Now the Black Crowes

THE BLACK CROWES 7/18/2006

Now I have waited two days to process the show. First check out the set list. I think I made myself clear that I really like the Crowes music. The show at the Mohegan Sun was just not that good. For these reasons. First the sound was at best tolerable. The lyrics were difficult to hear over the guitars. Really this is the only show I have ever been to that I wish I had ear plugs. This is really not the bands fault the venue may just not be the best for their sound. And finally I was left with a sour taste after the show due to Chris' comments directed to some jack ass who threw something on stage at the end. Chris comments were, "Which ever one of you assholes just threw something at us, I'll meet you back stage to kick your ass". He went on to say something about the rest of the crowd should have a peaceful night. Well I am sorry Chris your words are not consistent. Peace or violence? One or the other. You really don't impress your fans nor make yourself look cool reacting like that. I really wish he would have just laughed it off.
That said, I think a bad Crowes show is better than sitting at home jamming them on my ipod. We danced and had fun anyway. I noticed the jams were really draw out. My friend commented that he thought most people want to hear the hits not hippy jams. Well I think the jams are what the Crowes are live but my trouble is with thier song selection. I have heard them jam so many songs I didn't hear the best this night.

Sorry for not getting a good picture of Marc Ford. He was tearing it up that night. My camera wasn't cooperating.

This guy was freaking me out. Not sure what this was about but I had to take a picture.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band!!!

Robert Randolph and the Family Band 7/18/2006

Wow! Not much to say. This band is truly a joy to watch. I think what is most appealing is that Robert Randolph seems to be having the time of his life playing. This was my first live experience of RRFB and it was so much fun. Unfortunately, we did not get to dance because our seats were next to these biker types that made the vibe unwelcoming. The biker lady also took time to question my girlfriend during the Jimi Hendrix cover they played. The lady asked, "Do you know who is Jimmi Hendrix is?" Like we are five years old or something. Then she went on to talk about seeing him trippin on paper back in the day. Well this lady was not really fun to sit next to. She was also a screamer. You know the type that needs to yell "Whooo" during and after every song. We moved away from her and the a biker crew after RRFB.


Despite the nuisance next to us the show was killer. The bassist was surely sick with the spirit because he was freaking out. I have never seen hands move so fast and make sounds in the same motions. Simply jaw dropping. I really like how this band plays progressive jams. Jams that lead you up to something and back down again, like a trek up a mountain. These guys just simply know how to utilize music as a spiritual healing tool. I really think they have tapped into something great. They still have me singing "Jesus is just alright with me". Finally the coolest thing is they can play songs that we all know but minus the lyrics because Robert Randoplh speaks and sings with his sacred pedal steel. Robert Randolph has really opened my ears to the sacred sounds of the pedal steel guitar. Check out these other pedal steel guitarists. Who is your favorite? Jerry was pretty good especially with the New Riders of the Purple Sage.

Drive By Truckers Recap

Drive By Truckers 7/18/2006

These guys and girl were fun to watch. Three guitarists and a chick bassist! I like the song the Swamp and Aftermath USA. Overall pretty cool band. They really rocked and the sound was alright. I would see them again. Being at an inside venue really stifled the sound, I bet these guys are cool to watch outdoors. They are comparable to My Morning Jacket in the sense that they bombard you with guitar riffs. Good show. Pictures will be posted soon.

Robert Randolph and the Family Band. What?!

I have a geriatric umpire friend from the Virgin Islands who always says "What?!" when he hears something unbelievable. Just knowing RRFB http://www.robertrandolph.netwill be tearing up some gospel jams from heaven makes me exclaim "What?!" Just like Ol' Pops says. I first learned of these guys from the Bonnaroo CD and DVD http://stores.musictoday.com/store/dept.asp?band_id=402&dept_id=1150&sfid=2. I highly recommend the DVD to witness RR a few times. The best is when he and DJ Logic chop up bluegrass with Del McCoury. I hope RRFB come full with the spirit, cus' I need me some good vibes.

Oh Yeah there are two more bands tonight! The Drive by Truckers.

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Set the Black Crowes controls straight for the Sun!

