Magic Christian
Safari Sam’s
Hollywood, CA
March 11, 2008
By Lucky
(SugarBuzz Hollywood)
SugarBuzz Magazine
Superstars of rock, Magic Christian stopped by Hollywood to grace the stage at Safari Sam’s en route to their numerous shows at this years SXSW in Texas. And the Tuesday night turnout was absolutely incredible. Seems word has traveled to “those in the know” and then some as the place was just a buzz and jumping. Thanks to all in attendance as your presence and enthusiasm contributed to my sensational experience and no doubt Magic Christians as well.
A brief line up for those new to Magic Christian. Legendary guitarist Cyril Jordan (The Flamin’ Groovies), Eddie Munoz (The Plimsouls) on bass, Clem Burke (Blondie) drums, and some incredibly talented young man up front named Paul Kopf are the sum of the parts that equal the whole.
Taking the stage just a tad after ten, Magic Christian set the thermostat on high with the smashing good “Turn Up the Heat”. The signature Cyril sound ala his clear plexiglas Dan Armstrong and Fender amp set up the band to kick out this rhythm heavy hit.
With a drum intro straight out of Meet The Beatles and guitar jingle jangle so popular with British and L.A. groups in the early to mid sixties, “All the Stars” put a smile on even the most skeptical shadow safarian. Something was in the air and all were under its spell.
Look out ready steady, it’s “Till I Looked into Her Eyes”. A groove infested teeter totter of a love ride. Body paint would never have looked so good then on the girls doing their thing while Magic Christian performed. Thought for a minute that the summer of love had resurged.
Eddie Munoz was clearly having fun playing his new pink paisley bass and yes Eddie, it does match your eyes! (You take me back to The Starwood Eddie!)
Originally written by Bob Dylan, sent to the top of the pops by The Byrds, and swooned a million love child by none other than Cher, (Paul actually told me that his favorite version of the song was Cher’s), “All I Wanna Do (is baby be friends with you)"had a few jaws a dropping while Magic Christian boldly topped them all with a brilliant take on this classic hit.
Just as the sweet sustain of the last chords of “All I Really want To Do” filled the air, the band blasted into an incredible, no, astonishing version of The Beatles “Any Time At All”. Literal chills ran up my spine, perhaps the same way screaming teenage girls felt at The Cavern so long, long ago.
Soaring form the Cavern to perhaps the London Palladium we shagged out to “Right Back Where I Started From”, a sizzling hot Magic Christian original off of their Limited Edition Authorized Bootleg” release. The ’63 to ‘maybe ’65 Stones era sound or feel as it were, resonates from this modern day masterpiece. Brian Jones would have loved this rhythm and blues upbeat trotter.
Now according to the band themselves, they had just gotten out of the studio putting the finishing touches on their brand spanking new album, and we were treated to a sensational shindig entitled “Complicated”. The boys made it look anything but, with Clem setting the pace and keeping her true. First impression, sensational.
Dedicated to the Texas crowd they were soon to encounter, an all out jam in the form of the classic rock hit “Susie Q” ensued. Damn, baby I love you, yeah Susie Q.!! Breathed new life into that song! Had my feet moving in directions I didn’t think possible.
Traditional “My Gal” was next. Always great to hear this song. Can Paul have any more fun singing this song made famous by folks like Pigpen with Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Band and The Lovin’ Spoonful?
Summing up the set were more selections off of the new up and coming Magic Christian release, (all solid babies! I will keep you all posted when the CD is available.)
And perhaps the best for last, I was stuuned when the closing number was none other than the Flamin’ Groovies classic “Shake Some Action”. Dubbed by some as the greatest pop song ever, this song is absolutely timeless and the Magic Christian rendition was absolutely loyal to the original. I had so hoped that Cyril would wow us all with “Shake” once again and finally it has become a reality. Bravo.