Umphrey's McGee - Live 6.27.07 - Charlottesville, VA

The D.U.M.B Tour
Umphrey’s McGee co-headlining with The Disco Biscuits
Charlottesville Pavilion – Charlottesville, VA
June 27, 2007, 6:50PM

Whenever there is a jamband-y show at the Charlottesville Pavilion, the pedestrian mall leading up to the venue gets taken over by swarms of hippies. This amuses me to no end. You can see the look of terror on locals’ faces as they’re dining at the outdoor cafés and are suddenly engulfed in a sea of tie-dye, dreadlocks, and patchouli. It’s one of the few times and places where you witness the awkward, and hilarious, intermingling of the hippies and the squares.

Sadly, I didn’t have time to take all that in like I usually do. I was running late, and my bladder was about to explode. I rushed through the hippie promenade and got to the Pavilion just in time to hear Umphrey’s take the stage. I still hadta pee, and let me tell you, the bathrooms are such an upgrade from the porta-potties that used to be there. Also, LADIES, some really generous female fans of Umphrey’s McGee (a group called 2nd Self) came up with just about the greatest idea I’ve ever seen. They placed baskets of feminine products, hand lotion, condoms, mints, etc. next to all the sinks. How extremely sweet and much appreciated!

I grabbed my first beer and weaved through the crowd. I counted at least 4 Tool shirts on my way to the front, confirming my theory that Umphrey’s is the Tool fans jamband. I made it to the stage at the exact moment they started into the second song of the evening, a long-time favorite of mine, “Jimmy Stewart.”

SETLIST:
Plunger > “Jimmy Stewart” > Plunger > The Fuzz > Partyin’ Peeps, Wizard Burial Ground, Thin Air, Great American > Got Your Milk (Right Here), All In Time, YYZ

The crowd was visibly sluggish from the muggy heat, but “Partyin’ Peeps” got everyone moving and getting their groove on. ♪ The beat is kickin’ in, we’ve got a second wind ♪ Brendan Bayliss’ voice has a quality that breaks into my brain and captures me, very similar to the effect of Incubus’ Brandon Boyd. This is not to diminish the impact of the other band members, since 4 out of the 6 of them are equally active and talented with the vocals. The tightness of the ensemble is impressive; everything they do is gleaming. If they were ever out of step, I didn’t notice it. They improvise and jam, but they serve up their noodles al denté. In one song, they are playing synchronized runs that conjure images of the Allman Brothers, in the next song, they sound like Iron Maiden. Their newest, “Wizard Burial Ground,” was heavy and totally bad ass. Then Joel Cummins brings this jazzy piano solo, paving the way for the percussionists to infuse yet another genre into the mix – bongos + steel drum = Caribbean. Towards the end of their set, Bayliss reenacted Chappelle’s “Tyrone Shuffle”, which seemed to go unnoticed by everyone but me. Brendan, if you read this, I saw that and I cheered! They closed out with a stellar cover of Rush’s “YYZ” (teasing “Spirit of Radio” at the end) which left me even hungrier for more. They’re playing in Norfolk, VA tonight…damn this day job! As the roadies set up for the Disco Biscuits, I found myself wishing that it wasn’t a co-bill. Bisco is alright, but they just don’t do it for me like Umphrey’s McGee.

PS: A thanks to my special friend who made this evening possible

Drive-By Truckers - Live 6.22.07 - Richmond, VA

Drive-By Truckers
Brown’s Island in Richmond, VA
June 22, 2007; 6:00 PM
Opening Act: Patty Hurst Shifter

The Drive-By Truckers kick ass. This was my first time seeing them, but it will definitely not be the last (if I can help it). Why did it take me so long? Well, stupidly, I steered clear of these guys (and gal) for awhile. I wrongfully assumed I wouldn’t get into them because of the twang and storytelling, figured it was too much country for my liking. Then a couple years back, a friend played Southern Rock Opera for me. I did a complete 180. I had to burn a copy immediately.