Holy Black Crowes crap it is hot. Close to 100 today in CT. Really hyped to see the Crowes tonight at the Mohegan Sun. We will be sure to post pictures of this one. I hope to hear Boomer's Story and Hotel Illness tonight and maybe Space Captain and possibly Brokedown Palace...sorry I am still at Bonnaroo 2005 (A Chrisim-"Remember psilocybin will make you dry") http://www.crowesbase.com/tapelisting.cfm?TapeID=1674 Man the Crowes have sustained a break up, drugs, and movie stars. I recall watching their video kick ass on MTV Countdown back in the 90's when Southern Harmony was out. Not many of my friends dug them but I sure did. My mom even got me the "Who Killed That Bird Out On Your Windowsil" video. Oh if she only knew what those guys were on http://blackcrowes.com/LostCrowes.htm Oh the memories of years gone by. The Crowes are truly my first favorite band and one of my favorites now.

And the Cheese

String Cheese IncidentThe Cheese and Bob Weir really smoked during the first set. We got to hear Panama Red, KC Moan, and Dim Lights Thick Smoke! Thanks Cheesedog! You can find a good write up on Jambands http://www.jambands.com/News.phtml?newsfile=redesign_news284.html#7-17-16

The String Cheese Incident is really a pleasure to watch perform. I was recently watching the show on Bob Dylan, No Direction Home, running on PBS http://www.pbs.org/went/americanmasters/dylan/index.html It was funny watching Dylan's personality shine while he and his band stood for music they believed in, which happen to be "electric/folk/rock" or whatever. Dylan used to perform an acoustic set with his classic and progressive songs that worked in such a setting. He then gave the crowd the pleasure of truly jamming, all plugged in and raw during the second set. During such sets people would actually boo and yell with disgust for their hero had deviated from "Folk Tradition". Well now such an act is the norm for bands like the SCI. In fact this set-up truly worked for us on a hot summer day in MA with the SCI, Ratdog, and Cheesedog! It started out cool and smooth and ended in pleasant frenzy of electric jams.

Ratdog and The String Cheese Incident Mansfield, MA 7/15/2006

Ratdog

Rotdog surely made my girlfriend and I happy dancers on Saturday night in Mansfield, MA the Tweeter Center or Greatwoods or somethings? Peace to J.B. for keeping the clouds near for the show.

The setlist was on fire. I am listening to it right now again. The torrent can be downloaded at http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=27185 Here is the setlist:
Jam
Big RailRoad Blues
All Along the Watchtower
Dark Star jam
Little Red Rooster
Golden Road (to unlimited devotion)
Dark Star (verse 1)
She Said
Foolish Heart

Set two
When I paint my Masterpiece
Corrina >Silvio > Tequilla > Silvio
West LA Fade Away
Aiko Aiko
Drums
Stuff
Come Together
Dark Star (verse 2)
Sugar Magolia
Ripple
One More Saturday Night



Wha 'cha contemplating ol'friend?

This was a truly memorable setlist. Aiko Aiko was so much fun and Ripple was simply magical. Bob Weir is a living legend. I am sorry Phil but I saw you and your frineds at Lupo's in the winter and nearly feel asleep. Bobby sure looks and sounds like he can carry the jam for many years to come. For more on the songs played check out http://arts.ucsc.edu/gdead/agdl/#songs

It was an honor to witness Bob Weir and Ratdog. I can honestly say I never saw Jerry in his blessed life but in the cloud of haze that gathered around "Cheesedog" during Ripple, I swore I saw his face appear with a gleam of approval, for the music has truly never stopped.

Gracias a Dios!

Strawberry Park 2006

This years lineup included: Rhonda Vincent (beautiful!), April Verch, Tim O'Brien (kicked grass! w Casey Driesen), The Green Cards, The Gibson Brothers, The Grascals, Peter Rowan (missed it), Mountain Heart, Blue Highway (wonderful show!) and many more! Above is the Bluegrass Gospel Project from Sunday morning they played a blessed show.

I recommend this festival to anyone interested in getting and dirty down in the bluegrass:
Strawberry Park http://www.strawberrypark.net/bluegrass.htm (860) 886-1944
PrestonUS

Nothin' Fancy at Starwaberry Park. This was a gathering of some of bluegrass finest. There is Folk Festival in September. We will be sure to be there to check out BGP again and to hear Slaid Cleaves. See ya back at Strawberry Park in September.