My Year in Music 2008
Raw Statistics
Total Shows – 21 (including 2 double bills)
Festivals – Jam in the Dam (12 sets), Broadway Bloc Party (3 sets) & Rothbury (23 sets)
Individual Breakdown
Lotus – 6
Sound Tribe Sector 9 – 6
Umphrey’s McGee – 5
the Disco Biscuits – 4
The Bridge – 2
Medeski Martin & Wood – 2
New Monsoon – 2
Perpetual Groove – 2
Tea Leaf Green – 2
Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll & Sipe – 2
Studio Albums
5) Al & The Transamericans – “This Day & Age”
Chances are if you listen to Sirius 17 Jam_ON you’ve heard the song “Light of the Moon” off this album at least once. While “Moon” is certainly the best track, the rest of this second offering from moe. guitarist Al Schnier’s alt country side project is not to be missed. The album was released late in the year with little fanfare and only 1000 copies were made, so I think it flew largely under the radar. But from the opening “Somewhere in Kansas” to the closing “Promised Land” every track is solid if not very good. Schnier (guitar & mandolin) and Gordon Stone (banjo & pedal steel) share a nice chemistry that carries this twangy rock masterpiece.
4) Sound Tribe Sector 9 – “Peaceblaster”
The fourth full length studio release from the Bay Area jamtronica quintet was their most mature to date. The boys mostly stayed away from studio tricks that they can’t recreate in a live setting, focusing instead on stuff that translates to shows. The opening four tracks of “Peaceblaster ’68 > Peaceblaster ’08, Metameme, Shock Doctrine” starts things off with a bang. The album kind of drags in the middle but closes with some solid tunes like “Hidden Hand, Hidden Fist”, “The New Soma” and “Oh Little Brain.” I really liked the final track “Squishface”, bad sadly it never made it to the stage.
3) Drew Emmitt – “Long Road”
There isn’t a bad song on Drew Emmitt’s third solo album since the end of Leftover Salmon. You’ve got rollicking new originals (“Gold Hill Line”, “Get ‘er Rollin’” & “Long Road”), a few ballads (“Into the Distance”, “Beat of the World” & “I’m Alive”), a new instrumental (“Cloud City”), a previously unreleased LoS staple (“River’s Risin’”) and covers of Supertramp (“Take the Long Way Home”), Marshall Tucker Band (“Take the Highway”) and Van Morrison (“Gypsy in My Soul”). Not to mention a list of guest musicians that includes Jeff Sipe, John Cowan, Ronnie McCoury and Billy Nershi. I’m not sure if this was meant to be a concept album or not, but the theme of travel runs throughout as well.
2) Stanton Moore Trio – “Emphasis! (On Parenthesis)”
Stanton’s trio consists of him on drums, Will Bernard on guitar and Robert Walter on keys. They play a mixture of straight ahead jazz-funk and power rock. It’s the kind of music you’d love to hear at some packed late night venue in New Orleans. From the opening number “(Late Night at the) Maple Leaf” you know what you are in for. That said things can get a little heavy and out there too with tunes like “(Proper) Gander”, “Wissions (of Vu)”, “(I Have) Super Strength”, and “(Who Ate the) Layer Cake.” But mostly this album brings the fun on tracks like “(Sifting Through the) African Diaspora”, “Thanks! (Again)” and “(Here Come) the Brown Police.” If your party ever needs a pick me up, look no further.
1) Mike Gordon – “The Green Sparrow”
Mike’s first album with his new solo band (which he plans to keep together BTW) is so good it’s almost surprising. Yes it has some of the usual Gordon quirk that we all know and love (“Voices”, Pretend”, “Radar Blip”, “Morphing Again” & “Sound”), but it’s the overall swing and groove of the album that will catch your ear. The opening bass drop of “Another Door” is so infectious that it begs you to listen to the whole album from start to finish. “Door”, “Dig Further Down”, “Traveled Too Far”, “Andelman’s Yard”, and “Jaded” are all so good it’s hard to pick a favorite from the bunch. One can only hope that a few tunes from this album make it into Phish 3.0’s repertoire. Anyway, I dare anyone that listens to this album three times not to like it. It’s just not possible.
Official Live Releases
5) Toubab Krewe – “Live at the Orange Peel” – CD compilation of 12/30-31/07
Another late in the year release showcases how the youngsters from Asheville, NC have grown from buzz band to a force to be reckoned with. No one can deny that they have created their own sound (much like STS9), but their overall strength and sharpness is on full display here. The opening duo of “Autorail, Lamine’s Tune” takes you on a journey from floating melodies to groovy darkness. As much as “51 ft Ladder” (another Jam_ON staple) showcases their maturation, “Maliba” takes you back to their roots as an African fusion band. My only complaint with this disc is that the spoken word sections featuring Umar Bin Hassan slows the momentum down.
4) Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll & Sipe – “Live” – 2 CD’s & DVD compilation of winter tour 2007-2008
This release is a must have for any Keller fan, and I’d argue any fan of the Dead as well. The reason I say that is, whether it’s intended or not, Gibb Droll’s guitar tone is uncannily reminiscent of Jerry Garcia’s to my ear. The music is different than the Dead’s of course, but when the WMD’S get way out there and start jamming, the way Droll sprinkles in his licks over the top is very Jerry-esque. Even if you hate K-Dub, you should check these discs out. The reason being is that all the songs take on a new life with Droll, Keith Moseley (bass) and Jeff Sipe (drums). They don’t sound like a new band either. They are tight and focused and jam with a purpose. The DVD production is a little cheap visually, but the music is as crisp as ever. I’ll be the first to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with this release, and I’m willing to bet that you will be too.
3) Grateful Dead – “Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978” – 3 CD’s & DVD compilation of 9/15-16/78
The much celebrated Dead shows at the base of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx were finally released 30 years later. These shows (9/14 was lost) are legend amongst heads for the both the setting of the shows and how average the band played. Well since I’m no expert on the Dead, I thought they sounded pretty good. My favorite disc is probably the bonus CD (great “Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World”), but the other discs aren’t bad by any means. (Disc 2 features the second live version ever of “Shakedown Street.”) The DVD quality is a little grainy, and doesn’t feature any songs not already on the CD’s, but for those looking to experience the Dead in Egypt, it will do just fine.
