jambase.com

July 19, 2000

IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING MOORE

by Chad Kirtland
JamBase New Orleans Correspondent
Go See Live Music

What do you do when you finally get home after touring for weeks on end? Lay low? Relax? Catch up on sleep? If you're Galactic drummer Stanton Moore, you book gigs with your other band. When not holding the throne for everyone's new funk favorites, Moore can be found in his hometown New Orleans jamming with his other outfit, Moore & More. The band is a loose aggregation of local musicians who improvise jazzy, groove-based jams over Moore's New Orleans-flavored rhythms.

When Galactic isn't on the road - which isn't often - Moore & More hosts a weekly Tuesday night gig at the Olde Point Bar, an unassuming neighborhood place a ferry ride from downtown New Orleans and a short walk from the home Moore recently bought in historic Algiers. The weekly show is a casual gig where old friends sit in with the band and local folk hang out on the levee between sets. "I see it as an antidote to the road," Moore says of his pet project. "The Olde Point gig is an informal, party atmosphere. Anyone can come by and play."

Moore & More began as an outlet for the songs Moore eventually fleshed out on his solo release All Kooked Out" with guitarist Charlie Hunter and saxman Skerik. These days, Moore & More runs a gamut of musical styles ranging from the Carnival acid jazz of "All Kooked Out" to jazz standards to James Black-style New Orleans numbers. The current Moore & More lineup, including Brian Seeger, Brent Rose and Charlie Denard, has played together for about three years

The group also gives Moore the chance to dabble in areas off limits to Galactic. "With Galactic, we are aware that people are there to dance," says Moore. "Moore & More covers territory we don't usually go in with Galactic."

If the double billing sounds overwhelming, Moore says it's nothing compared to the old days. "I used to come home and book every show I could get," he says. "Now, I just got married and I want to spend time with my wife. So I have people come over and play during the day. And I do the Olde Point thing on Tuesdays."

Before Galactic heads out to tour with Live and the Counting Crows, Moore & More holds court at the Olde Point Bar July 18 and July 25. Stanton fans might also want to pick up this month's Modern Drummer magazine, which features a 15-page spread on the musician.

Check out Stanton Moore's website at http://www.fogworld.com/stanton for more info on the band and his gig schedule. You can also listen to the entire album online, in stereo and for free!

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