Funky Lake Oswego ??

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

On a word association test, a local psychologist would raise her eyebrows if she said “funk” and you said “Lake Oswego.” The two words go together about as well as “Cynthia McCain” and “Hip Hop.” Nevertheless, the nearby park in Lake Oswego hosting tonight’s free concert offered up what was billed as funk music. As someone who has a playlist entitled, “Too Funky,” I had to go and drag Allyson along.

The “Sonic Funk Orchestra” describes itself as a “12-piece horn-driven party machine.” “Time machine” might be a better description of the disco play list that included K.C. & the Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang, and Donna Summer. The band was good at what they do. I’d agree with their own description of the “tight and choreographed 4-piece vocal section” and a good horn section.

But it was disco, not funk.

On the way home, Allyson made the mistake of asking me what the difference was, which give me the opportunity to imitate James Brown and Parliament and play some Chaka Kahn, Isley Brothers, and Nikka Costa.