radiowilco

Joe Russo's Almost Dead

Higher Ground

Burlington, VT

2/5/15

Thought I would just post this on the Grateful Dead thread instead of the live shows page so it would reach the most interested audience on the board...

I was Joe Russo's Almost Dead last night and, well, skip Chicago and get yourselves to one these gigs if you can :-)  This was my first time seeing these guys live and was completely blown away.  They play the music of the Grateful Dead, but are not a cover band.  I am pretty burnt on all things post-Dead, but this band is really breathing new life into the Grateful Dead song book.  Everyone of these guys is a monster player in their own right, and they are very clearly enjoying themselves on stage.  Hamilton and Metzger are superb guitar players who compliment each others style and skills.  Marco Benevento (a personal favorite of mine) was in rare form as well bashing away at his keyboard and synth.  That said, I was most impressed with Russo and Driewitz - these two are an extremely powerful rhythm section who sound nothing like Phil, Mickey and Billy -- and I mean that in a good way.  Mostly, these guys are simply celebrating the songs of the Dead and playing with them with amazing passion and originality.  Go see them!!!

Here's the Set List as played:

The Music Never Stopped>

Scarlet Begonias>

Bertha

Estimated Prophet>

Crazyfingers>

Mr. Charlie>

Brown Eyed Women

Space>

Help on the Way>

Slipknot>

Franklin's Tower>

He's Gone> (w/Caution and Slipknot Teases)

Truckin' (w/Caution and Other One Teases)

The Other One (w/Caution and Slipknot Teases)

Never did catch a JGB show - much to my dismay.

 

Listened to the Joe Russo's Almost Dead shows from 09/19/2014 & 09/20/2014 at Concord Music Hall, Chicago, IL this morning --- really good stuff, wish I would have made the shows. I was never much a fan of Benevento/Russo duo when they use to perform on a regular basis, so I never paid much attention to their Almost Dead shows before today.

 

https://archive.org/details/jrad2014-09-20.cmc621.sbd.matrix.flac16

 

https://archive.org/details/jrad2014-09-19.cmc621.sbd.matrix.flac16

Really looking forward to seeing these guys next week at Higher Ground in Burlington.  I am generally "meh" on all things post-Dead, but JRAD is really bringing something new and special to their renditions of the Dead's songbook.  The Cumerland Blues from the Brooklyn Bowl show earlier this week is simply amazing.  There's a nice clean copy to stream or download over at www.nyctaper.com -- love those guys!!!

Trey will not be ready to play.  Nobody ever solos in these shows.  They just dick around and are almost inaudible.  That Trey St. Stephen is an outlier.  JK kind of started soloing by the end of Furthur.  Jerry soloed the entire night!  Hornsby, Mickey and Billy will lay low.  Phil will nail it, as he does every night.  Bob will sing well, but pull they tempo way down.  They will be under-rehearsed and play tunes they never rehearsed.  It will be a slog.  I feel like I should go to maintain my Dead credibility, I know I'd just be pissed.  I do have some hope they pull it off though.  Really tighten up a setlist and that Trey actually solos (which he doesn't even do anymore in his own band or phish).

 

RE: soloing, I always went to see phish and the dead to hear the tunes I loved, some experimentation AND the fat, linear, complete solos they'd do.  That's been gone from these two bands for almost 20 years now.  Started with phish in 97.

 

Sorry to rant   :-)

I think your selling Trey a bit short here - I think he has the requisite chops and confidence to do his part.  I am a long time Burlington resident having seen my first Phish shows back in the days of Nectars and Hunts.  That said, my first Dead show was at the Maine State Fairgrounds in September of 1980 and I saw most of my shows (some 150+) between 1982 and 1985.  After I began to sour on the scene as it grew big, ugly and out of control -- I had no interest or desire to "engage" with Phish in the middle/late 90's as they pushed from the club scene to large arenas.  I would check out the band from time to time (I did see the first musical costume Halloween show in Glens Falls where they played The White Album), and Trey's playing always impressed me - it was the rest of the band that did little or nothing for my ears.  A few years back - they played their first show in Vermont in years at the Champlain Fairgrounds - it had been years since I had seen the band live, and I must say, Trey really blew me away with his guitar work.  Again, I think of all the choices for the Jerry slot - he is easily best suited to get it done.

