Umphrey's McGee has begun accepting votes for 2016 Hall of Fame release. All the 411, link & past albums.

Umphrey's McGee has begun accepting votes for 2016 Hall of Fame release. All the 411, link & past albums. 

 

Personally, I think last year's Hall of Fame was the improvisation set with Joshua on sax. But half the fun is voting and the hearing it assembled. 2016 was a strong year for U.M. ..........Same as it ever was

Kevin

The HOF is back and voting commences earlier than ever while 2016 still lingers in your minds. Remind me about the Hall of Fame album you say? It's an Umphrey's McGee "show" composed entirely of heavy hitters: a show culled from your favorite jams of 2016, seamlessly stitched together into a single, segue-laden record. We are once again asking you to weigh in on your favorite versions of your favorite songs, selecting from performances in 2016. Check out hof.umphreys.com for more details and previous HOF albums. In lieu of a winter tour poster subscription, we are offering select posters online (in addition to the merch table) throughout tour. This week we feature the work of Richmond artist Leslie Herman. 50 prints of the edition of 225 are available now at UM Merch. Stay tuned next week for the 2017 Winter Tour Poster online release.   Here are tour dates for the last touring Jamband

Umphrey's McGee will play an entire set of improvisational music with Joshua Redman

Umphrey's McGee added another show where they will play an entire set of improvisational music with Joshua Redman. 

 

        Umphrey's McGee will play on January 27th with saxophone prodigy Joshua Redman and will perform an entire set together without a net. The "From the hip" show will take place at the State Theatre in Portland, Me. Almost a year ago exactly to the upcoming date U.M. played an entire set without a setlist or anything planned out ahead of time, also with Joshua Redman to great ends. The show was a huge success and they repeated the no script formula for a quarter of UMBOWL 2016 and it was well received. We need more of true improvisation in music today. 

Kevin Long 

Thx 2 Live4livemusic

Here is a taste of the first  “From The Hip” set below, courtesy of TourGigs

Widespread Panic: NYE Nashville 2016 (More Of The Usual Shenanigans) A Review by Jamband Purist, Photos, Videos and complete Audio

Widespread Panic: NYE Nashville 2016 (More Of The Usual Shenanigans) A Review by Jamband Purist Photos (W.S.P. FB page) & complete audio of 12/31

 

    Our love for music tends to spread ourselves throughout the four corners of the country so we can celebrate with our respective favorite band.  for every New Year's season. We must remember that we are all the same in many ways and can all find common ground, you just gotta poke around . While some of us headed to MSG with their favorite Phriends or Denver to get Cheesie; this New Years I again chose my long time favorite Widespread Panic, who has yet to disappoint in my 5 years of NYE shows. My review will tackle the 30th, Nashville itself and then the New Year’s Eve show. 

Night 1: "The Hordes Descend Upon Music City"

 

      The show opened with "Porch Song" but I was a bit too busy waiting in line to get into the venue to really enjoy it. It took an extremely long time to get into Bridgestone Arena and it also seemed very confusing in many ways: perhaps the staff was unable to keep up with demand of its patrons or had no idea that the horde was about to descend upon them with the ferocity of all 2016's pent up aggression/agitation. "Space Wrangler" was the next solid performance. I opted for a seat in the back with lots of room for all my friends to boogie together. I "suffered" through...

   "Last Straw" brings back-home, kick stomping jams. It's very reminiscent of southern gospel, with killer licks thrown in by the master guitar wizard, Jimmy Herring; the entire band letting him take off into a spacey solo. I love "Rock" a Panic staple but Duane still gives it away; one of my favorite things about "Rock" was that it used to surprise me. Todd was a master of subtlety, something Duane has yet to master. (He seems more like the John Bonham type, slam and pound kinda guy) This was not so with this particular "Rock," we all felt it coming. "Postcard" is always welcomed with open arms. The backstory is as good as the song itself but this is truly a fan favorite. You can feel the energy of the crowd rise to a peak whenever they perform it.

 

      The boys seemed to be tight and really holding to the standards that they have built for years. While the tightness didn't allow for much risk taking or improv in this first set, consistency is the key to Panics long existence. "Diner" came on strong Jimmy, taking this machine to second gear, ripping it apart and bringing it to a stop with squeals and squawks. JB, "basking in the light" and making "sticky buns." (I always thought this song had some sexual connotation, like many of their songs, this only confirms my theories.) Great use of versatile improvisation in this song, showing amazing skills as musicians; building up into a great organ intro by JoJo >"Blackout Blues"... get my head up off the ground. "Junior," I love your dog I really do. Standard performances for these songs but then Jimmy screams that PRS right into "Fishwater" lights whipping around like a psychedelic tornado, Dave egging Jimmy on with those pocket riffs that say, "If you don't take the solo, I will."

