After seeing this show, I realize that I was too generous in my review of last night's show (November 12th). I feel like the last review was like a man that has been starving who then gets a McDonald's hamburger; it may be low grade dog meat but it tastes like fillet to him. While the 12th wasnt exactly low grade dog meat, this show was filet mnigon....it was on fire!!! One of the best Grateful Dead type shows that I have seen in over 15 years; this includes Jerry Garcia's last show at Soldier Field. The audience was on fire and we lit the band on fire
1st Set
To open up, we got to hear the familiar sounds New Minglewood Blues. While this standard can be routine at times, tonight Furthur was far from just going through the motions. This was the beginning of a great first set. On to a classic Dire Wolf, Mama Tried and rounding out this tour of Americana Doin' That Rag. Dipping deep into "hippiedom" with Mason's Children (not a favorite of mine but a classic none the less). For the first but not last time of the night Bobby gave us a taste of one of my favorite tunes with Passenger. Back to the '60s and into Caution which they have been playing as of recently. While I was listening to the music I realized that this night has not been as much about what they played but how they played it. During that realization, I start hearing the familiar sound of the Beatles; they decided to end the set with fantastic cover of Get Back. Then they are off to "think it over"
2nd Set
We are back into one of my favorite periods of Grateful Dead's history, the late '70s and early '80s with a Lost Sailor-> Saint of Circumstance opener......"SURE DONT KNOW WHAT I'M GOING FOR....BUT I'M GONNA GO FOR IT FOR SURE" that sums it all up. Sometimes these guys are just on!!! They then moved on to a new quasi original song called Mountain Song, written and arranged, through time, by different members of The Airplane, Robert Hunter, CSN and Y, Phil Lesh, Brian Lesh. David Crosby seems to get the most credit for this song but the most recent arrangement seems to be the work of Phil and Brian Lesh. Mountain Song was great with the band making some beautiful harmonies to the refrain of "Gonna make the mountains be my home!" They then cut back to the familiar and high energy I Know You Rider. Coming out of Rider they went into a solid Morning Dew. With this Dew, I now have gained new respect for John Kaldecik.....he made that song his bitch! A favorite of mine has always been Unbroken Chain and the first time that I got to hear the Grateful Dead play it was horrible (and it was their last concert ever) Tonight Unbroken Chain was solid. Into Terrapin Suite.... not just Terrapin Station but the second part as well which I have only heard on the album. While they were on this phychedelic kick they moved into the Eleven and then after some circular jamming, they big bass line comes and we go into The Other One, to close the show. This being Saturday night, they encored with One More Saturday Night.
The set list was not as important as the quality of the music. This show was high quality and left me wanting more. There are tighter bands, faster musicians and prettier voices but that is not what a band like this is about. This was an exchange of energy that used music as it's medium. It left me feeling electric and ready for the next one.
Eric
Monday, November 15, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Furthur Night 1 UIC Pavilon- A Taste of Pigpen
It was good to be back at a show with my buddy Courtenay. We went to about 40 GD shows together in the early 90s. Thanks to Facebook, we have been re-acquainted.
Pulling up to the show I noticed that this scene seemed a lot more tame than what I witnessed from the mid 80's to the mid 90's....even more tame than the Gathering of the Vibes show this summer (East Coast Shows always had more intensity in my eyes). What I saw was a bunch of 40 and 50 year old (likely) suburban parents that were excited to get another shot at "it". When Courtenay pointed out the balding man walking in front of us with the gray beard and said "that is you in a couple of years" I realized that I was one of these 40 year olds looking for "it". As we got closer to the doors, I noticed more of the scene I remember. Plenty of people looking for a "miracle", one person looking to trade "stuff" for a ticket etc...
The Pavilion was plenty small for the Grateful Dead (they did play here before the release of In the Dark) but the fact that it wasn't sold out reminded me that this was NOT the Grateful Dead. The sites and sounds all started to look more familiar. Not to sound cheesy but, I started to see more of the brotherhood. I looked around and saw the kids that were between 16-25 years old going after the same good time I was 20+ years ago. I saw the other older people that remember the good times. I reminded myself that I was one of those kids in the 80s and that there were 40 year olds looking at me remembering their old days. This was a scene with no bad vibes.