I hope the run is well played and folks get their money's worth - for me, there are way too many variables that could make the three days a total shit-show... I just don't happen to believe that Trey is one of those variables. 

I agree - my heart says keep an open mind about the Chicago shows, but my head tells me to stay far away from this.

I have been to Soldier Field as well - and it sucks. Stadium shows in general suck. My other primary fear of going to this run of shows is that I would have to sit through a Hell in a Bucket>Sugaree opener (for that 200th time) and an Aiko>Women>Terrapin (for the 100th time). No thanks. With all the talk about a short run covering NYC, Chicago, Red Rocks and SF - this all seems a bit forced to me. I am not all convinced that they really, truly want to do this. I really don't think Phil or Mickey want to do it at all.

That said, I think Trey is the best pick for the role for a bunch of reasons - not the least of which is the moment won't make him shit his pants. I think Trey, Hornsby and Phil will be ready to play - I am not sure about the rest of them. I'm with Mountain Bed - cold micros, my large screen with excellent sound - and no lines for the toilet.

The War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream

Drive By Truckers - English Ocean

Deerhoof - La Isla Bonita

Ty Seagall - Manipulator

Sharon Van Etten - Are We There

TWEEDY - Sukirae

Spoon - They Want My Soul

John Fullbright - Songs

Real Estate - Atlas

Mac DeMarco - Salad Days

Sun kil Moon - Benji

Beck - Morning Phase

Box Sets:

Wilco - Alpha Mike Foxtrot

Sleater-Kinney - Start Together

So, Nels showed up for the gig last night here in Burlington - but Julian did not.  Poor Julian was up the hill at the University of Vermont Medical Center.  Nels described him as "very, very ill and not able to use his right arm very well."  We did not learn much more than that.  I hope he is okay as last night was the start of their short run of shows in New England and northern New York.

Nels came to the stage of the church clutching a large glass of red wine.  He told the almost capacity crowd that playing solo is "not his thing" and that when he does it he "surrounds himself with lots of gadgets to create loops and soundscapes."  When he plays with Julian - he obviously never uses those items.  He then told us that he was going to play a bunch songs and that if we wanted our money back - he was cool with that.

Nels played three Ornette Coleman tunes, which were absolutely stunning to my ears.  He then played two songs from his recent record with Lage where he used a mic to "sing" Julian's parts of the composition.  This was bold stuff and it worked very well.  He said he made the decision to do this on the fly.  He played a Scott Amendola original song, and closed with a couple of his own original pieces - both dedicated to the late, great guitarist Jim Hall.

It was really inspiring to see and listen to an artist who hours earlier thought he was preparing for a duo show with a "young man" he said "that may one of the greatest guitar players ever - when all is said and done.  I mean that - I really do."  He could have easily cancelled the gig for a very good reason.  He did not.  He played beautifully for 90 minutes - talking to the crowd about the songs and sipping his wine.  "It's come to this," he said, "drinking on stage" to the laughter of the audience.

I am completely certain that no one asked for their money back...

Thanks to bbop for the "official" set list and adding "Promising" to my list -

After a good night sleep and a long day of travel - I am ready to go. Off to Grimey's and Third Man Records for sure... drinks and early dinner at Merchants before the show tonight.

This was/is my first experience seeing any live music at The Ryman. Wow! Better than advertised... I was in the balcony and the sight lines and sound were perfect. I am down on the floor tonight - three rows back in the center and am really looking forward to changing it up tonight.

Highlights for me included - Cars, Pick Up the Change, One Wing, Ashes, and How to Fight Loneliness. The Misunderstood was great fun - a little loose, but way cool anyway...

I am hoping for a little more energy tonight - the crowd in the balcony sat for the entire main set (except a small chunk of us in Row H who did not) I agree with post above that Solitaire slowed things down for the not-Wilco faithful. Anyway - off to enjoy the sun and the city. Have fun tonight folks!

