George Clinton 7/8/17 Hamden Town Center

Highlight of the Friday night Hamden Bandshell series with George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. The traveling circus that is GC and P-funk have been funkin it up since the early 70s. While the cast of characters has evolved through the years (r.i.p. Bernie Worrell), GC's loose booty brand of Afro-futuristic funk is a sight to behold. With anywhere from 8 to 20 people on stage, the crew lightly adheres to P-funk hits from the songbook. GC, who must be in his mid70s, has amazing stamina. Clad in a shiny papal frock and a Thurston Howell III cap, GC assumes the role of funk master of ceremonies. Guitars, sax, backing singers and dancers, a half naked drummer, rappers, and crowd cajolers all have their place in this troupe. After a rainy day, a large crowd was on hand for the spectacle. I didn't recognize much from the first set except a lengthy rendition of Flashlight. Given the late start, a less seasoned artist might have stopped after the first set, but this is George Clinton, and nobody is gonna stop the party but him. The "encores" went on for another hour touching on Walking The Dog, P-funk wants to get Funked Up, and Tear the Roof Off The Sucker, before the obligatory and incendiary guitar solo that is Maggot Brain. I got a sense that the town elders (and local police) were nervous that this party may never end. Alas, all parties must end, and this one closed with a great version of Super Stupid, complete with a crowd sing-along of "shit, goddam, get off your ass and jam!"