On Wednesday night, WhyHunger, the nonprofit organization determined to end hunger and poverty, hosted its first-ever Amplified benefit concert at Brooklyn Bowl. Led by decorated guitarist, producer, and bandleader Eric Krasno and a high-powered house band featuring celebrated drummer Nikki Glaspie alongside Dumpstaphunk cohorts Tony Hall (bass, vocals) and Ivan Neville, the lively performance acted as a showcase of Krasno’s many talented friends including Matisyahu, Robert Randolph, Molly Tuttle, Celisse, Emily King, and more.
Krasno is a seasoned director of guest-filled shows at Brooklyn Bowl thanks in large part to the 80+ Bowlive performances he’s played with his instrumental trio, Soulive, at the Williamsburg venue/bowling alley dating back to its earliest days. He served as both M.D. and emcee throughout the night on Wednesday, singing the praises of the guests and the event’s beneficiary as he guided the impressive pool of talent around him.
With some of world’s finest funk players in the mix, much of the night was a lively, soulful dance party. That helped the scattered softer moments pack added emotional punch, from Molly Tuttle’s solo acoustic performance of “Crooked Tree” and full-band cover of Neil Young‘s “Helpless” to Emily King’s smooth, swaggering “Distance”.
Eric Krasno & Friends w/ Molly Tuttle – “Helpless” (Neil Young) – 11/1/23
[Video: Jim S]
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After winding through two sets worth of thrilling covers and original songs by the various musicians that filtered onto the stage, the band returned to encore with a lively, all-hands-on-deck rendition of Stephen Stills‘ “Love The One You’re With”. Even with so much talent already in play, this star-studded ensemble kept reaching out for backup, adding Peter Levin (Trouble No More) on organ and quite literally pulling three-time Grammy Award-nominated singer Ryan Shaw onstage to join in when Randolph noticed him in the front row mid-song.
Eric Krasno & Friends – “Love The One You’re With” (Stephen Stills) – 11/1/23
[Video: Bob R]
View the full, annotated setlist, listen to a complete audio recording, and check out a gallery of photos from WhyHunger’s inaugural Amplified benefit concert featuring Eric Krasno, Nikki Glaspie, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, Matisyahu, Robert Randolph, Molly Tuttle, Celisse, Emily King, and more at Brooklyn Bowl via photographer Ken Spielman.
WhyHunger is a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to ending hunger and advancing the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world. It works with more than 8,000 community-based groups across the globe and has impacted 30 countries through food production, job-training programs, nutrition education, community economic development, healthcare workshops, youth programming, leadership development, and more. Learn more about WhyHunger’s mission and how to get involved, head here.
Setlist: Eric Krasno & Friends | Brooklyn Bowl | Brooklyn, NY | 11/1/23
Set One: Greatest Place On Earth (Ivan Neville), Leave Me Alone (Eric Krasno), Fire (Jimi Hendrix), Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That (Robert Randolph) [1], Goin Down (Don Nix) [1], King Without A Crown (Matisyahu) [2], I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley) [2], One Day [2][3]
Set Two: Crooked Tree (Molly Tuttle) [4], Helpless (Neil Young) [5], Take The Journey (Molly Tuttle) [5], Distance (Emily King) [6], Work To Do (The Isley Brothers) [6], Use Me (Bill Withers) [6][7], Get There (Celisse) [7], Ramble On (Led Zeppelin) [8]
Encore: Love The One You’re With (Stephen Stills) [9]
Notes: All songs featured Eric Krasno (guitar), Nikki Glaspie (drums), Tony Hall (bass), and Ivan Neville (keys) except where otherwise noted.
[1] featuring Robert Randolph (pedal steel, vocals)
[2] featuring Matisyahu (vocals)
[3] featuring “No Woman No Cry” (Bob Marley) interlude
[4] Molly Tuttle solo acoustic
[5] featuring Molly Tuttle (acoustic guitar, vocals)
[6] featuring Emily King (vocals)
[7] featuring Celisse (electric guitar, vocals)
[8] featuring Robert Randolph (pedal steel), Celisse (electric guitar), Tony Hall (lead vocals)
[9] featuring Robert Randolph (pedal steel), Celisse (electric guitar, vocals), Emily King (vocals), Molly Tuttle (acoustic guitar, vocals), Peter Levin (organ), Ryan Shaw (vocals)
Eric Krasno & Friends – WhyHunger Amplified – Brooklyn, NY – Full Show – 11/1/23
[Audio: Bootsy Jacobs]
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