White Lawn Review

As the final night of a 10 days tour Umphrey’s McGee brought a great show with really interesting jams, a Feelgood jam, an amazing cover, and very intriguing sets to the Lawn at White River State Park, in Indianapolis, IN.

To lead things off was the pre recorded intro ‘Gurgle’ that sounds exactly like its name.  A harsh gurgle moogy sound and then it immediately built up to ‘Ringo.’  Side note: I was really surprised that they did not play this song on the 4^th of July this year, but they played it on the weekend of.

This has been a jam vehicle for years with 2 sections of improv. The most notable places are prior to “….a bunch of greasy animals…” and after a “…Slim Knows the Score…”    The jams were rather unique (Funky & Bass heavy to rather progressive guitar/ piano led) and all over the place and bringing the heat early with this running time 15.24.

Which lead the crowd to ‘Red Tape’, which is another huge jam vehicle that got really funky at points but was a rather spacey jam, and rather drum oriented.  Almost a start stop jam sounded like boulders crashing down.  It lasted almost 20 minutes and got the crowd roaring at several different points. This being only thesecond song, I knew that we were in for a treat the rest of the night.

Being a longtime Umphrey’s fan, I knew that they like to switch it up all the time. A little moog Taurus III started the bass & synth led ‘The Linear’ was the next song; it was a pretty short but sweet version.  The cerebral song got the crowd thinking about life, relationships and how awesome the concert was going so far.

  There was a bunch of synchronized guitar playing that faded into synth portion that got the crowd from thinking to moving.  The synth intro to ‘Day Nurse’ snuck up and for most of the crowd.  As soon as the rest of the band jumped in the audience did too, and it was a dance party. The body moving was included as well as the face melting.  Bayliss says after the song “I know it’s hot, but that’s why god made sweat glands…so…that’s okay”

When the song ended they took an interesting turn to the grungy ballad ‘Loose Ends,’ The collective emotion was overwhelming coming from both the band and the audience. Lead singer/ guitarist Brendan Bayliss was belting his heart out on stage throughout the chorus “It’s not too difficult to tighten….Loose Ends….for…me”. 

After everyone regained their composer, the drums and percussion kicked in for the start of the rocking ‘Puppet String.’  As soon as the chorus hit, the crowd was going crazy, jumping up & down, with rage fists up in the air!  Finally the breakdown of “these puppet strings don’t pull themselves…..you’re thinking thoughts from someone else….how much time do you think you have…are you prepared for what comes next” Into a monster solo by Cinniger topped with a little but powerful jam.  The band said thanks and we will see ya in a little bit.

 Side Note:  Both 5.25.12 & 7.7.12 (this show) 1^st sets ended with a Loose>Puppet.

The second set opened up with a ‘No Crying in Mexico>Hangover’ it was a pretty basic ‘Hangover’ until Bayliss got sentimental during the ‘break out the booty wax’ part.  He mentioned the roots of the band were from South Bend City and how much they love coming back,   “Getting freaky on the loose end, getting freaking in South Bend…”He said that his left side would sing, ‘Break out the booty wax,’ while his right side would sing ‘It’s Saturday night!’ I believe the right side was louder. 

‘Miami Virtue’ the Death By Stereo album opener came next.  A much distorted, with keys remaining in the background and a dissolved ending to jam and the song was left unfinished.  For the next tune they brought up G. Love on harmonica to do Led Zeppelin’s ‘When the Levee Breaks’ everyone was super excited to hear it.  G. Love played Robert Plant’s part phenomenal on harmonica.  Jake had an unbelievable solo that brought broke the levee.

The band had to take a break for a minute or two after that scorcher.  The feedback started up, and it was the distorted sound of ‘1348’ landing to melt faces everywhere in sight.  I am a big fan of this song and the jam was heavy but needed. This jam whirled its way into the chorus/ jam ‘Dr. Feelgood’ by Motley Crue.  Just shy of 3 minutes ‘Dr. Feelgood’ made way for ‘Much Obliged’ one of the first Umphrey’s tunes.  I am biased; I love this song every time I hear it.   Brendan altered the lyrics from ‘be glad they even know your name,’ to ‘be glad they even know Joel’s name.’  The band tends to make fun of their keyboard wizard from time to time. Within the jam Jake seemed to be teasing ‘No Comment’ within the jam  .  After some noodling with direction they concluded the song.

