Last night was the first show kicking off John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension band featuring Hadrien Feraud, Mark Mondesir, and Gary Husband.Let me first start with the rehearsals. I was able to go Wednesday and hang out all day and night with the guys and watch as they built their set and figure out the forms. For me this was an incredible experience, even better than the great show they put on. This is complicated music yet they made it sound and look so easy. They are extremely nice as well and even let me jam a little with them:hyper: I've been a McLaughlin fan for a long time and he did not disappoint. Hadrien is a very sweet kid that I wish either spoke more English or I knew French. His playing is out of this world. Whenever Hadrien took a solo, which I must say was blindingly fast but always musical, John would stand back with a huge grin. You can tell how much he likes Hadrien's playing, always encouraging him to play more. Gary Husband of Level 42 but these days mostly playing jazz is a hell of a funny guy. He kills on the keys and also played a little Pearl jungle kit. Together Mark and Gary played some incredible percussion.
The show itself was great. There was a very nice and receptive crowd. The sound in the venue was not the best, as is typical with that theater it was a bit boomy. I have the board recording from it and it sounds great. I'm dead tire from the last couple days but if these guys come near you go see them. John is a living legend and Hadrien is well on his way to becoming one.

well, im sure looking forward to it even more, because i know if there was anything critical to say youd be honest enough to say it;)

Sounds like a great concert! Which bass was Hadrien playing? I have seen a Fodera was made for him..

-Christian

Hadrien was playing his Smith Burner 5. He does have a Fodera Beez Elite 5 on order but he's not sure when he will get it. He showed me a pic of it. It's white with jazz pups and what looked to be 28 frets. He said it's supposed to have the same string spacing as his Burner. He also has a fretless F Bass coming his way. George had sent him one and it didn't quite have the sound he was looking for so he's making another.

Cool! The bass is done http://www.fclefbasses.com/Article60.html

Looks cool.

He will be getting alot of basses :)

-Christian

Yep that's it. He said he's been told it's supposed to ship several times but it hasn't. He's not sure when he'll get it. It looks great though.

Gary Husband is class, he absolutely slayed on the drums when I saw him with Level 42. A fusion legend!

I was at the same show and I was amazed by Hadrien's playing. I was hoping they'd play more though.

Looks cool, very different...you can see the narrower spacing. I guess if it wasn't Hadrien who ordered it, I would say it looks a little weird (with the extra frets and single coils) but he is the man and I defer!!

Thanks for the review, I can't wait for the Montreal show in october, i'll try to meet Hadrien beforehand.

Are they only playing songs from the Mclaughlin catalogue or will we see some songs from Hadrien's album?

I loved Industrial Zen, but I'd rather hear Hadrien's stuff performed live.

They do Hadrien's version of JM's High Jacked.

Thanks so much Peter for your kind words ...
I'm so glad you enjoyed the show . It's really so great for me to play with John , it's a real dream . My friends in the band , Gary and Mark are great too it's so great to play together .The Concerts will grow better and better ....
Thank you to all of you wich are supporting me ...
My best thoughts from Colorado.
Hadrien

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p160/hadrienferaud/DSC_8066bis.jpg

Hello, Hadrien. My real name is Scott. I was the tall gray haired bass player. Again, thanks for a great show.