2) moe. – “Dr. Stan’s Prescription Volume 1” – 3 CD’s of complete 3/8/04 and 3/17/95
All I can say about the first release in moe.’s new archival series is “Thank you Dr. Stan!” Culled from the second show of the debut moe.cruise, the boys were obviously fired up. Opening with “Bring it Back Home” got the party started right. The next highlight of disc 1 is “Hi & Low > Bring You Down” followed by the set closing “Brent Black.” The second set is really where it’s at though with “Recreational Chemistry > Turn on Your Lovelight > Recreational Chemistry > Lost Pirate Jam > Captain America” starting things off. Pure unadulterated moe. The encore of The Band’s “The Weight” caps off an epic show in style.
What really makes this release though is the filler. 3/17/95 finds the boys opening for Leftover Salmon, in Vail, at what sounds like a local bar, on St. Patrick’s Day. The shows starts with “Dr. Graffenberg > Hava Negilah” and features a plethora of would be future moe. staples played bare bones style (no extended jamming) for a crowd that was obviously hearing them for the first time. The closing duo of “Armageddon Jig, Farmer Ben” showcases moe.’s peculiar sense of humor.
1) Phish – “At the Roxy” – 9 CD’s of complete 2/19-21/93 and 3/28/92
The story of this release has to start with the bonus CD of 3/28/92. While the show itself is nothing special, it’s notable because Phish had to stop playing after their first set due to a small flood in the theater. So after they sang four barbershop quartet tunes a cappella (the entire second set) they promised to make it up to the peeps next time they were in Atlanta. And make it up did they ever!
The following eight discs showcase the band at the height of their theater powers before they blew up into the arena phenomenon they now are. As any phan would tell you, the second set of 2/20/93 is a legendary segue-fest (a must hear if you haven’t already). But the first set of 2/20 isn’t too shabby either.
Speaking of not too shabby, 2/19 was drummer Jon Fishman’s 28th birthday and finds the band in a very loose and playful mood (Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick” anyone?). Jimmy Herring (then of Aquarium Rescue Unit) sits in on guitar for “Funky Bitch, My Sweet One, Love You & Llama.”
2/21 is only 2 discs (the other nights are 3) but brings the heat just the same. The highlight of 2/21 has to be the bluegrass encore featuring the Reverend Jeff Mosier on banjo. “Good Times Bad Times > Paul and Silas > Pig in a Pen” says it all. If I know you, and you like Phish, you better already own this.
Worst Show
3/16/08 – Perpetual Groove – Amsterdam, NL – The Old Hall, Melkweg (2nd show)
Robot Waltz, Crapshoot, Crockett & Tubbs, Save For One, Out Here, Mr. Transistor > (I'd Go The) Whole Wide World* > Mr. Transistor
* 1st time played
You’d think it impossible to almost fall asleep during your first show of your second Jam in the Dam. But that was almost the case here. Teri and I had to leave the room before we became one with the wood bench we were sitting on. PGroove’s droning sound and endless guitar wah-wah’ing was not what we were looking for...AT ALL! So much so that my worst show was a no brainer this year.
Top 10
10) 3/16/08 – Lotus – Amsterdam, NL – The Old Hall, Melkweg (7th show)
Bubonic Tonic, Wooly Mammoth, Flower Sermon, Kesey Seed, Wax, Plant Your Root > Greet the Mind, Bellwether, Shimmer and Out
Lotus was by far the most consistently good band I saw at Jam in the Dam ’08. Each of their shows was in the smaller room and had energy so thick you could reach out and touch it. Since these shows weren’t taped or released by anyone, it’s hard for me to remember specifics, but I think I walked in around the end of “Flower Sermon” or beginning of “Kesey Seed.” From there it was a straight up dance party that went to 3 AM in Amsterdam. Ah, good times.
9) 8/22/08 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – Troutdale, OR – Edgefield (30th show)
Looking Back on Earth > Evasive Maneuvers > Kamuy, Tooth, Economic Hitman, Dem Be, Aimlessly > Nautilus > Aimlessly, Tap-In, Beyond Right Now, Oh Little Brain, Equinox, What Is Love?, Peaceblaster '68 > Peaceblaster '08
Zinn Doctrine
E: Hi-Key, Hidden Hand Hidden Fist
This was my first time at the Edgefield, so I was impressed at the layout and picturesque beauty of the venue, but also disappointed at the plethora of rules they have up there (like no tailgating and a ridiculously early curfew). Anyway, the opening trio of “Looking Back on Earth > Evasive Maneuvers > Kamuy” got things rolling in a hurry. “EHM” brought the house down with an extended jam section and the rarity that is “Dem Be” was nice to hear. By the time “Aimlessly > Nautilus > Aimlessly” dropped the sun was gone and Saxton’s lights had taken over. The next highlight of the evening was back-to-back rarities “Equinox” and Deee-Lite’s “What is Love?” If that wasn’t enough the “Peaceblaster” combo that closed things out was just superb.
8) 4/17/08 – Lotus – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom (10th show)
I: Lucid Awakening, Mikesnack, Expired Slang, 72 Hours Awake, Jump Off > Legend of Zelda Theme > Jump Off
II: Tip of the Tongue, Scrapple, Spiritualize, It’s All Clear to Me Now > Simmer and Out > Flower Sermon > Shimmer and Out
E: Bellwether
I went to this show by myself, on a Thursday, after work and drove home immediately afterwards. If that’s not dedication I don’t know what is. This was also my first time at the Wonder Ballroom, and let me tell you that place has some serious potential. As for the first set the “Lucid Awakening” opener was perfect, as was the closing “Jump > Zelda > Off”, but in between that there wasn’t much to write home about.
The second set is what made this show starting with “Scrapple”, which was a debut to my ears. From there it was a non-stop dance party that had me boogying my arse off. The second set after “Tip” is what you want Lotus to be; a no let up, in your face, disco dance party. The encore of “Bellwether” did not disappoint either, as Luke Miller (guitar/keys) commented on how much they liked the venue before they dropped the nastiness of “Bellwether.”