Set 1-
On to the music. I have mentioned that this is not the Grateful Dead and that John Kaldecik is no Jerry Garcia., That is OK, this band has their own values (as does Kaldecik). The opener was Jack Straw and it was solid. My biggest complaint was not about the band, it was about the sound. The volume was too low and the mix was not great. I have the habit of singing along and this can be pretty embarrassing if the music isn't loud. On to Mississippi Half Step and Ramble on Rose, neither of which ever did much for me especially when the band tried adding a bit flavor to 'Half Step by echoing the chorus. After adjusting my contact lenses in the bathroom during Ramble on Rose, I came back to Big River (always a classic) followed by Tom Thumb Blues (cant have a first set without a Dylan tune.) The night was then highlighted by Dear Prudence the band played tight and harmonized well. Ending the 1st set on a high note we got Alligator and Hard to Handle with Bob Weir trying to add some James Brown type funk to the jam by singing "sock it to me" inside of the groove.. This ending set the stage for a second set that was inspired by the Grateful Dead of the late 60s and the nasty blues songs of Pigpen.
Set 2-
The mix was improved and sound turned up. It seems like the 2nd set has always been more of a "spacey,funky" phychedelic adventure with more freedom than the 1st set. This second set didn't fail us. We opened up with a greasy Alligator that progressed into a free-form jam that turned into Darkstar. After a 10 minute Darkstar, I got to hear one of my favorite sounds in music.....the sound of Phil Lesh letting you know it is time for Shakedown Street with a big nasty bass note that says "get up and dance!!!" Of course Kaldicek, right on queue came in with the sweet funky sounds of his guitar. This was one of "those" moments. I opened my eyes long enough to see the 450Lb man next to me making full John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever hand motions; it was something to see with his short sleeve tye-dye and full length tattoo sleeves on both sides. The Shakedown slowed down and regressed back into the slow bluesy phychedelic Viola Lee which then digressed until we hear "seems like we've been here before!" Yes, Furthur was taking it deep into the late 60s with Born Cross Eyed (which I didn't even recognize at first) back into Viola Lee back into Dark Star. For fans of the old Grateful Dead and the phychedelic blues sound, this was a tasty treat. We came out of the '60s into one of the more sentimental moments of the night which was Standing on the Moon. I closed my eyes remembered the good times with Jerry Garcia belting out the line "RATHER BE WITH YOU!!!" The song was more than sentimental, it was solid. While I hear what I believe is Further fixin' to play Good Lovin' they instead go into New Speedway Boogie. NSB has always been one of my favorites and this one didn't let me down. They ended with Good Lovin' with some short Bobby screams.
Encore-
OK, this one might not make me real popular but Box of Rain is not one of my favorites but, I dealt with it. The real treat was when I got to hear Ripple live for the first time (yes, the first time.). This ended my night on high note and I am excited to go back again tonight.
Eric
Pulling up to the show I noticed that this scene seemed a lot more tame than what I witnessed from the mid 80's to the mid 90's....even more tame than the Gathering of the Vibes show this summer (East Coast Shows always had more intensity in my eyes). What I saw was a bunch of 40 and 50 year old (likely) suburban parents that were excited to get another shot at "it". When Courtenay pointed out the balding man walking in front of us with the gray beard and said "that is you in a couple of years" I realized that I was one of these 40 year olds looking for "it". As we got closer to the doors, I noticed more of the scene I remember. Plenty of people looking for a "miracle", one person looking to trade "stuff" for a ticket etc...
The Pavilion was plenty small for the Grateful Dead (they did play here before the release of In the Dark) but the fact that it wasn't sold out reminded me that this was NOT the Grateful Dead. The sites and sounds all started to look more familiar. Not to sound cheesy but, I started to see more of the brotherhood. I looked around and saw the kids that were between 16-25 years old going after the same good time I was 20+ years ago. I saw the other older people that remember the good times. I reminded myself that I was one of those kids in the 80s and that there were 40 year olds looking at me remembering their old days. This was a scene with no bad vibes.
