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Geo C and Tha Storm to unveil new album
IF YOU GO
What: Geo C and Tha Storm album release show
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: YWCA recital hall, 25 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown
Tickets: $11 (includes a copy of the new album), and $22 (includes album, T-shirt and poster); call 330-743-1452 to purchase in advance, or stop at Geo’s Music, 228 W. Boardman St., downtown
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
Geo C and Tha Storm stand up for their city and also pay tribute to the late, great Prince on new album, “Youngstown Funk.”
The fifth release from the long-lived funk band will be rolled out Wednesday at a Thanksgiving eve party at the YWCA recital hall.
Band leader-vocalist George Case wrote all the songs, including “Defend Youngstown,” in which he calls for residents to stop putting the city down.
There is also a “Purple Rain”-like tribute to the late Prince, who remains a major influence on Case. The album often teeters between a Prince-like vibe and progressive-funk psychedelia – sometimes in the same song.
For the prolific Case, the new album is a snapshot of where his head is now.
“[The band’s sound] will continue to evolve as I get more out of my head each time,” he said. “Each album is like an at-bat in baseball. It’s not like i was making it sound this way or that. I just want to continually introduce the iistener to an ongoing experience down a funk yellow brick road that never ends.”
Case already is three-quarters done with his next album, but isn’t sure when he will release it.
In addition to Case, the band consists of Melody Case, Keith Crockett, Tyrone Wiliams, Mark Hanley, David Taylor, Harold Rollkns, Mark Castro and Khaldoun Kawa.
Wednesday’s event will start early so people can be ready for the holiday the next day. “Hopefully they’ll be extra hungry from getting their funk on,” said Case, with a laugh.
It will begin with a reception at 7 p.m., followed by the show at 8 p.m. The first half will spotlight songs from the new album. The second half will feature songs picked by fans, originals or covers, from the band’s large repertoire. The event will include a food menu and bar.