7) 7/4/08 – Yonder Mountain String Band – Rothbury, MI – The Ranch Arena (4th show)
Casualty, Rain Still Falls, Don't You Lean on Me, Hit Parade of Love, Robots* > Fingerprint*, Up on the Hill Where They Do the Boogie*, Catch a Criminal*, Fine Excuses*, 2 Hits and the Joint Turned Brown*, New Deal Train*, Steep Grade Sharp Curves*, Kentucky Mandolin*, If There's Still Ramblin' in the Rambler (let him go)* > Angel* > Follow Me Down to the Riverside* > Angel* > If There's Still Ramblin' in the Rambler (let him go)*
E: East Nashville Easter*
* with Jon Fishman on drums
The first four songs were all about each member getting a turn to sing. So when Fish stepped out and mandolin player Jeff Austin said “Let’s turn ourselves into a little rock band shall we” things went crazy. I mean they really were rocking it out like I’ve never heard them do before. As an example guitarist Adam Aijala was using distortion, lots of it, and I loved it!
“Robots” set the tone and the show took off from there flowing oh so nicely into “Fingerprint.” “Boogie” always brings up memories of Leftover Salmon for me, so I was getting down with a vengeance by then. “Catch a Criminal” is a newer original from bassist Ben Kaufmann, and a tune I enjoy quite a bit.
“2 Hits” was entertaining as always, but it was Austin’s experiment about mid-way through that really took the cake (I’m not talking, click on the link above). “New Deal Train” was via the request line per Kaufmann and “Steep Grade Sharpe Curves” might be my favorite Yonder song of them all. “Kentucky Mandolin” with Fishman was fierce and had the peeps creating a massive cloud of dust near the stage. Teri and I left during “Rambler” to go back to the cabin and recharge for the night, but I kind of wish we had stayed to the end.
6) 7/3/08 – the Disco Biscuits – Rothbury, MI – The Ranch Arena (16th show)
World is Spinning, I-Man > Digital Buddha > Run Like Hell* > Digital Buddha*, Home Again, Shelby Rose > The City > Orch Theme > Shelby Rose, Wizards in Winter
E: Story of the World, Rockafella > Run Like Hell
* with David Murphy on laptop
We arrived during “I-Man” and I immediately dropped my pack and got busy grooving. I love “Digital Buddha” and Marc Brownstein was dropping the bass bombs just as I like them. When “Buddha” led into Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” I wasn’t too excited, but when Murph appeared mid-way through “RLH” that changed in a hurry. People love to kill STS9 over their use of laptops, but let me tell you, when Murph popped onto that stage the jamming went to another level entirely. “RLH > Buddha” was pure Bisco madness plain and simple. At this point we noticed that Johnny R. Goode (Biscuit lighting director) was using the trees lining the stage as a backdrop for his paisley light swirls. Kick ass!!!
When “Home Again” is your breather song you know you’re at a quality Bisco show. The “Shelby Rose > The City > Orch Theme > Shelby Rose” pretty much sapped any energy Teri and I had left, but we did make it though the closing “Wizards in Winter”. At this point it was 1:30 AM and Brownie came back on and said “Rothbury has given us more time.” Uh-oh, should we stay or should we go? Well Teri made the call to pack it in just as “Story of the World” was starting. It stinks getting old.
5) 7/3/08 – Lotus – Rothbury, MI – Tripolee Domes (11th show)
Spiritualize, Scrapple, Wax, Tip of the Tongue, Bellwether > Flower Sermon > Greet the Mind
Teri and I arrived at the Domes right on time and we settled into a nice spot in the back off center and were treated to a “Spiritualize” opener. Next came “Scrapple” which is short, but probably my favorite of their new tunes. The always welcome “Wax” was up next and totally delivered the goods. At this point the music and vibe were so hot I knew something special was happening. The only slower moment of the show came next with “Tip”, but even that provided some excitement, albeit not the good kind. Some jackass decided it would be a good idea to climb up one of the domes. Luckily no one was hurt.
The closing trio of “Bellwether > Flower Sermon > Greet the Mind” was Lotus in full bloom. They kept the people grooving though flawless segues and I’m sure many wished they had more time to play. This show reminded me of when I saw Lotus on 12/30/06 opening for The String Cheese Incident in San Francisco. That night featured a smallish crowd that kept growing and growing with the energy increasing at the same exponential rate. The Miller brothers (Luke & Jesse) must have agreed because they both sited this set as their favorite performance of the year.
4) 3/16/08 – Umphrey’s McGee – Amsterdam, NL – The Max, Melkweg (11th show)
#5, Much Obliged > Andy's Last Beer, Alex's House > JaJunk, Search 4, Pay the Snucka, Blue Echo, Roulette > Pay the Snucka
E: Hajimemashite, Waiting Room
This was the biggest dance party of a show that I’ve ever heard da Umph pull off. They were building every jam and segue up glacially and then dropping into almost electronic beats. The actual song structures seemed to be secondary to getting people moving. When we bumped into guitarist Brendan Bayliss the next day (St. Patties) at a bar off Spui he actually commented how the band was trying to wear Teri out (she had pink rabbit ears on her head, and was getting down like crazy). He even mimicked her dance moves….which is something I’ll never forget.
Anyhow, “#5” started the pattern I mentioned above for the night in motion. The jam out of “Much Obliged” continued it as did the extended intro to “Andy’s Last Beer” (love that tune). “Alex’s House” started out as a change of pace tune but quickly morphed into the same slowed down build up to a dance party routine.
But really the segue into “JaJunk” took the cake for me. It was almost painful how they kept teasing the big payoff guitar lick. Then right after the first composed section they dropped right into another dance party, which was the fiercest I had ever heard from Umphrey’s. I mean they even threw in a tease of theNEWDEAL’s “Home” for cripes sake! It might have been the best 20 minutes of Jam in the Dam for me.
