| Author | Message | ||
| tom_z
Senior Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 462 Registered: 7-2004 |
In the tradition of Kevin H - here's a quickie review of some of the most recent live music I've been able to catch. I spent the weekend at the Vegoose music festival in Las Vegas - it's kind of nice when a big event like that happens in your hometown. I got to see a lot of music, but I'll focus mostly on Phil & Friends and Mickey's and Billy's project the Rhythm Devils. Let me start by saying that I have seen Phil and Friends many times - his latest DVD release is on it's way to my door as I type - I have numerous soundboard recordings from as early as 1999 and I can't remember a sloppier performance. To be fair Phil sounded great and dropped many bombs, John Medeski also sounded spectacular and was the consummate professional as was John Molo. Larry Campbell might have been good if he could have been heard over the usual cutting distortion of Trey Anastasio's guitar. Now, I'm not a big Phish phan, but I think in the right context Trey is a very skillful guitarist, and he has played some great shows with Phil in the past. Sunday night at Vegoose was not one of those nights. They opened with a loose but passable Shakedown Street and things fell apart from there. Row Jimmy was a complete train wreck and Birdsong was positively anemic. The handful of Trey songs they played were okay, but didn't do much for me. They played a decent Help on the Way > Franklin's Tower with Medeski stoking some sweet fire throughout but overall Phil and Trey (as it was billed) was a big disappointment. I'm happy to report that the other GD alums were in very fine form. The Rhythm Devils with Steve Kimock on guitar, Mike Gordon on bass, drum master Sikiru Adepoju, and Jen Durkin on vocals are carrying the Grateful Dead mantle with pride and great skill. Armed with fresh lyrics from Robert Hunter and incredible energy this unit blew away the crowd that was fortunate enough to check them out at their 3:00 PM time slot. Mickey and Billy were as tight as ever and Gordon with his Modulus sounded excellent. Kimock did his usual fiddling with his gear but blew the place into orbit on the pulsating rhythms of the devils. Fire on the mountain was amazing and included several new verses provided by Hunter and The Other One definitely achieved lift-off. If you had a chance to catch any shows on their short tour, I'm sure you know what I mean. If not, let's all hope they pull this band together for some more dates. Other notable performances were Yonder Mountain String Band, Praxis, Medeski Martin and Wood, and The Meters. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also played a great set in the cold late hours of Saturday night. I’m looking forward to next year. Peace, Tom A few pix of the Rhythm Devils.    | ||
| edwin
Intermediate Member Username: edwin Post Number: 187 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have to concur on the Rhythm Devils. I wasn't in Vegas, but I saw them in Littleton, CO at a roller rink (weird gig, but fun!). I've known Mike for a long time and he invited me to check out his current rig and that is what a bass rig should be! Double 18 powered Meyer bottom with a pair of UPA 1 (1x12" and horn) on top. Lots of fun toys, too! Mike really sounded great. Hanging with Billy was a lot of fun as well. I got to take a lot of pictures (~700) but the light was super low, so I ended up shooting at 1/15-1/45 of a second with a 200mm lens. I did get some good ones, though. Edwin    Edwin   I also have pictures of Steve and Sikuru as well. Edwin (Message edited by davehouck on November 03, 2006) | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2049 Registered: 9-2003 |
Cool! Thanks for the pix, review and props. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| tom_z
Senior Member Username: tom_z Post Number: 464 Registered: 7-2004 |
Great pix Edwin! Thanks. I'd love to see a couple of Steve. Peace Tom | ||
| edwin
Intermediate Member Username: edwin Post Number: 189 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here you go! Sikuru and Kimock! Edwin   (Message edited by davehouck on November 03, 2006) | ||
| foth
Intermediate Member Username: foth Post Number: 121 Registered: 12-2004 |
Great thread with such beautiful pics. Thanks Tom and Edwin! | ||
| phylo
Junior Username: phylo Post Number: 47 Registered: 10-2005 |
Wow. Thanks for the pics. Edwin, I checked out your website. The link to Bear's page made me smile. I check it every couple of months and wonder if there is anyone else out there doing the same. |
