01 December 2016 (gig)
04 December 2016
The Blue Note in Milan was the superb location for me to finally see and listen to Take 6, the cappella/gospel sextet hailing from Alabama, USA.
It’s a very suave and cool crowd who wine and dine in the grandiose interior of the Blue Note club such as to hardly notice the guys as they amble on stage after a brief introduction, armed with a microphone, some rather haphazard clothing arrangement but with plenty of smiles.
However it takes an instant to captivate the house as they take us through various musical styles from gospel to jazz, from doo wop to rhythm and blues, simply by adapting their vocal styles. Indeed it’s the complexity and detail in their arrangements that is stunning, each voice so distinct and yet so versatile whilst they intertwine in an array of gorgeous melodies and harmonies.
Take 6 are Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Bentley. They have been together for many years and their respect and mutual love of music is very apparent watching them perform, and the absolute joy they exude is infectious.
They do take up instruments to perform Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” which is simply fabulous but the real fun is with their vocal repertoire especially, this being December, their medley of xmas songs with “ Sweet Little Jesus Boy” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas” the pick of the bunch, for once seemingly everything being right in the world such is the intent of goodness expressed.
The evening was just a big success and Take 6 duly confirmed that their place in music history is assured, and so, so well deserved.