“Search 4” was a new tune for me, but after the first verse of “Pay the Snucka” we were back into semi-jamtronica territory again. From there the show kinda finished like a regular Umphrey’s show, but what was different for me was that I noticed drummer Kris Myers over everyone else in the band. I left after the “Snucka” reprise because Lotus was calling me.
3) 3/17/08 – Lotus – Amsterdam, NL – The Old Hall, Melkweg (8th show)
Nematode, Mikesnack, Expired Slang, It’s All Clear to Me Now > Marisol, Spiritualize, Age of Inexperience, Block Rockin’ Beats, Jump Off
The Old Hall was packed to the gills for this performance and the boys didn’t disappoint. It was a straight up insane asylum in there too, with all manner of debauchery going down in plain sight. It made it so you could almost dance and watch the crowd and be just as entertained as if you were watching the stage.
“Nematode, Mikesnack” was a one-two punch to the gut of fast and then slow to start things off. The madness of “All Clear” led into the sublime “Marisol.” But I think it was “Spiritualize” that really set the place ablaze. People were out of their skulls they were dancing with such reckless abandon. “Block Rockin’ Beats, Jump Off” closed things down right. We, and many others, were exhausted after this near two hour danceathon.
This is easily the one show of 2008 that I’d most like to hear again. I know there was at least one taper there too. Not to mention that Lotus could release it via their live download portal too. Oh well.
2) 2/9/08 – Umphrey’s McGee – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater (10th show)
I: Nothing Too Fancy > Roulette, Much Obliged > Eat > 2x2 > Eat, Syncopated Strangers
II: Plunger, Kula > August > End of the Road > August, Wappy Sprayberry > Resolution > Nothing Too Fancy
E: London Calling*, Wizard Burial Ground
* 1st time played
All of our friends from Eugene skipped this show to see Porter Batiste Stoltz at the WOW Hall on the same night. MASSIVE mistake on their parts. I mean “NTF” opener? C’mon now! This let us know they meant business right from the jump, but the drop into “Roulette” was awesome too. Just crispy clean it was. Then you throw “2x2” and a 20 minute “Syncopated Strangers” into the mix and it was like they set out to play all of my favorite songs.
The second set just continued the all out rockin’ onslaught. “Plunger” was great as was “August > End of the Road > August.” But “Wappy Sprayberry > Resolution > Nothing Too Fancy” took the cake. It was my first time hearing “Wappy” and man-o-man was it ever fun to dance to. All the changes and the different sections to the song just worked. The whole Roseland was getting down and the best thing was that everyone had plenty of space to groove. “Resolution” finished the run of my favorite songs and the “NTF” reprise was the perfect capper to the night. Or so we thought…
I could take or leave The Clash’s “London Calling”, but “WBG” really was the best way to close the night. The speed metal jam vehicle left everyone smiling as they stumbled out into the Portland night. I’d have to say this was the best Umphrey’s show I’ve ever seen. It was just pure Umph rock all the way through with no let up.
1) 7/5/08 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – Rothbury, MI – The Ranch Arena (29th show)
I: Peaceblaster '68* > Peaceblaster '08*, Lo Swaga, Economic Hitman, Tooth, Aimlessly, Oh Little Brain*, 118, Arigato, Abcees > Evasive Maneuvers, Open E, Beyond Right Now*, Shock Doctrine*
Zinn Doctrine*
II: The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature, Move My Peeps, The Rabble, Breathe In, Rent, Monkey Music, Hidden Hand Hidden Fist*, One a Day, Inspire Strikes Back, The New Soma*
* 1st time played
Upon arrival I was surprised at the size of the crowd and the boys did not disappoint either, delivering a performance that will undoubtedly go down in their annals as historic. You have to give them credit for opening with a debut when the crowd was literally teeming with anticipation. “Peaceblaster” had what it took though, especially the ’08 part, so much so that I was compelled to whisper in Teri’s ear that “I don’t know what this is, but I like it.”
After that came “Lo Swaga” which featured a reworked intro and a slightly different beat to my ears. “EHM” was next and was the one new tune that I was really hoping to hear. “Tooth” is a down song for me, but it gave me time to check out the massive lighting rig that Saxton was putting to the best use I saw all weekend. But that’s not all; STS9 also had some LED lights on stage that stretched from behind keyboardist David Phipps to the back of percussionist Jeffree Lerner. These vertical strips of light were all of varying heights, could go in waves, all at once and be any color.
“Aimlessly” came next and brought the house down. If STS9 has a bona fide crowd pleaser this might be it. “Brain” was another debut and “118” seemed re-worked somewhat to me as well. “Arigato” is always welcome but it was the “Abcees > Evasive” that came next which really took the dance party to another level. This is a great pairing of songs and I’m glad the boys discovered it. As always “Open E” was perfect for a bathroom break and I was back in time to see the closing debut duo of “Beyond Right Now, Shock Doctrine.” This is what makes STS9 great; even though nobody knew these songs (changes, climaxes, etc.) people were still going crazy. That’s a credit to how good the tunes are as well as how skillfully they were played.
Coming back with “TUSON” to open the second set was a great way to reignite the party. “Move My Peeps” settled into a nice groove next and had me boogying my hind end off. “Breathe In” was the next high point for me and saw me moving to the back of the VIP area to get as much space as possible for my twirling. “Monkey Music” was probably the one treat for setlist geeks like myself, and I totally enjoyed it (from the back of VIP again). We left for the shuttle during “Hidden Hand Hidden Fist” and heard “One a Day” start before we got on the bus. It was just after three when we left and the show ended around 3:30 AM, so we didn’t miss much.
Honorable Mention
7/5/08 – Soul Stew Revival – Rothbury, MI – Sherwood Court (1st show)
Don’t Do It, Sugar, Stand Back, Pack Up Our Things, Don’t Cry No More*, Get Out of My Life Woman, People, Hey Jude, I Want to Be Loved, Hercules, Key to the Highway, Anyday
* with Col. Bruce Hampton on vocals
This show gets a special mention for the sheer amount of times I’ve listened to the CD after the fact. I really didn’t realize how good it was at the time and I recommend that everyone give it at least one chance.