 

Set 2- Starts off with "Greta" and I always wonder why it's either, yellow rabbits or yellow jackets? This song/band is the perfect platform for Jimmy Herring to shred, there is no better fit in the Jam world, period. I am still constantly amazed at his guitar virtuosity.

"Bears Gone Fishing" is a sexy backstage story about a Halloween show, this was one of my favorites of the night and any night they play it.

    "Surprise Valley" saw great interludes and exchanges between instruments; intellectual musical conversations were happening onstage and it was palpable. "Climb To Safety" is a great singalong but check out the original Jerry Joseph lyrics, a much different song.

"Good People" was a sing along as well but they kept it standard musically, heck we all need a break. "North" was rousing and made you want to hop a train and head to Alaska for gold or another romatic fantasy.                                                                                                                              This song included an extended jam like I've never seen before but was still within standard limits and they didn't venture out too far. An obvious, "Drums" came next, which lead into, "Cease Fire." One of my new favorites, which truly exemplifies Widespread Panics Southern Gothic sound: beautifully epic, ups and downs, with high emotional qualities entrenched in not only the chords but the lyrics, as well. Both, "Stevens Cat" and "Sell Sell" were within standard quality and nothing to write about. They concluded the show with a rousing encore "Protein Drink/Sewing Machine" is always one of my favorite Jimmy solos. "End of the Show," props to the lighting tech, who really knows how to work those disco balls.

 

(On Nashville)

     The streets of Nashville are reminiscent of a war-zone or the aftermath of a WWII bombing. Cranes assault the landscape, and bull dozers scour the earth to greater depths while high risers are being built constantly, higher and higher, above the legendary music capital. The main strip Broadway, had music every five steps; every bar filled to the brim with tourists in cowboy hats and drunk attitudes. This is bar band heaven and the acts that actually stick out, don't stay downtown for long. I roamed the streets for awhile but wasn't attracted to the Faux-Southern city. Nashville is up and coming with a lot of construction but its vibes seemed extremely tourist ridden and it didn't feel like a southern city by any means, as much as it would like to present itself that way.

 

Night 2: New Years Eve 2016 (Let's Do The Timewarp Again)

  I avoided the lines of the previous evening because  I arrived for the show much earlier. There were picket lines set up with over a dozen individuals holding signs and yelling from bullhorns about hell and damnation. I had seen these groups before at other shows but nothing to this extent. At one point, they even did a little march down the Main Street, spewing ignorance and intolerance along the way, like hateful paraders throwing out poison candy to the people. New Year's Eve is always an emotional time for me. The New Year is the only time where I can truly feel immediate change is brought forth in my life. A new year, a new life. It may be all in my head but it can be a motivating force. I was able to score a show poster and helped an older lady roll her poster up for her husband's Christmas present. She gave me a kiss on the cheek so, yes, JBP got a NYE kiss. New Years is a time to reflect on one's life. This being my last New Years in my 20s, there was a lot to think about: loss, death and also the future and things to come. Anyway, enough with the cliches, onward to 2017 and more healing with W.S.P..

 

Set 1:

    "Blue Indian" kicked off the holiday in style. It's a classic of the classics and there is no need to go any further, either you know or you don't. Now, we all feel the medicine take. This was an extremely standard take on this song but the crowd went wild regardless. "Holden Oversoul” kept the electric vibe alive throughout the sold out arena."Her Dance Needs No Body" was a very poignant and haunting song, especially with strings; the band holding back letting the strings carry the eeriness of the song into a strong, epic conclusion. This was very Southern Gothic.

     "Crazy" was followed by, "Still Crazy After All These Years," which JB restarted saying, "Let's start that one again." The crowd goes wild, even for tiniest mistakes. We are all still crazy after all these years and that's the truth... "Expiration Day" seemed fitting for this years occasion and I sat down and thought about my life for this one. Where I had been and where I was going. In the end, we don't really know the answers to the future, we just have to ride it out till the end.

 

2nd Set: 

   JB Opens up..."More Of The Usual Shenanigans" "Pigeons" was straightforward with great light production, showing off the diversity of their light show and the addition of two strips of lights in the middle of the venue and 5 Disco balls. "Henry Parsons" was absolutely ripping and I can't comment as much as I'd like for some of these jams because, I was grooving pretty hard. "Rebirtha" All the faces light up as the heroes take the field.

