Live At The Belly Up Tavern
Regime, 2025
9/10
Listen to Live At The Belly Up Tavern
The Grammy Award winning percussionist and bandleader, Poncho Sanchez, fleshes out these live tracks at the Southern California venue Belly Up Tavern, and it captures their inimitable rhythm and memorable storytelling superbly.
“A Bientot” opens with the warm keys and playful percussion that benefits from Tom Luer’s tenor sax, and “Poncho's Beat” continues the festivities with Andy Langham’s firm keys that suit the lively brass and group vocals.
Arriving in the middle, Ron Blakes’ meticulous trumpet guides the melodic “Night Dream”, while “Aunque Tu” trims the pace back with cultured intimacy via the pretty singing and gentle instrumentation that’s heartfelt.
Late in the set, “Batiri Cha Cha” keeps the party strong thanks to the Jose Perez’s timbales and Ross Schodek’s animated bass, and “Guachi Guara (Soul Sauce)” exits the evening with Luer’s quick flute and Giancarlo Anderson’s meticulous drumming adding much energy.
Now 30+ albums deep in his catalog, Sanchez leads his band through plenty of grooves, cha cha moments, vocal hooks, mambo and many other festive ideas that sound great and are executed flawlessly.
Travels well with: Tower Of Power- It’s Christmas; Spanish Harlem Orchestra- Imágenes Latinas