Set List -

Forget the Flowers

Solitaire

Muzzle of Bees

Cars Can't Escape

One By One

Pick Up The Change

Hummingbird

Art of Almost

I Might

Break Your Heart

One Wing

Via Chicago

Whole Love

Box Full of Letters

I'm Always in Love

? - Jeff on Acoustic and Nels on Acoustic Lap (bbop - a little on help on this :-)

Ashes of American Flags

How to Fight Loneliness

Jesus Etc

Born Alone

Late Greats

Heavy Metal Drummer

Magazine Called Sunset

Dawned on Me

Shot In The Arm

___________________

Impossible Germany

Red Eyed

I Got You

Outta Site

___________________

Misunderstood (Acoustic and Unplugged - Full Band at the Edge of the Stage - Crowd Sing-a-Long)

More from me tomorrow - stunning show in many ways. The Ryman is outstanding - truly incredible venue. Well worth the trip from Vermont. Stoked for more tomorrow and in Knoxville. Tired - long trip getting here...

Wait, so was this the live debut of Pigeons then? I hadn't seen it on any other setlists from this current run, but maybe I missed it. Certainly it hasn't been done very often, so you got a Sukierae rarity!

I believe this was the live debut - it was lovely.  Also, to answer your earlier question - Secret of the Sea was played on his old Martin.

Oh Portland, how I love you. My goals were to see Tweedy, to eat local food and have a fancy cocktail. And I must say I was wildly successful on all counts. Even stayed an extra day to explore more restaurants. Just a solid farm-to-table mentalitly at almost every place we went. Highlights were Empire, Boda, Local 188, Eventide, Vinland, 555, Holy Donuts and Hot Suppa. Looking forward to another visit soon to continue the food tour with Duck fat, Hugo's, Nosh and Central Provisions. Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and pecans, pastrami egg roll, sweet potato glazed donut, oysters and salted butter semi-fredo, some amazing cocktails made with homemade tinctures and a red wine that tasted a bit like dried salami.

 

oh yeah the Tweedy...

I'm always a bit anxious before GA shows because the standing in line factor interferes with exploring a new city (though you do meet some lovely people in line). Definitely wasn't a problem for this show. Basically walked in about 630ish and sat in the second row next to a super cool person. Met 3 Canandians (lovely people as well) who were friends with the loud intoxicated Portland man who decided to talk to Jeff through the entire show. At first it was fine because it was Jeff banter, (who doesn't love Jeff banter) but things escalated and by the end of the show someone from the 3rd row left their seat to yell at him. Despite the drunken behavior I really enjoyed the show. It was my 4th time seeing Tweedy and the third time being at The State Theater.

 

I realize I have more details on the food I ate then of the show but I kind of zone out and go to my happy place when I'm watching Tweedy, (with or without Wilco) and try to stay present. So I'll leave it to others with better memories to comment on the show's details.

 

Looking forward to seeing Wilco at the Ryman in a few weeks. It will be my first time in Nashville so I'm glad I know where I'll be seating so I can go out and explore. And of course find some delicious local dishes (but not friend boloney on white bread, no won't do it)

If you can - go online and try to book a reservation at The Catbird Seat - this is one of the very best restaurants I have ever visited - anywhere.  Spectacularly terrific and inventive.  It's a prefix menu with optional drink and wine pairings.  You can ONLY reserve a seat (or seats) through Open Table.  If they are booked (which is likely, I think) get on the waiting list.  That has worked for me twice in the past.  Also, Etch and The Southern are quite good too - and both are close to The Ryman.

Man, sorry to hear that the show wasn't too well-attended. And that the crowd was a bit subdued. I felt the same at the State in Portland on Sunday night — I heard there were only two guys who stood during California Stars — but maybe that's just the vibe of these shows to a certain extent. Too bad, though, because for as much joking as Jeff does about the abundance of waltzes, they do really rock out sometimes.

 

So lucky you got Secret of the Sea! I'm not sure people realize how much of a rarity that one is, especially solo. (And just like there only only one key in Give Back The Key To My Heart, there's only one secret in Secret of the Sea...though I see this wrong all over the place!) Anyway, I assume he just played it with one of his "regular" acoustics and not a 12-string...? We've Been Had, Via Chicago and Ashes, too...always great solo.

 

Yet another missed Burlington show to add to my list of regrets... Sounds like the solo set really was "Solo Excellence" indeed! Reminds me of a Wilco setlist I have from way back, when the encore is just listed as "Rock Songs, etc."