Total Shows – 21 (including 2 double bills)
Festivals – Jam in the Dam (12 sets), Broadway Bloc Party (3 sets) & Rothbury (23 sets)
Individual Breakdown
Lotus – 6
Sound Tribe Sector 9 – 6
Umphrey’s McGee – 5
the Disco Biscuits – 4
The Bridge – 2
Medeski Martin & Wood – 2
New Monsoon – 2
Perpetual Groove – 2
Tea Leaf Green – 2
Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll & Sipe – 2
Studio Albums
5) Al & The Transamericans – “This Day & Age”
Chances are if you listen to Sirius 17 Jam_ON you’ve heard the song “Light of the Moon” off this album at least once. While “Moon” is certainly the best track, the rest of this second offering from moe. guitarist Al Schnier’s alt country side project is not to be missed. The album was released late in the year with little fanfare and only 1000 copies were made, so I think it flew largely under the radar. But from the opening “Somewhere in Kansas” to the closing “Promised Land” every track is solid if not very good. Schnier (guitar & mandolin) and Gordon Stone (banjo & pedal steel) share a nice chemistry that carries this twangy rock masterpiece.
4) Sound Tribe Sector 9 – “Peaceblaster”
The fourth full length studio release from the Bay Area jamtronica quintet was their most mature to date. The boys mostly stayed away from studio tricks that they can’t recreate in a live setting, focusing instead on stuff that translates to shows. The opening four tracks of “Peaceblaster ’68 > Peaceblaster ’08, Metameme, Shock Doctrine” starts things off with a bang. The album kind of drags in the middle but closes with some solid tunes like “Hidden Hand, Hidden Fist”, “The New Soma” and “Oh Little Brain.” I really liked the final track “Squishface”, bad sadly it never made it to the stage.
3) Drew Emmitt – “Long Road”
There isn’t a bad song on Drew Emmitt’s third solo album since the end of Leftover Salmon. You’ve got rollicking new originals (“Gold Hill Line”, “Get ‘er Rollin’” & “Long Road”), a few ballads (“Into the Distance”, “Beat of the World” & “I’m Alive”), a new instrumental (“Cloud City”), a previously unreleased LoS staple (“River’s Risin’”) and covers of Supertramp (“Take the Long Way Home”), Marshall Tucker Band (“Take the Highway”) and Van Morrison (“Gypsy in My Soul”). Not to mention a list of guest musicians that includes Jeff Sipe, John Cowan, Ronnie McCoury and Billy Nershi. I’m not sure if this was meant to be a concept album or not, but the theme of travel runs throughout as well.
2) Stanton Moore Trio – “Emphasis! (On Parenthesis)”
Stanton’s trio consists of him on drums, Will Bernard on guitar and Robert Walter on keys. They play a mixture of straight ahead jazz-funk and power rock. It’s the kind of music you’d love to hear at some packed late night venue in New Orleans. From the opening number “(Late Night at the) Maple Leaf” you know what you are in for. That said things can get a little heavy and out there too with tunes like “(Proper) Gander”, “Wissions (of Vu)”, “(I Have) Super Strength”, and “(Who Ate the) Layer Cake.” But mostly this album brings the fun on tracks like “(Sifting Through the) African Diaspora”, “Thanks! (Again)” and “(Here Come) the Brown Police.” If your party ever needs a pick me up, look no further.
1) Mike Gordon – “The Green Sparrow”
Mike’s first album with his new solo band (which he plans to keep together BTW) is so good it’s almost surprising. Yes it has some of the usual Gordon quirk that we all know and love (“Voices”, Pretend”, “Radar Blip”, “Morphing Again” & “Sound”), but it’s the overall swing and groove of the album that will catch your ear. The opening bass drop of “Another Door” is so infectious that it begs you to listen to the whole album from start to finish. “Door”, “Dig Further Down”, “Traveled Too Far”, “Andelman’s Yard”, and “Jaded” are all so good it’s hard to pick a favorite from the bunch. One can only hope that a few tunes from this album make it into Phish 3.0’s repertoire. Anyway, I dare anyone that listens to this album three times not to like it. It’s just not possible.
Official Live Releases
5) Toubab Krewe – “Live at the Orange Peel” – CD compilation of 12/30-31/07
Another late in the year release showcases how the youngsters from Asheville, NC have grown from buzz band to a force to be reckoned with. No one can deny that they have created their own sound (much like STS9), but their overall strength and sharpness is on full display here. The opening duo of “Autorail, Lamine’s Tune” takes you on a journey from floating melodies to groovy darkness. As much as “51 ft Ladder” (another Jam_ON staple) showcases their maturation, “Maliba” takes you back to their roots as an African fusion band. My only complaint with this disc is that the spoken word sections featuring Umar Bin Hassan slows the momentum down.
4) Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll & Sipe – “Live” – 2 CD’s & DVD compilation of winter tour 2007-2008
This release is a must have for any Keller fan, and I’d argue any fan of the Dead as well. The reason I say that is, whether it’s intended or not, Gibb Droll’s guitar tone is uncannily reminiscent of Jerry Garcia’s to my ear. The music is different than the Dead’s of course, but when the WMD’S get way out there and start jamming, the way Droll sprinkles in his licks over the top is very Jerry-esque. Even if you hate K-Dub, you should check these discs out. The reason being is that all the songs take on a new life with Droll, Keith Moseley (bass) and Jeff Sipe (drums). They don’t sound like a new band either. They are tight and focused and jam with a purpose. The DVD production is a little cheap visually, but the music is as crisp as ever. I’ll be the first to admit that I was pleasantly surprised with this release, and I’m willing to bet that you will be too.
3) Grateful Dead – “Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978” – 3 CD’s & DVD compilation of 9/15-16/78
The much celebrated Dead shows at the base of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx were finally released 30 years later. These shows (9/14 was lost) are legend amongst heads for the both the setting of the shows and how average the band played. Well since I’m no expert on the Dead, I thought they sounded pretty good. My favorite disc is probably the bonus CD (great “Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World”), but the other discs aren’t bad by any means. (Disc 2 features the second live version ever of “Shakedown Street.”) The DVD quality is a little grainy, and doesn’t feature any songs not already on the CD’s, but for those looking to experience the Dead in Egypt, it will do just fine.
