Peven Everett @ MJQ
Loverboy and I spent a ridiculous amount of time looking for parking to see Peven Everett an MJQ Concourse. But it was well worth it….by j. brotherlove
Loverboy and I spent a ridiculous amount of time looking for parking to see Peven Everett an MJQ Concourse. But it was well worth it. I haven’t seen the diminutive dynamo perform since I left Chicago four years ago. At that point, he would still do spontaneous jam sessions with his band Séance Divine. With every appearance, a select group of progressive music lovers would flock to enjoy the vibe (in the same way Atlanta embraces Donnie and Joi).
I warned Loverboy that Peven can play anything from straight-ahead jazz to hip hop, dance, soul… I wasn’t sure which direction he would go in. However, I did know it would be some great music.
We arrived at MJQ shortly after 1:00AM and Peven had just begun his set. As I was grabbing two Absolut Mandarin & Cranberry cocktails, Peven launched into his house club hit “Gabriel”. Woot! The crowd was thick with appreciation and Loverboy and I danced onto the floor to get a good spot.
Peven was dressed in all white, complete with fuzzy fedora, and burning up the keys with a revamped Séance Divine. Peven’s band experience with jazz greats Betty Carter and Branford Marsalis have taught him how to work a crowd. His set contained club hits like “Watch Them Come” and revved up live remixes of underground favorites from Studio Confessions like “Testin’ Me”, “Say It Back” and “World Love”. Peven even had the nerve to take requests from his extensive songbook. I was impressed when the crowd shouted out their favorites (I didn’t think of “Say It” until it was too late).
And what a crowd it was: An eclectic mix of whites, gays, underground music industry, yuppie expatriates from Buckhead, blacks, alternative skateboarders from Little Five Points, straight couples, and neo-soul warriors from various Atlanta neighborhoods — all dancing in place or in the breakdance mosh pit to the side of the stage. The evening was tapped off with guest DJ Larry Tee sparking the evening with “No One Gets The Prize”. Intense and lovely.
Best part of the show: Seeing Peven’s face light up when he saw me and conducting a quick reminisce of then to now. His new joint drops first of the year. It would behoove you to cop it.
Tell me more about him and where can I find his music? Sounds very interesting.
As always, I find out about this *after* the fact, especially since one of Peven’s best friends got me the CD way back when.
sounds like a good time. imma have to look this kat up!
excuse me for not commenting on the actual subject matter, but i just had to say that i recently discovered the delightfulness of Absolut Mandarin & Cranberry cocktails…!!!!!! they are delicious beyond imagination!
cheers! :D
You know him !?!
“Say It” is one of the Latter Day Hymns to deep-house-heads.
Now I’m impressed.
Man, I love this man’s music BUT I just saw him for the fourth time in LA and this show was just horrible. I realized at the end of his set how he’d really only sang two songs for the 40 mins + he was on stage. I just tallied it up to too much blow. The band did it’s thing though. I’m sure he’ll do better next time.