Thanks for the correction bbop - one key, not two. One secret, not many secrets    Sorry you weren't able to make over for this show. Burlington will welcome you with open arms next time around... if there is a next time around!?!?  With last nights' poor turnout - who knows. Having Alex Crothers and Higher Ground based here does help our future chances...

First, I was VERY disappointed in my town for not showing up in droves for this show.  There were more empty seats at The Flynn last night than there were at The State the night before, and Tweedy did a free show in Maine in late July.  Grrrrr.  People in Burlington bitch about getting passed over by quality bands (the go straight from Boston to Montreal), and then when Higher Ground books great acts - people stay home.  On a side note - I don't think the good folks at HG promoted this show well at all.  I think they thought they'd fill the place.  In the last couple of weeks I received lots of promoted posts from them on my FB feed - I knew that their numbers must have been low, but it was way worse than I thought.

It was great seeing back-to-back shows.  I was talking to a guy in the audience who saw one of their shows over the summer - he noted that the band was "way better" last night - more time with the songs and as a band...

I thought the solo set was superb - better than Portland.  So happy to see Secrets of the Sea!  I was up close and it was a true pleasure watching him play - his voice (the high range particularly) was on full display.

Great night - really enjoyed myself.  Looking forward to the Wilco shows at The Ryman in a few weeks...

It was such a beautiful day in northen New England yesterday - I got up early and after a short run - decided to drive over to Portland for the show from Burlington.  I really dig Portland and it was nice to be able to enjoy their downtown, buy some records at Bull Moose, and eat some oysters down on the waterfront.  This was my first time at The State and I thought it was great.  Higher Ground books all the acts at The State and manages the venue as well.  As a Burlingtonian, we are starting to see some of cool back-to-back booking between The State and The Flynn - like the two Ryan Adams shows earlier this summer.  As bbop noted, Jeff did take notice that LL Bean free show earlier in the summer may have put a crimp in ticket sales for last nights show.  I think Burlington will turn out tonight and represent our small, little city well... 

I am still wading through the new record which I didn't receive from Kung Fu until a couple of days after the release.  I watched the webcast from BAM (which I thought was great) and listened to the CD a few time through on my drive over to Portland yesterday.  I am really, I mean really, liking this record a lot.  I know that some find it to long, a bit unfocused etc... but it is totally working for me.  I do think the ladies of Lucius add greatly to the record on the tunes they contribute to (particularly High as Hello), and I thought they were a real value add at the BAM show.  I found myself wanting their voices on those songs and not the voices of Jim, Spencer and Liam.  This, however, did not get in the way of what I thought was an excellent show all the way around.

Highlights for me included Nobody Dies Anymore, World Away, New Moon, Low Key, Fake Fur Coat (that song kicks ass) and Diamond Light, Pt. 1.  Loved the Diane Izzo cover!  Great to see to Jeff play Gun
(it's been a while), and I loved the Please Tell My Brother > Hesitating Beauty sequence of the solo set.  Also, the entire five song set to close the show was terrific.  It looked they might do another one - but Jeff waved off his guitar tech..

Lots of talk about Darin in this thread - whatever - he can totally play.  Spencer too!  I thought both of them were locked in all night.  Frankly, I think this band is really serving this new group of songs extremely well.

I am stoked for a hometown show tonight.  If anyone of you are in Burly looking for suggestions on good eats, good drinks, good walks - ping me here.

More Wilco 2014 content:

 

City Hall Plaza is not the right venue for Neutral Milk Hotel.

I bet!  Seeing them Tuesday night at Higher Ground in Burlington - should be great.

Thanks for the info - I am feeling good about Section 10/Balcony and Section 5 Row D Seat 1 on the floor.  I think I'll take your advice and stay put.  There are already to seats for Section 10 in the Balcony going for $150 on StubHub!  I travel to Nashville on business 10 out of 12 months each year - I have fallen in love with the city.  I stay at The Union Station Hotel which is amazing and very well situated for enjoying all that Nashville has to offer.  In August, I caught Amanda Shires at 3rd and Lindsley - amazing show.  I am hoping there might be a good late night set of bluegrass happening at The Station Inn after the Wilco shows.  But mostly, see these guys at The Mother Church - holy shit!!![

 