Set 1-
On to the music. I have mentioned that this is not the Grateful Dead and that John Kaldecik is no Jerry Garcia., That is OK, this band has their own values (as does Kaldecik). The opener was Jack Straw and it was solid. My biggest complaint was not about the band, it was about the sound. The volume was too low and the mix was not great. I have the habit of singing along and this can be pretty embarrassing if the music isn't loud. On to Mississippi Half Step and Ramble on Rose, neither of which ever did much for me especially when the band tried adding a bit flavor to 'Half Step by echoing the chorus. After adjusting my contact lenses in the bathroom during Ramble on Rose, I came back to Big River (always a classic) followed by Tom Thumb Blues (cant have a first set without a Dylan tune.) The night was then highlighted by Dear Prudence the band played tight and harmonized well. Ending the 1st set on a high note we got Alligator and Hard to Handle with Bob Weir trying to add some James Brown type funk to the jam by singing "sock it to me" inside of the groove.. This ending set the stage for a second set that was inspired by the Grateful Dead of the late 60s and the nasty blues songs of Pigpen.
Set 2-
The mix was improved and sound turned up. It seems like the 2nd set has always been more of a "spacey,funky" phychedelic adventure with more freedom than the 1st set. This second set didn't fail us. We opened up with a greasy Alligator that progressed into a free-form jam that turned into Darkstar. After a 10 minute Darkstar, I got to hear one of my favorite sounds in music.....the sound of Phil Lesh letting you know it is time for Shakedown Street with a big nasty bass note that says "get up and dance!!!" Of course Kaldicek, right on queue came in with the sweet funky sounds of his guitar. This was one of "those" moments. I opened my eyes long enough to see the 450Lb man next to me making full John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever hand motions; it was something to see with his short sleeve tye-dye and full length tattoo sleeves on both sides. The Shakedown slowed down and regressed back into the slow bluesy phychedelic Viola Lee which then digressed until we hear "seems like we've been here before!" Yes, Furthur was taking it deep into the late 60s with Born Cross Eyed (which I didn't even recognize at first) back into Viola Lee back into Dark Star. For fans of the old Grateful Dead and the phychedelic blues sound, this was a tasty treat. We came out of the '60s into one of the more sentimental moments of the night which was Standing on the Moon. I closed my eyes remembered the good times with Jerry Garcia belting out the line "RATHER BE WITH YOU!!!" The song was more than sentimental, it was solid. While I hear what I believe is Further fixin' to play Good Lovin' they instead go into New Speedway Boogie. NSB has always been one of my favorites and this one didn't let me down. They ended with Good Lovin' with some short Bobby screams.
Encore-
OK, this one might not make me real popular but Box of Rain is not one of my favorites but, I dealt with it. The real treat was when I got to hear Ripple live for the first time (yes, the first time.). This ended my night on high note and I am excited to go back again tonight.
Eric
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Furthur @ Gathering of the Vibes on July 30th
Things Change.
Walking to the venue and not knowing what to expect I ran into some of the familiar sites and sounds of my past (tempted to say "my youth"). The closer I got the more familiar it was. We were walking out of the college neighborhood of Bridgeport and into our world. I see all the categories.... middle aged music fans, earth loving hippies, kids trying hard to be earth loving hippies, kids trying hard to show you that they are earth loving hippies, families trying to explain "it" to the first timers that they are bringing, people that are looking for an excuse to party and freaks (you know the ones...they could be at a hard core punk show or here with this crowd and either way, it makes sense). The scene was benevolent and I was happy to be in it as I always have felt at home in this scene. It was good to be here with my big brother, Greg. Greg was the person that brought me to my first Grateful Dead show and we haven't been to a show together for 20 years (our last show together was Brent's last show with the G. Dead). After we got past the campgrounds, Greg and I set up shop behind a screen slightly stage left about halfway back from the stage.
I cant find a set list anywhere online to go over the specific tunes in order but, I can go into a few tunes that I liked. They opened with Golden Road and it was solid. Estimated Prophet was the highlight of the first set. Second set highlight was the closer of Help>Slip>Frank. The bottom line is the songs are the songs and some are better than others and some are better than others on one night vs. another.