Mega blasters take the stage for "Sharon." I just love the lyrics, "She walks, she talks, she crawls on her belly like a reptile!" This was the crowd favorite; the same rowdy crowd that was here last night is back again! The next few songs were standards. It seems these shows were well rehearsed due to all the sit-in performances. Still, great musically just not a lot of improvisation, only musical envelopment and instrumental/vocal elements added and so well rehearsed. This is by mean son complaint. Next was, "Tail Dragger" and "Tall boy" which both while great, were still standard musically.     A Fiddle player who was not Nicky Sanders, joined the band for "Ain't Life Grand." While this set didn't differ much from the original versions with additives, it did show off the meticulous practice it took with all the band members and instruments/harmonies.

 

3rd Set: Here is where things start to get fuzzy. No, I wasn't drinking or anything like that but the music sure gave me a buzz. By this time, I was dancing and had forgotten all about taking notes and keeping track of the songs. I could lie and say things like, "A little Help From My Friends" blew the crowds mind or, "Disco" brought the audience to their feet, as they screamed and blah blah blah. But of course they did, that's why we all go to shows, that's why we all love these songs. From here on, I will only comment on a few noteworthy mentions.

 

    "Up All Night" has become a NYE tradition, this specific version accentuating the use of the Mccrary Sisters vocal prowess. I enjoyed the very jazzy, big band cover of Van Morrison's, "Moondance" with great horn solos and work from the auxiliary players. "Mexico" with horns is always a great addition.

While getting soaked with water never gets old, "Chilly Water" was full of killer guitar work from both Jimmy and Dave. The lights were amazing and I was super impressed by the precision in which the light engineer could anticipate the bands every move. They breezed through, "All Time Low" with exceptional vocals from The Mccrary Sisters but picked it up again for "Red Hot Mama."

The cover of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" was considerably funny, considering the scene outside the venue with Christian warriors commanding attention. "Stop. Hey, what's that sound?" Ohh no it's just those crazy people yelling at me again. "GO TO HELL HIPPIES!!!"

    The ball ballbusting "Burning Down The House" encore was obviously more than anyone was expecting. I can't believe how still my phone camera stayed. I was grooving pretty hard.

After the show, a few my friends entered into an alternate universe and began to drag me into it. There was some sort of time warp outside the venue, with fake nitrous balloons and even actors. I inspected the CO2 tank and found myself in my hotel robe, yelling at a "hotdog vendor" in the streets of Nashville at 4 am, completely sober, but very tired. Needless to say, Nashville is a strange city with a diverse culture that is teeming with all kinds of interesting influences. Nashville may be "Music City" but it's not always the music I am trying to hear. 

 

   As for Widespread Panic, they let it be known that they will be touring next year and all is right with the Jam world. I will not miss another Panic New Years as long as they are still playing. I love this band more than ever and can see why they consistently bring the Jam world to its knees.

Happy New Year!

Jam Band Purist-Thanks for Everything

Here is a complete recording of 12-31-2016

Radiohead at Austin City Limits Music Festival: 9-30-16 Setlist and Review

  I'm very aware of our demographic and that most of our fans love "jam band" music but I'll leave with a quote from Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead that I think fits this situation.  "If you want to hear the songs the same way they were played on the album, go listen to that. Don't expect us to recreate the album on stage, that's boring."

 If you care about this band, you'll read anything about them. If you don't really like Radiohead, there isn't enough ink in the world to make you care. So I don't really mind that this is a little late for a review.  This is more than a review though. As much as I hate to write it, Radiohead is a political band.  They don't write about the government specifically, well, sometimes they do. Still, mostly it's a lurching, negative, creepy presence in the background of all their songs. This new album the band is touring feels like a breakup album. Thom just left his partner of three decades and all the band members are off doing other stuff. The band has repeatedly said they are done with albums. This album is a wonderful mellow album full of atmospheric strings and loops and distorted vocals. Lyrically, it is a very soft-spoken, dystopian set of lyrics that have never sounded so good while being completely misanthropic.

"Red crosses on wooden doors

And if you float you burn

Loose talk around tables

Abandon all reason

Avoid all eye contact

Do not react

Shoot the messengers

This is a low flying panic attack" -"Burn the Witch"

The show opened with a Nina Simone' quote. “I’ll tell you what freedom is to me: No fear.”  This quote followed by the tune "Burn the Witch" started the show of with a sense of the foreboding that mirrored what this country is experiencing. It's hard to pull the situation this country is in right now from people's minds and just enjoy the show.  I noticed at the ACL fest, that I wasn't sure that the message was getting through. This show was an amazing experience. From intro to encore, the show was simply wonderful. From the scaled-back light show and double drumming to the animation of Thom Yorke and the concentration that J. Greenwood shows as he plays three instruments at the same time.  

