rotation for some time, such as “Operator” and “Satisfaction” (“I’m gonna play the back nine!”). And these men can rock out, too. They certainly do on “Illusion of a Choice,” and the instrumental “Krunk Funk II” pulls out ALL the stops!

Check out Old Growth and their previous albums, and never miss an opportunity to catch them live!