2) moe. – “Dr. Stan’s Prescription Volume 1” – 3 CD’s of complete 3/8/04 and 3/17/95
All I can say about the first release in moe.’s new archival series is “Thank you Dr. Stan!” Culled from the second show of the debut moe.cruise, the boys were obviously fired up. Opening with “Bring it Back Home” got the party started right. The next highlight of disc 1 is “Hi & Low > Bring You Down” followed by the set closing “Brent Black.” The second set is really where it’s at though with “Recreational Chemistry > Turn on Your Lovelight > Recreational Chemistry > Lost Pirate Jam > Captain America” starting things off. Pure unadulterated moe. The encore of The Band’s “The Weight” caps off an epic show in style.
What really makes this release though is the filler. 3/17/95 finds the boys opening for Leftover Salmon, in Vail, at what sounds like a local bar, on St. Patrick’s Day. The shows starts with “Dr. Graffenberg > Hava Negilah” and features a plethora of would be future moe. staples played bare bones style (no extended jamming) for a crowd that was obviously hearing them for the first time. The closing duo of “Armageddon Jig, Farmer Ben” showcases moe.’s peculiar sense of humor.
1) Phish – “At the Roxy” – 9 CD’s of complete 2/19-21/93 and 3/28/92
The story of this release has to start with the bonus CD of 3/28/92. While the show itself is nothing special, it’s notable because Phish had to stop playing after their first set due to a small flood in the theater. So after they sang four barbershop quartet tunes a cappella (the entire second set) they promised to make it up to the peeps next time they were in Atlanta. And make it up did they ever!
The following eight discs showcase the band at the height of their theater powers before they blew up into the arena phenomenon they now are. As any phan would tell you, the second set of 2/20/93 is a legendary segue-fest (a must hear if you haven’t already). But the first set of 2/20 isn’t too shabby either.
Speaking of not too shabby, 2/19 was drummer Jon Fishman’s 28th birthday and finds the band in a very loose and playful mood (Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick” anyone?). Jimmy Herring (then of Aquarium Rescue Unit) sits in on guitar for “Funky Bitch, My Sweet One, Love You & Llama.”
2/21 is only 2 discs (the other nights are 3) but brings the heat just the same. The highlight of 2/21 has to be the bluegrass encore featuring the Reverend Jeff Mosier on banjo. “Good Times Bad Times > Paul and Silas > Pig in a Pen” says it all. If I know you, and you like Phish, you better already own this.
Worst Show
3/16/08 – Perpetual Groove – Amsterdam, NL – The Old Hall, Melkweg (2nd show)
Robot Waltz, Crapshoot, Crockett & Tubbs, Save For One, Out Here, Mr. Transistor > (I'd Go The) Whole Wide World* > Mr. Transistor
* 1st time played
You’d think it impossible to almost fall asleep during your first show of your second Jam in the Dam. But that was almost the case here. Teri and I had to leave the room before we became one with the wood bench we were sitting on. PGroove’s droning sound and endless guitar wah-wah’ing was not what we were looking for...AT ALL! So much so that my worst show was a no brainer this year.
Top 10
10) 3/16/08 – Lotus – Amsterdam, NL – The Old Hall, Melkweg (7th show)
Bubonic Tonic, Wooly Mammoth, Flower Sermon, Kesey Seed, Wax, Plant Your Root > Greet the Mind, Bellwether, Shimmer and Out
Lotus was by far the most consistently good band I saw at Jam in the Dam ’08. Each of their shows was in the smaller room and had energy so thick you could reach out and touch it. Since these shows weren’t taped or released by anyone, it’s hard for me to remember specifics, but I think I walked in around the end of “Flower Sermon” or beginning of “Kesey Seed.” From there it was a straight up dance party that went to 3 AM in Amsterdam. Ah, good times.
9) 8/22/08 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – Troutdale, OR – Edgefield (30th show)
Looking Back on Earth > Evasive Maneuvers > Kamuy, Tooth, Economic Hitman, Dem Be, Aimlessly > Nautilus > Aimlessly, Tap-In, Beyond Right Now, Oh Little Brain, Equinox, What Is Love?, Peaceblaster '68 > Peaceblaster '08
Zinn Doctrine
E: Hi-Key, Hidden Hand Hidden Fist
This was my first time at the Edgefield, so I was impressed at the layout and picturesque beauty of the venue, but also disappointed at the plethora of rules they have up there (like no tailgating and a ridiculously early curfew). Anyway, the opening trio of “Looking Back on Earth > Evasive Maneuvers > Kamuy” got things rolling in a hurry. “EHM” brought the house down with an extended jam section and the rarity that is “Dem Be” was nice to hear. By the time “Aimlessly > Nautilus > Aimlessly” dropped the sun was gone and Saxton’s lights had taken over. The next highlight of the evening was back-to-back rarities “Equinox” and Deee-Lite’s “What is Love?” If that wasn’t enough the “Peaceblaster” combo that closed things out was just superb.
8) 4/17/08 – Lotus – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom (10th show)
I: Lucid Awakening, Mikesnack, Expired Slang, 72 Hours Awake, Jump Off > Legend of Zelda Theme > Jump Off
II: Tip of the Tongue, Scrapple, Spiritualize, It’s All Clear to Me Now > Simmer and Out > Flower Sermon > Shimmer and Out
E: Bellwether
I went to this show by myself, on a Thursday, after work and drove home immediately afterwards. If that’s not dedication I don’t know what is. This was also my first time at the Wonder Ballroom, and let me tell you that place has some serious potential. As for the first set the “Lucid Awakening” opener was perfect, as was the closing “Jump > Zelda > Off”, but in between that there wasn’t much to write home about.
The second set is what made this show starting with “Scrapple”, which was a debut to my ears. From there it was a non-stop dance party that had me boogying my arse off. The second set after “Tip” is what you want Lotus to be; a no let up, in your face, disco dance party. The encore of “Bellwether” did not disappoint either, as Luke Miller (guitar/keys) commented on how much they liked the venue before they dropped the nastiness of “Bellwether.”