This will be my first time at the Ryman and I'm so excited! I could only get balcony seats but looks like section 10 is a good section. Thanks for mentioning The Union Station Hotel. I'm looking for hotels now. I have high expectations for Nashville. Coming with camera in hand. If anyone knows of specific areas for graffiti and great architecture I'd love to hear. Thanks

The Union Station Hotel is great and is also a terrific example of turn of the century architecture - also a short walk to The Ryman and other excellent live music venues and killer food.  All that said, there is apparently some LARGE conference/convention (Nashville opened a huge new convention center downtown last year) and my local contacts have told me that rooms are filling fast.  If you are looking for hotel accomodations close to The Ryman for these shows - I would get on it quickly.  Also, the New York Times has a nice "36 Hours in Nashville" piece posted on their site - I tried to repost it here, but was not successful for some reason...

Nice.... mine tend to work the opposite where I'm out of town when something great happens close to home. 

 

Good seats at the Ryman are a thing of beauty.  I agree with DownUp that the Balcony is really nice there. 

The wings / sides are really, really on the side and can be awkward sight lines. 

And the lower level seats that are tucked back under the balcony (~row P and back) are pretty crowded by the low balcony. 

 

So, yeah, there are some bad seats, IMO.  But if you avoid those, you'll love it.

Thanks for the info - I am feeling good about Section 10/Balcony and Section 5 Row D Seat 1 on the floor.  I think I'll take your advice and stay put.  There are already to seats for Section 10 in the Balcony going for $150 on StubHub!  I travel to Nashville on business 10 out of 12 months each year - I have fallen in love with the city.  I stay at The Union Station Hotel which is amazing and very well situated for enjoying all that Nashville has to offer.  In August, I caught Amanda Shires at 3rd and Lindsley - amazing show.  I am hoping there might be a good late night set of bluegrass happening at The Station Inn after the Wilco shows.  But mostly, see these guys at The Mother Church - holy shit!!!

Sometimes business travel and great live music collide in a perfect way - today is one of those times.  Tickets for both nights of The Ryman - Night 1 in the balcony and Night 2 right up front in the center.  I have never been to The Ryman, but I assume there really isn't a bad seat in the house - excepting the ones with poles in the way.  Is this the case?  Wondering whether it's worth trying to score floor tix for Night 1 or just be grateful for I've got... In any event - Woo Hoo!!!

I have always had a love and not so much love relationship with Ryan Adams - mostly associated with his unpredictable live shows during his drug and alcohol fueled years.  One night he'd blow you away and the next he'd pass out at his piano playing La Cienga Just Smiled.  That said, "Heartbreaker" remains a desert island record for me and I still love to listen to "Cold Roses" on 180 Gram vinyl on my turntable.  Ryan and his new band showed up last night in Burlington and delivered an absolute gem of show - my friend called it a "master class" - whatever it was, it was simply stunning.  Ryan's voice has always been his best instrument and it was on full display last night in a 20 song set that featured brand new material from his soon to be released record "Gimme Something Good," and songs from his sprawling catalog which, at this point, is simply amazing.  He has so much good material to choose from.  The new band is excellent.  They are not at all like The Cardinals in sound or performance - they are more understated, serving his songs in a more pure manner.  The new songs are more like Ryan's earlier material on "Gold" and "Heartbreaker" than they are like his work with The Cardinals.  As always, there was some quality banter that included bits on Danzig, Dionne Warwick, Star Wars, and cigarette smoking French roosters.  But mostly, he just played and sang with great energy and joy.  So good to have him back in the game...

Here is the set list as played:

Gimme Something Good

Magick

Stay with Me

Fix It

Do I Wait

Let it Ride

Dirty Rain

Beautiful Sorta

Shadows

Political Scientists

Oh My Sweet Carolina

Everyone Knows

Kim

Peaceful Valley

Wrecking Ball

Go Easy

Am I Safe

Crossed Out Name

----------------------------

Come Pick Me Up

Oh, I wasn't trying to suggest that I'm not appreciated! Haha. I fully realize that there are lurkers-a-plenty. Just that it's nice to know at least you're reading them. But thanks for the kind words...and I look forward to (dread) ever being said go-to fellow/audience witness talking head.