To get me in the mood, I jammed out to The Dirty South on my drive down the mountain to Richmond. The weather was lovely on Friday night, warm with a nice breeze. We missed most of the opening band, Patty Hurst Shifter, while in line for wristbands and beer. Luckily, the crowd was small enough that we managed to stake a spot up front, center stage. At about 8:00 pm, the Truckers came out, passing a fifth of Jack Daniels while they tuned their instruments. Patterson’s big ‘ole grin is instantly engaging and infectious. “I love you too, fucker,” he replies to a cheering fan as they launch into the first song.

SETLIST:
Bulldozers and Dirt
Uncle Frank
After The Scene Dies (NEW – Patterson)
A Ghost To Most (NEW – Cooley)
The Living Bubba
Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (NEW – Patterson)
Marry Me
Self Destructive Zones
Tales Facing Up
18 Wheels Of Love
Zip City
The Story Of The Road Cases
Road Cases
Shut Up And Get On The Plane
Let There Be Rock
Angels And Fuesalage
Buttholeville->State Trooper->Buttholeville

The highlight of the night for me was the second half of the set – especially “18 Wheels of Love”, a song that’s rarely played. Patterson told a hilarious story of the song’s history – how his mother went to work at a trucking company, met Chester the truck driver, and this song was Patterson’s wedding gift to them. “They were married at Dollywood – I can not make this shit up,” he said. He then told the crowd that Chester has been quite sick as of late, and he was dedicating the night’s performance to him and a speedy recovery. Keep him in your prayers. “Road Cases” was another great one, introduced with a story about the rise and fall of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. “Let There Be Rock” had the whole crowd screaming along with fists raised in the air, “Bon Scott singin’ let there be rock!!!”

It was also cool to hear some of the new material. Patterson revealed that they had just started working on the album a few weeks ago, and they’d be back in December when it was finished. Scott Baxendale, custom guitar extraordinaire, joined the stage for the encore of “Buttholeville” into “State Trooper”.

I was sad to see them go after just one set, but I have no right to complain when it’s free!

Medeski, Martin, & Wood - Live 5.24.07 - Richmond, VA

Medeski Martin & Wood
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA
May 24, 2007, 6:00PM
Ticket Price $25
Opening Act: Homemade Bread

The evening was beautiful – my first time seeing Medeski Martin & Wood and my first visit to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Being there, I remembered how I love plants (not just the ones you smoke ;). I felt an instant sense of peace when I walked through the gates. The flowers and the greenery were in full bloom, little hippie children were running around, and the weather was ideal. I made a spur of the moment decision to go to the show, so I figured it would be a solo venture. Luckily, Amanda had the day off and accompanied me.

We got there about midway through the opening band’s set. Homemade Bread they were called, and they sounded pretty good. Their style was funky and jazzy, and the vocals were solid. The saxophone player, David Gay I believe, really impressed me. Definitely want to check out more from these guys, but I’m having difficulties locating them on the web, can’t even find ‘em on Myspace. I think they need my marketing assistance ;o)

EDIT: I came across this snippet about Homemade Bread on the Haymaker Festival website.

I used the break before MMW to wander around and snap some more pictures of the gardens. Gorgeous! I can’t believe I go to Richmond so frequently and don’t take advantage of that place.