‘Crucial Taunt,’ the new song that has only been played 3 times since it become a full song, and definitely rocked the house. I love the lyrics, the music, and the lights looked great for it.  The last time I saw it played was a day show at summer camp so I could not see the lights.   Side note:  Crucial Taunt is the ‘New Song’ at Summer Camp 2012 5.27.12, it’s pretty much the lyrics from the 4.08.05 stew in Nemo. After the song came to an end the crowd was hooting and hollering.  They slowed it down and played the rarity ‘Dear Lord.’  They were feeling of thankfulness surrounded the crowd.  The Keyboard Wizard himself was definitely tickling the ivories on this one.  He was really playing great.  This was the calm before the storm. 

The storm started when ‘Dear Lord’ got chaotic, they did not hesitate to make way for the end of ‘1348’ which was a great end to the show.  The crowd was going wild.  UM signs everywhere.  I had a feeling that the encore was going a heavy hitter.  I was thinking that it’d be one song.  I would have not have guessed that it would be ‘Miss Tinkle’s Overture.’  Miss Tinkle’s ended up bringing the house down.  Great solos from both Brendan & Jake. 

Overall, great show, as well as great venue, thank you Umphrey’s McGee can’t wait to see you guys again soon. 

The More You Know....
@Knowofmanything


Follow the greatest band in the world...
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2nd leg sUMmer tour (1st Half)

After at great festival run...and melting faces along the way...Hangout,  Wakarusa, Summer Camp..and playing an outstanding late night set at Bonnaroo, Umphrey's hits the road again starting in Richmond, VA on 6.28. The last time they were there at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, the King of Pop had passed (6.25.09). Umphrey's tends to cover Michael Jackson songs here and there, but this whole show had quotes from songs such as Smooth Criminal in August to and All In Time with a Wanna be Starting Something jam.  To top it off there was the Billy Jean encore, but like any Umphrey's fan knows Bayliss takes some artistic freedom with the lyrics.


Up next is the Outside the Factory in Philadephia, PA on 6.29.  This isn't a new venue it is just outside the famed jam band venue the Electric Factory.  Umphrey's has played there numerous times and the most recent show was  2.11.12 (A Tribute to Whitney show) where Jake teased I Want To Dance with Somebody in Ocean Billy and there was an I will Always Love You tease in Glory.  Besides all the tease tributes to Whitney they had a killer show and debuted a cover of Ween's Freedom of '76. They also pick up G.Love & The Special Sauce to open a handful of shows.  These shows will have one long 2 hour set so be prepared and keep hydrated.


Then it's off to Boston on 6.30 where Umphrey's plays Bank of America Pavilion.  I am pretty sure it's their first time playing here. It'll be one long set as they are sharing the bill with G. Love. They usually have great shows in Boston.  The last Boston show had some huge songs with huge jams taboot, even a premiere of new the new intro Flamethrower.  Another really fun show is 1.27.11 there is a huge Conduit stew as well as a great jam to segue Much Obliged > All In Time.  Be sure to catch Wyllys & Mr Bonkerz b2b spinning at the Rise for the after party. 


Then off to the Stone Pony Summer Stage on 7/1.  The highlights of recent shows played on here was last years 6.3.11  Nemo>Cheap Sunglasses> Nemo sandwich and Bottom Half with a Free Falling jam, lastly the Resolution>No Comment.  I am pretty sure after a handful of shows the band will be on fire, and might even play Bruce Springsteen's I'm on Fire like they did on 8/7/10, as a part of one giant sandwich which looked like this...Sociable Jimmy > Walletsworth, Eat > Nemo > Eat, In The Kitchen > The Stranger > I'm On Fire > In The Kitchen. The after party should be fun, it's the Tiny Boxes featuring Joel Cummins.  Definitely check this one out.  


Back to the Mitten to slay the KRESGE AUDITORIUM with G. Love. I am pretty sure it's their first time playing this venue  In the mind set of any Umphrey's fan of course they're going to leave no faces unmelted in this auditorium.  Last time they played Michigan there was a huge first set Nipple Trix > Phil's Farm > 2x2 > Forks > Smell the Mitten get the show right here.  There's even a cover of Hall & Oates Maneater with Nicholas Gerlach from the Twin Cats on sax. It's a pretty entertain version due to the fact that it is spot on and some of the lyrics are altered.  Lastly the encore is Kiss' Detroit Rock City that segues into the end of Nothing to Fancy. 


Unlike the last two years where Umphrey's celebrated America's birthday in the beautiful mountains of Colorado they return to the midwest to have a show at Moonlite Gardens with G. Love.  Unlike previous shows this tour Umphrey's will have 2 sets.  The 4th shows are some of my favorite shows.  Last years Red Rocks show was amazing, while the Boulder Theatre was a super fun set.  It's hard to name any highlites because both of the shows were stellar.  


