Neal Francis with Parlor Greens
Presented by KEXP 

GENRE: Funk, Soul, Rock

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Neal Francis
The latest album from Neal Francis, Return To Zero, emerged from the kind of visionary feverdream that only the most masterful and inventive artists are capable of bringing to life. Amid an agrueling tour schedule that found him playing nearly 400 shows from 2021 to 2024, the Chicago-based singer/songwriter/pianist immersed himself in creating a beautifully strange entangling oftimeless rock &roll and ’70s-era dance music, merging supremely heavy guitar riffs with lush andpulsating grooves—all constructed sans digital programming, in keeping with his devotion to allthings analog. Worlds away from the glitzy fantasia of archetypal disco, Return To Zero inhabitsa far moodier atmosphere and ultimately makes for the most thrilling manifestation of Francis’peerless musicality yet.

Equal parts heady and hedonistic, pensive and euphoric, Francis’ third studio LP echoes both hisdeep-rooted psych-rock sensibilities and a lifelong affinity for classic funk. “I’ve always beenintrigued by music that toes the line between funk and rock,” notes Francis. “In the past I’veasked myself things like, ‘What would it sound like if Thin Lizzy cut a disco record?’ It’s somethingI’ve been fascinated with for a very long time, so I finally decided to really go for it.”

The follow-up to his 2023 double live album and concert filmFrancis Comes Alive, Return To Zeromarks Francis’ first full-length studio effort sinceIn Plain Sight—a 2021 release acclaimed by thelikes of leading rock critic Steven Hyden, who praised its “throwback big-band sound that recallsthe highs of 1970s funk and swamp rock.” With his past work also including his 2019 debut albumChanges(hailed as “the reincarnation of Allen Toussaint” by BBC Radio 6), Francis began playingpiano at the young age of four and became an in-demand sideman while still a teenager, touringwith revered blues artists and beloved instrumental band The Heard beforeembarking on hissolo career. Over the years, he’s sold out headline shows all across the globe, supported the likesof Wilco, Black Pumas, and My Morning Jacket, appeared at major festivals such as Bonnaroo,Fuji Rock, and Lollapalooza, and even performed at historic venues like Carnegie Hall.

Parlor Greens
You could say that Parlor Greens are greater than the sum of their parts…however, the individual parts are simply stellar on their own. Tim Carman (formerly GA-20, Canyon Lights) on drums, Jimmy James (True Loves, formerly Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio) on guitar, and Adam Scone (Scone Cash Players, The Sugarman 3) on organ.

Scone is perhaps the most tasteful living organist on planet Earth (and beyond) and to watch him play is to truly watch a master at work. He bends the organ to his will like a true mastercraftsman. He’s a veteran of the soul revival scene, having played on many Daptone recording sessions since their inception, but also has learned from some of the legends of soul jazz: Melvin Sparks and The Turbanator himself Dr. Lonnie Smith. Jimmy James needs no introduction to many as he’s been seen all over the world performing with instrumental groups The True Loves and the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. Perhaps the most dangerous right hand in all of soul music, his signature funky approach can be identified by even the most novice of music fans, a feat most musicians could only dream of. Tim Carman. The backbone. The pocket. Having cut his teeth touring the world with blues group GA-20, Carman’s expertise in the world of blues shuffles might make him an unlikely candidate to lay the foundation for the funky Parlor Greens, but this debut LP shows otherwise. Steady, heavy pockets and as funky as they come.

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Doors 7PM // Show 8PM

Gold Circle is standing room closest to the stage. General Admission is standing room only.  Mezzanine is on the second floor, reserved and fully seated. For more information please contact ticketing@guildtheatre.com