The songs that have sarcasm or a pointed meaning were being sung straight-ahead with no irony by the Texas crowd. When Yorke sneers, "God loves his children,yeeeaaahh" the crowd responded like it was part of a lullaby, not the middle section of a dystopian epic about the loss of humanity and the inanity of cocaine-fueled "party" people. Maybe it was a function of being at a festival but I couldn't help but feel that Thom kept wanting to let loose on what's going on politically in our country in this show but owing to the Texas festival crowd, didn't feel like it was his place. He replaced personal comments with plenty of tracks off of "Hail to the Thief" and "OK Computer" that let his stance be known. This country is living in interesting times and artists make it a better place. I saw some other decent acts but I went for Radiohead and this was supposed to be a straightforward review but if you like the band, you already know they put on a transcendent show. You know they play amazing live shows that they use to unpack and stretch out their songs.  This was a wonderfully creepy concert because I couldn't tell how much of what the band has said has really sunk into the audience that was there. If you get a chance to see this band and you've never seen them before, do yourself a favor and check them out. However, I don't know if the ACL festival crowd was really feeling what the band was giving them. Maybe because the other closer was Major Lazer and people chose between dance music and Thom and co. Hopefully, I was reading the crowd wrong but if I wasn't, the way the crowd and the people around me enjoyed/took in this made me nervous. As much as I loved this show and this band, it's scary that's my takeaway. 

Greg Heffelfinger

Radiohead "Paranoid Android" ACL Festival 2016

1. Burn the Witch
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2. Daydreaming
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3. Ful Stop
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4. Airbag
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5. 2 + 2 = 5
   (The Smiths' "How Soon Is Now?" acapella intro)
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6. The National Anthem
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7. Bloom
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8. Lotus Flower
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9. The Gloaming
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10. Exit Music (for a Film)
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11. The Numbers
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12. Identikit
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13. Reckoner
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14. Everything in Its Right Place
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15. Idioteque
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16. Bodysnatchers
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17. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
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18. Encore:
19. Give Up the Ghost
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20. Paranoid Android
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21. Nude
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22. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
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23. There There
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24. Karma Police

© 2016 Grateful Music LLC

THE NTH POWER TO RELEASE ALBUM TO BE FREE - LIVE ON NOVEMBER 11, 2016

THE NTH POWER TO RELEASE ALBUM TO BE FREE - LIVE ON NOVEMBER 11, 2016

US ALBUM RELEASE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

LIVE VIDEO FEATURING "TAKE MY SOUL" FROM TO BE FREE - LIVE RELEASED TODAY

August 31, 2016 (Brooklyn, NY) — Funk and soul quartet The Nth Power are proud to announce the release of their dynamic new record, To Be Free - Live, on November 11, 2016. The band recorded the nine-track album in July during two nights of intimate live performances in Boston, MA and one night in the band’s hometown of Brooklyn, NY. Seven songs on the albumrepresent new material for the band.

The Nth Power’s gospel-style vocals along with their soul, jazz, funk and world-beat riffs create a sound and experience that is made for a live show. At the request of their fans, the band decided to capture that energy on their latest record. The result is an album that exudes the intimacy and organic quality of a live performance paired with the profound talent of four powerhouse musicians: Nikki Glaspie (vocals, drums); Nate Edgar (bass); Nick Cassarino (vocals, guitar); and Courtney J. Mell Smith (vocals, keyboards).

“When we recorded [our debut full-length album], Abundance, we wanted to have a clean studio approach to our music; to hear it done right and done crisp,” says Nick Cassarino. “Since thatrelease, we have been touring heavily for a year straight, and we have seen that when performed live, our energy and message seem to translate more fluidly to our audience.” To BeFree reflects that natural connection between performers and fans, representing the band’s sound in its truest state. “Every song is a journey, a story, a feeling, and an experience that we are honored to share with you,” shares Cassarino.

The band has also released a video featuring "Take My Soul", a standout blues track from thealbum which was filmed live in Boston at The Bridge Sound & Stage. ""Take My Soul" is an extremely powerful song that tells a story about a runaway slave that has surrendered his soul to God as he is being pursued by his adversary," says Nikki Glaspie. "The music is based in the blues tradition, of which, every member in the Nth Power respects and holds dear as an undeniable American Root.” Watch a preview for "Take My Soul" HERE.