Make a slight return to their home state of Illinois to play a show in the Peoria Park District.  They are playing  CEFCU Center Stage at the Landing.  Not only will G. Love and the Special Sauce make this show one for the books, but Brendan Bayliss' idol and jazz legend Stanley Jordan will be joining them for a sit in as well.  The last time they played with him was 12.30.08.  He lent his unique guitar chops to 40's Theme, Great American, and Bright Lights. This was one of the greatest shows of that new years run with an incredible venue and great special guests. 


Making a slight return to the festival circuit for Harmony in the Park which takes place in Geneva, Minnesota.  This will reunite Umphrey's with friends and fellow musicians the Yonder Mountain String Band.  Here's a great blog post from the band a collaberation featuring Jeff Austin on mandolin for the Triplewide. 


The next night they return to Indiana to play the beautiful Whitelawn aka the Lawn at White River State Park. It's a great venue and the shows there kick ass.  Get there early because it tends to fill up quickly.  Two years ago they played a show that will go down in history.  There was a huge first set with the unreal Hall of Fame 2010 cover of  the Talking Heads, Girlfriend is Better. There is a great version of Hurt Bird Bath as well as the rarity of Muff II: The Revenge.  Get it here. 


I'm sure there will be great jams, unreal vocal stews, some surprises and the occassional joke about how old Joel is, or how about Stasik's rat tail or mustache.  


To be continued.....


The More You Know....
@Knowofmanything


Follow the greatest band in the world...
@umphreysmcgee


For real time setlists and irony,  follow the lighting caresser himself 
@jeffersonwaful


For Umphrey's news, and the creative and business development follow
@Soundcaresser


For all things involving the gold side, Jose Canseco & keyboard wizardry
@goldlikejoel 


For all things involving the rat tails and staches, the "relax I'm hilarious" man who holds down the low end
@ryanstasik


And for "the Catholic Guilt hole! I don't do social media, I just drunk tweet! Good enough?"
@drunkbayliss

my feelings on the Star Wars: Episode I the Phantom Menace Re-Release in 3D

I have never been a fan of dressing up, unless it involved going to a Halloween party.  Recently, though I noticed that Star Wars: Episode I the Phantom Menace - is going to be Re-released in the theatre, but this time in 3D. As if George Lucas didn't learn his lesson the first time.  First of all, the way in which you see the movie is not going to change.  Second of all, anyone who’s said that they liked the movie the first time around is a liar.  Next time you hang out with this person; bring a copy of the movie and watching it with them.  I give that person 30 minutes tops to come clean and say that they were lying. 

It’s still not going to be a decent movie at all.  Due to the acting, directing and horrible script, which brings me to my next point, I would get a bunch of my buddies together and we would dress up as Obi wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, and lastly and certain least Jar Jar Binks and go see “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in protest of the absurdness of The Phantom Menace re-release in 3D.  Most likely someone in the movie sitting in front or behind us will get the usher of the movie to escort the person dressed up as Jar Jar Binks out of the movie theatre for being too annoying. 

  

the More You Know.....

get national Umphreys

Here's a link to the Umph national.  Midday show.  rock on guys!

Tweets of the week (that's right plural, peeps)

Knowofmanything The Knower

I'm not a twitter user, I just experiment with it all the time. #themoreyouknow

Knowofmanything The Knower

people always say I watch too many documentaries, my response is how has this affected you, and don't look at me speak to the camera.

Another show added Wilco @ the Riviera SOLD OUT

it's true peeps another Wilco show has been added, in the glorious city of Chicago.  After the rejection of the I have had 4 times in a row, hopefully this will change things.  Second Wilco Show added.


UPDATE: SOLD OUT IN 5 MINUTES

...the more you know...

Get Well Soon Everybody

Wilco have been through a lot.  Jeff Tweedy's mastermind of the American Rock and Roll band has come to a peak with their new album The Whole Love. Side note:  It was a lot easier to pre order the album, and add some bells and whistles to the order, uber nerd, I know, than to get tickets.  This album was produced by Jeff Tweedy with Patrick Sansone and Tom Schick, so this and the fact that it is their own label they have complete artistic freedom and don't have a time constraints they can make what they want to. It was originally titled 'Get Well Soon Everybody.’