Thanks bbop - I lurk regularly and post infrequently.  Your timely set lists, reviews, observations, reports on JT banter etc... are deeply apprecciated.  Always a "must read" for me with my morning coffee when Wilco or Jeff are on tour.  Really looking forward to seeing these songs played live in Portsmouth, NH in late July!

Built to Spill stopped by Higher Ground in Burlington recently and simply blew the doors off the joint.  I have seen BTS a bunch of times over the years, but this was easily the best show I have seen them play.  With a new ryhthm section in tow - the band sounded very fresh and better than ever.  Doug and his band are the true anti-rock stars.  I love how they set up their own gear and generally don't display any of the shitty rock star stuff that other bands do.  They are sumpremely confident playing their material (and covers) - they simply let their music do the talking.  With no new album to push - we got the goods and more... 

Here is the set list as played:

Revolution

Goin' Against Your Mind

In the Morning

The Plan

Center of the Universe

Sidewalk

I Would Hurt a Fly

Reasons

Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss

Stab

Carry the Zero

Gut Feeling/Slap Your Mama (Devo)

____________________________

Orion (Metallica)

(Don't Fear) The Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult)

Train in Vain (The Clash)

How Soon is Now (The Smiths)

No Buck last night. Joe Adragna from New Orleans was on drums, and I think a guy named Mike Giblin from Harrisburg, Pa., was on bass. Scott mentioned the guitarist, but I didn't catch his name.

The guitar player in question is Casey Neill.  Casey is longtime collaborator of Scott's and fronts his own band - "The Norway Rats," which includes members of The Decemberists.  Casey is also a dear friend who wrote two original pieces of music for my wedding more than 20 years ago.

I had seen Jeff Mangum's first solo show back after his long hiatus at the First Unitarian Church in Burlington, VT.  It was a fantastic show - partly because of his long hiatus and folks were simply jonesin' see the guy play.  I remember listening to him that August evening and imaging what more the band would bring to these songs in a live setting.  I finally got the chance to do this last night and NMH did not disappoint.  They sounded fresh and were clearly breathing new life into their songs that they had not played together in many years.  The crowd was on fire from the first note of the show and the band members response to their energy was palpable.  Elf Power opened the show with an excellent set and members of the band joined NMH on stage for several songs throughout the evening.  A really enjoyable night of music - catch them if you can in a city near you.  Here's the setlist as played:

Two Headed Boy (Mangum Solo)

The Fool

Holland, 1945

A Baby for Pree

Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone

Everything Is

King of Carrot Flowers Part 1

King of Carrot Flowers Part 2 and 3

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

Namoi

Ferris Wheel on Fire

Oh Comely (Mangum Solo - First Half of Song)

Song Against Sex

Ruby Bulbs

Snow Song Part 1

Encore:

Ghost

(untitled)

Two Headed Boy Part 2

Engine

Just returned from an incredible evening of music with Nels and Julian Lage.  Stunning.  Beautiful.  Haunting.  These words all come to mind...  This was the duos fifth show ever - with a few more shows coming in the next bunch days in New England.  Nels noted that they have just started playing together and were still working out the kinks - well, if that's the case, I would love to see them when all the kinks are worked out.  Nels played a six string and twelve string electric, and Julian played a six string acoustic for all but song.  Most of the songs were "untitled at this point" and are "works in progress."  Nels dedicated the final song of the evening which was actually suite to Yuka - it was simply gorgeous.  Julian is an incredible player with a similar style to Nels.  He is understated in his presentation and lets his guitar work do all the talking for him.

If this duo is headed your way in the next week or so - don't miss it.  Truly inspired playing by two musicians at the very top of their game.

Happy holidays to all...

Grrr... Paste never seems to get anything right!

Wilco(25), Radiohead(22), David Byrne & St. Vincent(20), and Neil & Crazy Horse(17) were among the VERY best shows I saw in 2012.

I have seen both the Alabama Shakes (fun, but not anywhere near the bands mentioned above) and The Lumineers (really???) in the past year as well.

That said, I am seeing Titus Andronicus tomorrow night and if this show is even close to the one I saw a year or so ago -- it will be GREAT evening of live music.

I had hoped to make the Hartford show, but alas, I cannot...

My ticket is of the printed variety and is section S in the middle on the floor. I will be at MassMoCA tomorrow and could do the exchange there... could Fed Ex as well.

PM me here.