Most people in our generation probably recognize him as Chef from South Park, the big, crooning ladies' man/elementary school cafeteria chef who made the song "Chocolate Salty Balls" which became a number-one hit in Britain.
Twenty-seven years earlier, this animated-television star became the first solo black artist to reach the top of both the pop and R&B charts. His score for the movie Shaft earned him an Oscar, three Grammy Awards, and a Golden Globe. Despite his impoverished youth, he's had a successful acting career, owns two restaurants, hosts a radio show and wrote a best-selling cookbook. Not to mention, he is a coronated king of the Ada Coastal District in Ghana. "Who is this extraordinary individual?" you might ask. His name is Isaac Hayes.
This past Thursday, Baltimore was lucky enough to have the King of Soul perform at Ram's Head in the Power Plant. As always, Ram's Head provided a spacious, comfortable and attractive environment to hear someone of such stature. Unlike most shows at similar venues the atmosphere was considerably tame, as the majority of the crowd were middle-aged. Although Isaac Hayes is such a big name, attendance was not overbearing, keeping the audience concentrated on the main floor.
At 9 p.m., the show started without delay. Isaac Hayes slowly ascended to the stage in a red kaftan. Still sporting his trademark sunglasses and beard, the king looked as if he hadn't aged much during the whole of his career. His 11-member band was composed of Hayes on vocals and lead keys, three other keyboardists jointly operating two keyboards, a guitarist, bassist, drummer, percussionist and three backup singers. Despite the lack of brass and woodwind instruments, the band still recreated realistic horn sections through the use of about seven different synthesizers. Whether the mood was soulful, jazzy or funky, all of the musicians displayed their outstanding abilities to improvise, emphasizing the talent and professionalism of the group.
To fight the cold, their opening number started the night with a taste of pure funk. Despite being a few generations ahead of the average college student, the well-dressed crowd definitely knew how to party as the dance floor quickly shifted into motion.
To keep things moving, Hayes surprised the crowd with a colorful rendition of "Chocolate Salty Balls." The reworked version of the song was much funkier than the original South Park version, complete with multiple improvised layers.
While it was clear that a small proportion of the crowd were not aware of the song's comedic origin, it still brought plenty of laughs to the atmosphere, and proved to be a hit on the dance floor as well as on television.
After bringing some heat to the Ram's Head scene, the king slowed things down a bit with "Walk On By," the 1969 hit off his first landmark album Hot Buttered Soul. Hayes' simultaneous vocal and keyboarding skills were each distinct. His on-stage performing abilities sounded just as good, if not better, than his original hit recordings, a skill most contemporary artists can't touch today.
Keeping things in the mood, Hayes performed another hit off Hot Buttered Soul, "By The Time I Get to Phoenix," and his version of "I Stand Accused" off 1970's The Isaac Hayes Movement LP. Staying within his trademark style, each song was drawn out, featuring numerous improvised solos and jam sessions.
At one point, Hayes and the band were outplayed by his drummer and percussionist in a five-minute session that combined expressive Afro-Latin beats with tight concise funky drum patterns. Even when the king wasn't playing, his band was able to entertain the crowd with their expertise.
Hayes ended the show with an extended version of his Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe-winning hit, the "Theme Song From Shaft." Although the only song he did not play keys on, Hayes continued to display his expert musicianship by conducting the band as well as singing lead vocals.
The song started slow and soft with a lengthened introduction followed by Hayes' classic lyrics, "Who is the man that would risk his neck for his brother man?" "Shaft!" replied the backup singers.
After singing vocals, Hayes conducted the band through various rhythm and melody takes on the song; many concluded with a number of drum kicks that signaled by a number Isaac held on his hand, all the while perfectly synchronized with red, blue, yellow and white lighting schemes.
Altogether, Isaac Hayes and his band played a phenomenal show at Ram's Head. Well known for his harmonic virtuosity and television hilarity, Isaac Hayes' long career shows that music and entertainment can bridge generational, cultural and continental gaps. All in attendance on Thursday night were no less than thrilled to witness the craft of such a well-spoken artist, who has shown that even worldwide greatness can be achieved from a destitute background.