The real thing to talk about hear is the band. There was something that happened at a Grateful Dead show and anyone that has been there remembers it well. When you were there, there was an energy exchange. You gave the band what you had and they gave it back to you with some mind blowing and sense tingling music. It would rev you up and you would give it right back to them just so they can give back to you again...this was the "Unbroken Chain...the connection between us and them. I am likely to harsh some people's mellow when I say this but, this is what is missing. Do you remember what the feeling was like to travel to see the G. Dead and finally get inside the venue after hanging in the lot...right before the lights go out, you see that grey mop of hair walk out behind the amps....the energy increases as you realize the fat man is going to take you for a ride? Appreciate that part of your own personal history because as enjoyable as the music is, that part is no longer here. All is not lost, Furthur was good. Phill Lesh deserves his spot amongst the great bass players. He is always on point but seems to have gotten better as time goes on; furthermore, his singing was better than I have ever heard it. Bob Weir is much better in this environment then he was with Rat Dog and it is good to see him back in shape. Keyboardist Jeff Chimenti was fantastic on keys he gave a great sound to the band this night. John Kadlecik sounded good. He has been described as a Garcia savant. The "Garcia-like" riffs are where I am torn. Kadlecik played very good Jerry Garcia music. I like the sound but what is missing is that energy exchange. Jerry played what he did because we gave him our best and he in turn gave it back to us. Kadlecik is playing this style because that is what Jerry did. I will call this the difference between art and craft. Kadlecik is a first rate craftsman and I enjoy his music.
I will go to see Further again. Part of it is to reminisce but another part is to enjoy the music that I love.
Eric
Walking to the venue and not knowing what to expect I ran into some of the familiar sites and sounds of my past (tempted to say "my youth"). The closer I got the more familiar it was. We were walking out of the college neighborhood of Bridgeport and into our world. I see all the categories.... middle aged music fans, earth loving hippies, kids trying hard to be earth loving hippies, kids trying hard to show you that they are earth loving hippies, families trying to explain "it" to the first timers that they are bringing, people that are looking for an excuse to party and freaks (you know the ones...they could be at a hard core punk show or here with this crowd and either way, it makes sense). The scene was benevolent and I was happy to be in it as I always have felt at home in this scene. It was good to be here with my big brother, Greg. Greg was the person that brought me to my first Grateful Dead show and we haven't been to a show together for 20 years (our last show together was Brent's last show with the G. Dead). After we got past the campgrounds, Greg and I set up shop behind a screen slightly stage left about halfway back from the stage.
I cant find a set list anywhere online to go over the specific tunes in order but, I can go into a few tunes that I liked. They opened with Golden Road and it was solid. Estimated Prophet was the highlight of the first set. Second set highlight was the closer of Help>Slip>Frank. The bottom line is the songs are the songs and some are better than others and some are better than others on one night vs. another.
The real thing to talk about hear is the band. There was something that happened at a Grateful Dead show and anyone that has been there remembers it well. When you were there, there was an energy exchange. You gave the band what you had and they gave it back to you with some mind blowing and sense tingling music. It would rev you up and you would give it right back to them just so they can give back to you again...this was the "Unbroken Chain...the connection between us and them. I am likely to harsh some people's mellow when I say this but, this is what is missing. Do you remember what the feeling was like to travel to see the G. Dead and finally get inside the venue after hanging in the lot...right before the lights go out, you see that grey mop of hair walk out behind the amps....the energy increases as you realize the fat man is going to take you for a ride? Appreciate that part of your own personal history because as enjoyable as the music is, that part is no longer here. All is not lost, Furthur was good. Phill Lesh deserves his spot amongst the great bass players. He is always on point but seems to have gotten better as time goes on; furthermore, his singing was better than I have ever heard it. Bob Weir is much better in this environment then he was with Rat Dog and it is good to see him back in shape. Keyboardist Jeff Chimenti was fantastic on keys he gave a great sound to the band this night. John Kadlecik sounded good. He has been described as a Garcia savant. The "Garcia-like" riffs are where I am torn. Kadlecik played very good Jerry Garcia music. I like the sound but what is missing is that energy exchange. Jerry played what he did because we gave him our best and he in turn gave it back to us. Kadlecik is playing this style because that is what Jerry did. I will call this the difference between art and craft. Kadlecik is a first rate craftsman and I enjoy his music.
I will go to see Further again. Part of it is to reminisce but another part is to enjoy the music that I love.