To Be Free - Live will be distributed through Harmonzied Records and available for purchase exclusively at The Nth Power shows starting on October 12th. The album will then be available in record stores and via online digital and physical retailers on November 11th. Tickets for all To BeFree - Live tour dates go on sale Wednesday, August 31 at 10 am EST.

For more information on The Nth Power, including ticket information for all shows, visitthenthpowermusic.com.

Widespread Panic at the Hippodrome in Baltimore, MD- 9-13-16 A review by: Randy Harris

Widespread Panic at the Hippodrome in Baltimore,MD 9-13-16

 Different things come to mind for different people when they hear the name Widespread Panic. For some, it’s a specific night, a show and a date that are engrained into their minds forever. For others, it’s a song or a lyric that has guided their lives. For still others, it’s a sight, a sound or a feeling.

Whatever comes to your mind when you think of Widespread Panic, one thing is for sure. This band has provided hundreds of thousands of fans with over 30 years of memories, most of them good ones. When I think of Widespread Panic, I think of the passion that flows between the band and their fans. I also think of an air of acceptance. When I go to a Widespread Panic concert, I know that no matter who is sitting next to me, I’ll be treated like a lifelong friend. Good People they call themselves.

On Tuesday, September 13, 2016, the Good People converged on the Hippodrome Theatre in Downtown Baltimore. An abnormally warm September made for a lively scene outside the venue, which is a beautiful, historic theatre. Inside, the theatre has a unique majesty to it that is not normal for a rock show. As I was led to my seat by an usher, I began to get that familiar feeling of acceptance, and when I got there, the people around me all said hi and shook my hand. We all took in the beauty of the theatre as showtime crept closer and the venue quickly filled up. The band took the stage to their usual roar from the crowd. Not a soul was sitting down. Everyone in the building shook with anticipation, guessing what the first song might be. 

From the first chord of “A of D,” the audience responded energetically and raged the night away with the band. Widespread Panic led us down a creative setlist, which made up the sixth consecutive show with no repeats. This is a refreshing statistic, since the last year or so had been riddled with complaints of too many repeats due to the addition of their new drummer, Duane Trucks. The fact that they could pull off six shows in a row proves that Trucks has found his stride and is in for the long haul. Fans old and young cheered and danced as the band dug deep into their catalog. 

Unfortunately, however, the theatre was very close quartered for Widespread Panic’s sound, and I could not help but notice that Jimmy Herring’s lead guitar kept getting lost in the mix. I moved around to all corners of the venue to try and hear him, but I just couldn’t find the sweet spot. This aspect of the venue led to some repetitive sections that needed a bit of spice.

There were definitely moments of magic mixed in as well, even without as much of Jimmy in the mix. Each set consisted of a couple very nice jam sessions, including raucous takes on “Second Skin” and “Chainsaw City,” just to name a couple. Aside from the sound issues, the band put on a stellar performance and rewarded those of us who were willing to come out on a Tuesday. Dave Schools’ bass has always somehow sounded deeper to me than other bass guitars, and tonight was no different. JoJo rocked the keys, Duane and Ortiz held down the rhythm in style (including a nice “Drums” section) and of course, JB’s voice is just as alluringly raspy as ever. Renowned lighting designer Paul Hoffman also added to the experience with an absolutely mind-blowing light show. The Widespread Panic machine is as potent as ever during what could very well be their final official tour as a band.

Words & Photos: Randy Harris

 © 2016 Grateful Music, LLC

Following Gregg Allman's serious health issues the upcoming Peach Festival will now be hosting an Allman Brothers Incident

Following Gregg Allman's serious health issues the upcoming Peach Festival will now be hosting an Allman Brothers Incident  

Yesterday, Gregg Allman's son announced his dad had been released from the hospital. However, due to health issues,  Gregg Allman has been forced to cancel all their upcoming dates through October 29th. Even though the Peach Festival was included in this, the String Cheese Incident has decided to hold an Allman Brothers Family Incident and get on stage with members, past and present, of the Allman Brothers, with the String Cheese Incident.

According to the released info, the man himself, Oteil Burbridge will be playing along with Butch Trucks and Jaimoe. Also, Marc Quinones will round out the reworked band into along with long-time ABB family members, Bruce Katz and Scott Sharrard. However it shakes out, it's gonna be an Incident to remember. 

Here at Grateful Music we wish all the best to Gregg Allman and hope for speedy recovery. A originator of the jam scene and one of the godfathers of the style of music we love so much is sick. Let's send him good vibes and make sure Peach Festival is extra extraordinary.

August 26 and 27  by:Greg 

Heffelfinger

© 2016 Grateful Music LLC