The Toledo Show : Family's Running Deep

This is Toledo Diamond

This is Jessie Payo

That's Tom McNalley backing up Toledo

Walter Davis with unknown Dame

Like some kind of Ambien™ hazed Bootsy Collins nightmare-on-wax, The Toledo Show peeled itself back - like a royal purple onion - revealing family, friends and funk; spectacularly - Harvelle's darling Jessie Payo reuniting with Mr Toledo Diamond himself front and center; familiarly - the return of the forever vocals of Rachel Lynn to So Cal; and funkily - the knock-down drag-out rhythm section of Brian Allen on bass plus (any and all drummers including Asa Watkins &) Punky!! (also of note: the appearance onstage of SoulFunk vet, guitarist Tom McNalley).

Toledo and Jessie reunited

That's Rachel Lynn

(Come check her out solo on Wednesday night before House Of Vibe)

Toledo TIme : STOP! In The Name Of FUNK

George Clinton - long considered one of the true pioneers of funk (Bootsy Collins, George Duke and of course Sly Stone are some of the others) - posed this musical "q & a" on his 1975 track "Mothership Connection"::

Q:Is there funk after death?

A:Is Seven Up?

I hate when a question is answered with another question, but I always thought this particular notion was one to analyze, as that seems like the only answer available.
Things can get dark and baadassss when Toledo takes the stage. Backed by Asa on the drums, flanked by Spoonie (bass) & Brew (keys) on his left and Walter (sax), Shamari (vocals) & Rock (guitar) on his right, they're a veritable P-Funk Army frontline.

No one has proven George's QA theory beyond a shadow of a doubt - Isaac Hayes, James Brown and Billy Preston remain silent - but if it's gonna be known, it might be at a Toledo show. Ain't nobody fakin' it up in here.

Toledo Diamond is the real deal.

He talks the talk. He walks the walk. He dances the dance, tells the story, sings the song, makes zeee love and smokes the Erik™ cigars!! But most importantly he brings the funk!
The Toledo Show is at Harvelle's in Santa Monica every Sunday night. Showtime is promptly at 9:30, but get there early, you'll want to be able to have a good view, and the show is always standing room only.

all pix taken at Harvelle's with the Hipstamatic™ app for the iPhone™

Thanks to Cevin and David at Harvelle's!!

Special shout-outs to the Toledo Show Dames :

Ashley, Erin and Mindy and the

Harvelle's cocktail servers :

Emily and Melinda

Toledo Show Images

The long running Toledo Show is every Sunday night at Harvelle's. This soul-funk burlesque cabaret stars the charismatic Toledo Diamond as ring leader to the Dames, the band and the emotions of the audience.