Feelin’ Kinda Funky With John Kilzer and The Way at the @LevittShell #SidSelvidgeTribute @MADJACKRecords

How many people can say they’ve been a star basketball player, a college professor and poet, a songwriter, a rock-and-roll star and then a pastor? That unlikely odyssey is reality for John Kilzer, one of Memphis’ best-beloved basketball stars in his youth who went on to become one of Memphis’ best-beloved music figures. He was also a close friend of Sid Selvidge’s which is why his appearance at the Levitt Shell Tuesday night was so appropriate. Kilzer for the most part stuck to songs from his 2011 masterpiece album Seven, opening with his ballad “The Stranger”, but the high point (at least for me) was his climactic performance of the album opener “Kentucky Water” featuring guest appearances from vocalist Susan Marshall and Reba Russell as well as trumpeter Scott Thompson and saxman Jim Spake. That tune, with its soulful, funky feel and dadaist lyrics sounds like what might have been the result had Bob Dylan decided to record at Royal Studios with Hi Rhythm.