The stroll through the plant labyrinth (along with the beers) had me nicely relaxed and primed for the MMW set. The crowd cheered as John Medeski made his way over to the piano, with Chris Wood and Billy Martin following shortly there after. They each took their time warming up – Medeski getting used to the feel of the piano, Wood tuning his upright bass, Martin organizing his giant arsenal of percussion equipment. Unlike a rock ensemble, where the first song is like a blast to the face; Medeski, Martin, and Wood slowly built up to their introductory number. (Disclaimer: I wasn’t able to identify the tunes by name since I am not very well versed in the MMW catalog). They started off with a straight-up jazz piece. As the intensity built, Martin and Wood brought the rhythm, laying the foundation for Medeski to show his stuff. It wasn’t long before he was standing and strumming the strings of the grand piano as if it were a stringed instrument (well, it is technically, but you know what I mean). For the second song, Medeski pulled out his melodica and Wood switched to the electric bass, and the sound shifted from jazz to world music. They got into some deep grooves throughout their 90 minute set, but the highlight was definitely the encore cover of “What’d I Say?”. People who had been seated all night got up and joined the rest of us in the hippie shuffle. MMW was exactly what the doctor ordered for me, but I heard some folks commenting that it was too jazzy for their tastes. My guess is that most of these people miss the guitar. I thought it was a refreshing change to have the focus be on the piano; I miss that instrument in music. Definitely seeing this trio whenever they come around Virginia again.

Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit - Live 5.9.07 - Richmond, VA

Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit
Innsbrook Pavilion in Glen Allen, VA
May 9, 2007, 6:30 PM

Even though I’ve been to the Innsbrook Pavilion many times before, it still trips me up that the place is nestled inside a giant office park. Not your typical location for a concert venue, but somehow the folks over there have made it work. There are some drawbacks to the area, though. For one, the crowd is normally littered with white-collar professionals who are much more interested in social hour than music (an ongoing beef of mine). Secondly, the security is tighter than the proverbial duck’s arse. While the police presence didn’t confront me none, the constant chitter-chatter certainly cheesed me off. I meandered through the crowd searching for a quiet haven to enjoy the show, which I did, right in front of the speaker. It’s sad when that’s the only place you can go and actually hear over the talking, but hey, you do what you have to do.

By the time I got settled, the sun was setting and the Aquarium Rescue Unit was already about 30 minutes in to their set. The group, considered the forerunner of the modern day jam band scene, has had an ever-changing lineup since its inception in the late 80s. Wednesday night, the ARU consisted of some familiar faces to me – founding member and “Godfather of Jam” Col. Bruce Hampton, current Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring, and the Allman Brothers Band’s current bassist Oteil Burbridge as well as Jeff Sipe aka Apt Q-258 (percussion) and Bobby Lee Rodgers (banjo/vocals) both of whom were new to me. Since this was my first ARU gig, I didn’t recognize much of what I was hearing. You didn’t have to know the songs to know it was some straight-up goodness, though. These guys rarely play together nowadays, so it was beyond a treat to have this opportunity. The band laid down some of the sickest grooves I have ever witnessed – impeccably fusing rock, bluegrass, jazz, you name it. I have heard before that Oteil is limited by the Allman Brothers Band; judging by his performance Wednesday night, that assessment is correct. He really took command over a good portion of the show, singing and scatting while dropping some scorching hot bass lines. Someone awesome captured footage and posted it on YouTube –

When Oteil wasn’t directing traffic, Col. Bruce graced us with his rough and rootsy vocals. Even though he is considered the band leader, he deserves to lay low if that’s what he’s feeling – the man is an unacknowledged legend. He just has that quality about him – you know you’re in the presence of greatness. And then there’s Jimmy Herring, who is a master of his craft. Most people know Warren Haynes is one of my favorite living guitarists, but Jimmy is now closing that gap. He shreds it and totally floors me with his solos. If he sang, too, Warren might have a real fight on his hands. See what I mean –

Towards the middle of the set, Derek Trucks came out for a few songs and we got a short glimpse of the amazing chemistry between him and Jimmy (more to come during the DTB set). Then, a very young man appeared on the drums who was later identified as Derek’s little brother, Duane. With their uncle Butch playing drums for the Allman Brothers, the Trucks family is building quite the musical pedigree. The ARU closed out their set with a splendid rendition of “Turn On Your Lovelight,” and the roadies got to work on setting up DTB ’s equipment.

If you EVER have the opportunity to see the Aquarium Rescue Unit, you absolutely should. They made a hell of a first impression on me. I have run out of ways to say amazing, so I’ll just leave it at that.

PS: A special thanks to the wonderful man who made this evening possible :P