7) 7/4/08 – Yonder Mountain String Band – Rothbury, MI – The Ranch Arena (4th show)
Casualty, Rain Still Falls, Don't You Lean on Me, Hit Parade of Love, Robots* > Fingerprint*, Up on the Hill Where They Do the Boogie*, Catch a Criminal*, Fine Excuses*, 2 Hits and the Joint Turned Brown*, New Deal Train*, Steep Grade Sharp Curves*, Kentucky Mandolin*, If There's Still Ramblin' in the Rambler (let him go)* > Angel* > Follow Me Down to the Riverside* > Angel* > If There's Still Ramblin' in the Rambler (let him go)*
E: East Nashville Easter*
* with Jon Fishman on drums
The first four songs were all about each member getting a turn to sing. So when Fish stepped out and mandolin player Jeff Austin said “Let’s turn ourselves into a little rock band shall we” things went crazy. I mean they really were rocking it out like I’ve never heard them do before. As an example guitarist Adam Aijala was using distortion, lots of it, and I loved it!
“Robots” set the tone and the show took off from there flowing oh so nicely into “Fingerprint.” “Boogie” always brings up memories of Leftover Salmon for me, so I was getting down with a vengeance by then. “Catch a Criminal” is a newer original from bassist Ben Kaufmann, and a tune I enjoy quite a bit.
“2 Hits” was entertaining as always, but it was Austin’s experiment about mid-way through that really took the cake (I’m not talking, click on the link above). “New Deal Train” was via the request line per Kaufmann and “Steep Grade Sharpe Curves” might be my favorite Yonder song of them all. “Kentucky Mandolin” with Fishman was fierce and had the peeps creating a massive cloud of dust near the stage. Teri and I left during “Rambler” to go back to the cabin and recharge for the night, but I kind of wish we had stayed to the end.
6) 7/3/08 – the Disco Biscuits – Rothbury, MI – The Ranch Arena (16th show)
World is Spinning, I-Man > Digital Buddha > Run Like Hell* > Digital Buddha*, Home Again, Shelby Rose > The City > Orch Theme > Shelby Rose, Wizards in Winter
E: Story of the World, Rockafella > Run Like Hell
* with David Murphy on laptop
We arrived during “I-Man” and I immediately dropped my pack and got busy grooving. I love “Digital Buddha” and Marc Brownstein was dropping the bass bombs just as I like them. When “Buddha” led into Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” I wasn’t too excited, but when Murph appeared mid-way through “RLH” that changed in a hurry. People love to kill STS9 over their use of laptops, but let me tell you, when Murph popped onto that stage the jamming went to another level entirely. “RLH > Buddha” was pure Bisco madness plain and simple. At this point we noticed that Johnny R. Goode (Biscuit lighting director) was using the trees lining the stage as a backdrop for his paisley light swirls. Kick ass!!!
When “Home Again” is your breather song you know you’re at a quality Bisco show. The “Shelby Rose > The City > Orch Theme > Shelby Rose” pretty much sapped any energy Teri and I had left, but we did make it though the closing “Wizards in Winter”. At this point it was 1:30 AM and Brownie came back on and said “Rothbury has given us more time.” Uh-oh, should we stay or should we go? Well Teri made the call to pack it in just as “Story of the World” was starting. It stinks getting old.
5) 7/3/08 – Lotus – Rothbury, MI – Tripolee Domes (11th show)
Spiritualize, Scrapple, Wax, Tip of the Tongue, Bellwether > Flower Sermon > Greet the Mind
Teri and I arrived at the Domes right on time and we settled into a nice spot in the back off center and were treated to a “Spiritualize” opener. Next came “Scrapple” which is short, but probably my favorite of their new tunes. The always welcome “Wax” was up next and totally delivered the goods. At this point the music and vibe were so hot I knew something special was happening. The only slower moment of the show came next with “Tip”, but even that provided some excitement, albeit not the good kind. Some jackass decided it would be a good idea to climb up one of the domes. Luckily no one was hurt.
The closing trio of “Bellwether > Flower Sermon > Greet the Mind” was Lotus in full bloom. They kept the people grooving though flawless segues and I’m sure many wished they had more time to play. This show reminded me of when I saw Lotus on 12/30/06 opening for The String Cheese Incident in San Francisco. That night featured a smallish crowd that kept growing and growing with the energy increasing at the same exponential rate. The Miller brothers (Luke & Jesse) must have agreed because they both sited this set as their favorite performance of the year.
4) 3/16/08 – Umphrey’s McGee – Amsterdam, NL – The Max, Melkweg (11th show)
#5, Much Obliged > Andy's Last Beer, Alex's House > JaJunk, Search 4, Pay the Snucka, Blue Echo, Roulette > Pay the Snucka
E: Hajimemashite, Waiting Room
This was the biggest dance party of a show that I’ve ever heard da Umph pull off. They were building every jam and segue up glacially and then dropping into almost electronic beats. The actual song structures seemed to be secondary to getting people moving. When we bumped into guitarist Brendan Bayliss the next day (St. Patties) at a bar off Spui he actually commented how the band was trying to wear Teri out (she had pink rabbit ears on her head, and was getting down like crazy). He even mimicked her dance moves….which is something I’ll never forget.
Anyhow, “#5” started the pattern I mentioned above for the night in motion. The jam out of “Much Obliged” continued it as did the extended intro to “Andy’s Last Beer” (love that tune). “Alex’s House” started out as a change of pace tune but quickly morphed into the same slowed down build up to a dance party routine.
But really the segue into “JaJunk” took the cake for me. It was almost painful how they kept teasing the big payoff guitar lick. Then right after the first composed section they dropped right into another dance party, which was the fiercest I had ever heard from Umphrey’s. I mean they even threw in a tease of theNEWDEAL’s “Home” for cripes sake! It might have been the best 20 minutes of Jam in the Dam for me.
“Search 4” was a new tune for me, but after the first verse of “Pay the Snucka” we were back into semi-jamtronica territory again. From there the show kinda finished like a regular Umphrey’s show, but what was different for me was that I noticed drummer Kris Myers over everyone else in the band. I left after the “Snucka” reprise because Lotus was calling me.