Eric
Thursday, July 29, 2010
My write up of The Levon Helm Band w/ Willie Nelson @ Radio City July 28th
Just a quick rundown:
1) LHB- As “on” as ever. Theresa Williams and Amy Helm both belted it out of the park with their songs. Theresa even was a bit reminiscent of Patty Smyth. Brian Mitchell, continues to take on a more important and well deserved roll with the band tearing it up with a Shape opener and Bourgeois Town. As always the horns were on fire with the biggest stand out being Clark Gayton…same as it ever was, that boy can play the 'bone! If All on a Mardi Gras Day, sung by Brian Mitchell, with a spotlight on the LHB horn section, doesn’t make you feel good, nothing will. Stand out special guest and friend of LHB was Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) playing the whole show . What a treat to hear King Harvest sung by Fagen (my favorite song). Levon’s voice was a little more raspy than usual but warm and “homey” (this is about 4 weeks into what appears to be a pretty heavy tour). Lastly, as one would expect Willie Nelson came out on stage for The Weight. What I didn’t expect is that Willie didn’t take a verse and added very little to the song.
2) Willie- Let me start by saying that Willie is an American Classic He has a following that makes him the headliner. Willie’s songs have all of the humor and heart that should represent the US. Not only that, anyone that listens to Willie long enough will realize that he is a fantastic guitar player that can hold his own with any band…..without a doubt amongst the best guitar players in country music. Willie’s band was as basic as it gets Bass, Piano, Harmonica, snare drum (that is it….just a snare) and Willie. Willie came out and opened up with the song that I was there to see- Whiskey River!!! However, it had very little heart and seemed off . Without any pauses he went through his first 4 songs. I thought that this was show was going to be a letdown. His band was solid but didn’t add much to the show (I am not sure that the snare did more than a metronome would). As time went on Willie got better and better. He started to speak with the audience and tell stories.Wille picked it up on his guitar got into his music. We began to see the classic Willie. He made a turn around and gave us an OK show. To be fair I think any musician coming on stage after LHB is in trouble.
3) The third star of the show. While it may be no big deal to you New Yorkers, The Radio City Music Hall, is one of the best venues that I have been to and what I will call the 3rd star of the show. The art deco design, while not ornate, is very pretty. The seats are comfy and the sound is perfect. New Yorkers, appreciate the treat that you have.
Overall, LHB made it worth the price of admission.
Just a quick rundown:
1) LHB- As “on” as ever. Theresa Williams and Amy Helm both belted it out of the park with their songs. Theresa even was a bit reminiscent of Patty Smyth. Brian Mitchell, continues to take on a more important and well deserved roll with the band tearing it up with a Shape opener and Bourgeois Town. As always the horns were on fire with the biggest stand out being Clark Gayton…same as it ever was, that boy can play the 'bone! If All on a Mardi Gras Day, sung by Brian Mitchell, with a spotlight on the LHB horn section, doesn’t make you feel good, nothing will. Stand out special guest and friend of LHB was Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) playing the whole show . What a treat to hear King Harvest sung by Fagen (my favorite song). Levon’s voice was a little more raspy than usual but warm and “homey” (this is about 4 weeks into what appears to be a pretty heavy tour). Lastly, as one would expect Willie Nelson came out on stage for The Weight. What I didn’t expect is that Willie didn’t take a verse and added very little to the song.
2) Willie- Let me start by saying that Willie is an American Classic He has a following that makes him the headliner. Willie’s songs have all of the humor and heart that should represent the US. Not only that, anyone that listens to Willie long enough will realize that he is a fantastic guitar player that can hold his own with any band…..without a doubt amongst the best guitar players in country music. Willie’s band was as basic as it gets Bass, Piano, Harmonica, snare drum (that is it….just a snare) and Willie. Willie came out and opened up with the song that I was there to see- Whiskey River!!! However, it had very little heart and seemed off . Without any pauses he went through his first 4 songs. I thought that this was show was going to be a letdown. His band was solid but didn’t add much to the show (I am not sure that the snare did more than a metronome would). As time went on Willie got better and better. He started to speak with the audience and tell stories.Wille picked it up on his guitar got into his music. We began to see the classic Willie. He made a turn around and gave us an OK show. To be fair I think any musician coming on stage after LHB is in trouble.
3) The third star of the show. While it may be no big deal to you New Yorkers, The Radio City Music Hall, is one of the best venues that I have been to and what I will call the 3rd star of the show. The art deco design, while not ornate, is very pretty. The seats are comfy and the sound is perfect. New Yorkers, appreciate the treat that you have.
Overall, LHB made it worth the price of admission.
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