Art of Almost - starts off as a prologue to the masterpiece that The Whole Love is.  The noise, as some many call it, starts off, leaving the listener with no idea where the song is going to go. Some listeners might even think that something is wrong with the recording.   Then the light snyth sound brings in the lyrics.  When the vocals start out the music becomes a mystic psychedelic background of noises inbetween there is a melody wrapped inside.  At first listen you don't really know what to listen to the synth sounds, the guitar, the memorizing beats, or the vocals.  At the 4:40 range there is a jaunt of between the bass and drums effects which is really cool. It is a pulsating grinding noise that ends up sounding like a guitar solo springs out of.  I feel that Nels Cline is working his magic on this solo and knocks it out of the water. The solo hypnotizes yet amuses the listener. 

I Might, which most of you have heard is the first single for this album.  The acoustic guitar is the keeping the tempo, it sounds like something that could have been on b but has a more of a mature feel.  It seems as though this song is about just getting through everyday life, one day at time.  Day dreams of something better than what the person has, he sings about how he wants to set his kids on fire...jokingly of course.  Sunloathe is an acoustic ballad that is run by a bright piano.  It has an eerie feel to it. It seems like the lyrics are about the fight that a couple recently had and they don't want to come to terms that that they are breaking up.  Neither party wants to end the fight so they just end up ending it.

 Next, Dawned On Me is probably the most uplifting song on the album, taking about how the little things in the relationship that he is in. Under a bass feeling undertone, there is a catchy chorus, the true musicianship shows in this song.  It sounds like the music is written in such a way that every instrument has a equal part to be heard in the song.  Though there is a distorted undertone, there's whistling which gives the song the hopefully.   At the end there is oohing that is reminiscent of the Sun King in Abbey Road. Black Moon is one of the slowest songs, beautiful rather similar to Solitare off Wilco (TheAlbum).  It is very acoustic guitar lead with very descriptive lyrics about coming to terms, and waiting, longing for someone.

Born Alone starts off lead by a pretty sweet guitar riff, but basically there is a rhythm section song.  Only after the big verses can you hear the rest of the songs. Again, there are a lot of drums, which sounds great.  People have said that this song is about Jeff Tweedy's former pill addiction, though I think that this is about life.  He explains bad things happen, maybe they have happened to you, and maybe they haven't.  But you were born alone, and yes you will die alone.  It's your life have fun between those times.  You are probably going to meet someone that can change your life. That you should Open Mind is about this situation.  In a very Blonde on Blonde Dylan-equse way Wilco brings up the idea on this meeting of soul mates. "If you would let me be one the one to open up your mind," It's those magical moments that you meet someone, and just knowing that they are still in your life, and they and you took that time out, that chance.  The song is rhythm section driven but the keyboards are guitar do their parts.

Capitol City is done in a jazzy type style, reminiscent of Walken off Sky Blue Sky.  It's comparing country to city, different personalities, and the whole of idea of different strokes for different folks, and long distance hope to see someone that's far away.   
 
Standing O, is pretty hard rocking song like I'm A Wheel One of their songs when music or something that brings you to your feet and really celebrate the idea of this is what life's all about.   Hard rocking solos.  Has a unique which is really nice to hear, and has the fun vibe.  
 
Rising Red Lung- I think of song as an ode to the sunset.  This album is a really fall album.  It seems as though it's tribute to the seasons, describing them as a passionate as a life being born or falling in love that has very powerful lyrics draws in a very off beat Nels Cline guitar solo, to end the song.

Whole Love- Has that same acoustic guitar feel, and it even starts off like a sequel to Pieholden Suite off Summerteeth.  In a Beatles like way Tweedy seems charming and sweet talking his way to his life, a very poppy song.  Finally when the chorus comes on he seems to make all work and how we should never forgot the whole love.

 One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley's Boyfriend) next is a lovely ballad, that makes my hairs stand on end, just writing about it.  It has a catchy riff, that is done throughout the song which clocks in a 12:03, when listening to it seems like half that. The glockenspiel adds a lot to the repeating theme of the song.  "Outside I looked lived in, like bullets in a shrine" is really an incredible line, and the whole song has verses of this caliber.  The song seems like hearing an epic story, and you are just so intrigued by it that you don't what do afterward. The idea of being that things aren't simple and if it were what would be the point of it.

 The Whole Love, the whole album is really quite an emotional roller coaster.  There is not one point where as the listener you are wondering, what could they do next? or did they really do that? It seems that Wilco are getting the respect that they deserve finally. It's a well produced well written album. In that respect it's hard to get tickets to their shows that are masterpieces themselves.  I really applaud these guys for what they are doing with music, and they seem to be right where they want to be.

...the more you know