3) 3/17/08 – Lotus – Amsterdam, NL – The Old Hall, Melkweg (8th show)
Nematode, Mikesnack, Expired Slang, It’s All Clear to Me Now > Marisol, Spiritualize, Age of Inexperience, Block Rockin’ Beats, Jump Off
The Old Hall was packed to the gills for this performance and the boys didn’t disappoint. It was a straight up insane asylum in there too, with all manner of debauchery going down in plain sight. It made it so you could almost dance and watch the crowd and be just as entertained as if you were watching the stage.
“Nematode, Mikesnack” was a one-two punch to the gut of fast and then slow to start things off. The madness of “All Clear” led into the sublime “Marisol.” But I think it was “Spiritualize” that really set the place ablaze. People were out of their skulls they were dancing with such reckless abandon. “Block Rockin’ Beats, Jump Off” closed things down right. We, and many others, were exhausted after this near two hour danceathon.
This is easily the one show of 2008 that I’d most like to hear again. I know there was at least one taper there too. Not to mention that Lotus could release it via their live download portal too. Oh well.
2) 2/9/08 – Umphrey’s McGee – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater (10th show)
I: Nothing Too Fancy > Roulette, Much Obliged > Eat > 2x2 > Eat, Syncopated Strangers
II: Plunger, Kula > August > End of the Road > August, Wappy Sprayberry > Resolution > Nothing Too Fancy
E: London Calling*, Wizard Burial Ground
* 1st time played
All of our friends from Eugene skipped this show to see Porter Batiste Stoltz at the WOW Hall on the same night. MASSIVE mistake on their parts. I mean “NTF” opener? C’mon now! This let us know they meant business right from the jump, but the drop into “Roulette” was awesome too. Just crispy clean it was. Then you throw “2x2” and a 20 minute “Syncopated Strangers” into the mix and it was like they set out to play all of my favorite songs.
The second set just continued the all out rockin’ onslaught. “Plunger” was great as was “August > End of the Road > August.” But “Wappy Sprayberry > Resolution > Nothing Too Fancy” took the cake. It was my first time hearing “Wappy” and man-o-man was it ever fun to dance to. All the changes and the different sections to the song just worked. The whole Roseland was getting down and the best thing was that everyone had plenty of space to groove. “Resolution” finished the run of my favorite songs and the “NTF” reprise was the perfect capper to the night. Or so we thought…
I could take or leave The Clash’s “London Calling”, but “WBG” really was the best way to close the night. The speed metal jam vehicle left everyone smiling as they stumbled out into the Portland night. I’d have to say this was the best Umphrey’s show I’ve ever seen. It was just pure Umph rock all the way through with no let up.
1) 7/5/08 – Sound Tribe Sector 9 – Rothbury, MI – The Ranch Arena (29th show)
I: Peaceblaster '68* > Peaceblaster '08*, Lo Swaga, Economic Hitman, Tooth, Aimlessly, Oh Little Brain*, 118, Arigato, Abcees > Evasive Maneuvers, Open E, Beyond Right Now*, Shock Doctrine*
Zinn Doctrine*
II: The Unquestionable Supremacy of Nature, Move My Peeps, The Rabble, Breathe In, Rent, Monkey Music, Hidden Hand Hidden Fist*, One a Day, Inspire Strikes Back, The New Soma*
* 1st time played
Upon arrival I was surprised at the size of the crowd and the boys did not disappoint either, delivering a performance that will undoubtedly go down in their annals as historic. You have to give them credit for opening with a debut when the crowd was literally teeming with anticipation. “Peaceblaster” had what it took though, especially the ’08 part, so much so that I was compelled to whisper in Teri’s ear that “I don’t know what this is, but I like it.”
After that came “Lo Swaga” which featured a reworked intro and a slightly different beat to my ears. “EHM” was next and was the one new tune that I was really hoping to hear. “Tooth” is a down song for me, but it gave me time to check out the massive lighting rig that Saxton was putting to the best use I saw all weekend. But that’s not all; STS9 also had some LED lights on stage that stretched from behind keyboardist David Phipps to the back of percussionist Jeffree Lerner. These vertical strips of light were all of varying heights, could go in waves, all at once and be any color.
“Aimlessly” came next and brought the house down. If STS9 has a bona fide crowd pleaser this might be it. “Brain” was another debut and “118” seemed re-worked somewhat to me as well. “Arigato” is always welcome but it was the “Abcees > Evasive” that came next which really took the dance party to another level. This is a great pairing of songs and I’m glad the boys discovered it. As always “Open E” was perfect for a bathroom break and I was back in time to see the closing debut duo of “Beyond Right Now, Shock Doctrine.” This is what makes STS9 great; even though nobody knew these songs (changes, climaxes, etc.) people were still going crazy. That’s a credit to how good the tunes are as well as how skillfully they were played.
Coming back with “TUSON” to open the second set was a great way to reignite the party. “Move My Peeps” settled into a nice groove next and had me boogying my hind end off. “Breathe In” was the next high point for me and saw me moving to the back of the VIP area to get as much space as possible for my twirling. “Monkey Music” was probably the one treat for setlist geeks like myself, and I totally enjoyed it (from the back of VIP again). We left for the shuttle during “Hidden Hand Hidden Fist” and heard “One a Day” start before we got on the bus. It was just after three when we left and the show ended around 3:30 AM, so we didn’t miss much.
Honorable Mention
7/5/08 – Soul Stew Revival – Rothbury, MI – Sherwood Court (1st show)
Don’t Do It, Sugar, Stand Back, Pack Up Our Things, Don’t Cry No More*, Get Out of My Life Woman, People, Hey Jude, I Want to Be Loved, Hercules, Key to the Highway, Anyday
* with Col. Bruce Hampton on vocals
This show gets a special mention for the sheer amount of times I’ve listened to the CD after the fact. I really didn’t realize how good it was at the time and I recommend that everyone give it at least one chance.
posted by D$ at 1:31 PM
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