While walking into Red Rocks, you feel quite overwhelmed. Just by looking at the venue you will know that the show that you are going to see will be just if not more overwhelming than its surroundings.
My favorite band was playing there. They are a little band from the Midwest called Umphrey's McGee. You might have heard about these 6 guys, because not only are they accomplished musicians, team players as well as great entertainers. There was also more of a reason to go because of a 4 piece English funk bands the New Mastersounds. If you haven't seen or heard of them before you are missing out.
I got to the venue early because I really wanted to see the New Mastersounds. I am pretty sure they played from 7:30-8:30. The drummer Simon wasn't sure if the crowd that go to their seats early didn't know their music. So, he said "For all you people out there who aren't familiar with our music...well...we're U2..." Then they went into a super funky jam. The next song is probably the song that most people have at least heard of 'Carrot Juice.' More and more people piling into the venue as the next couple songs came on. Carrot Juice got the people that were scoping the Rocks or tapping the Rockies down to see then music.
Wasn't a fan of the Easy Star all stars so I am not going to review them. I was sitting down while other people liked the reggae versions of common rock songs. Songs like Breathe/ Speak to Me, Karma Police & No Surprises….Not a fan.
Finally, after a few Fat Tires meeting new peeps & reuniting with peeps from other shows. It seemed like everyone was getting the itch. You know that progressive rock itch. So, the blue lights covered the Rocks. A sound creeps out of the PA. It sounded like something from another sequel. The rocks were covered in purple & blue, simultaneously the crowd stood up in awe. It ended up being the Umbowl 2 intro and was. Finally, I have only been waiting 365 days for this. Suddenly a Jazz Oddesy jam turns into a Bridgeless!
As the single guitar chords are strumming on Bridgeless the crowd erupts. It was no longer the crowds’ time, it was the bands time. Umphreys has already captured the audience. As everyone was looking around very excited the song continued. The random 'Fuck Yea' & Rock Show hand signal signs were covering the audience.
Bridgless was flawless, though it was only the first half. It soon made a seamless segue into Professor Wormbug, it was a throwback version. They busted out the A Capella part from the song "Motown Philly," which they haven't down in years, short but funky Wormbug.
Next they play a pretty new song, "Puppet String." The song out with harmonics done by Jake Cinniger, while the drums are overlooking the guitars harmonics and then over top there's a slap bass line locked in well over the harmonics. The song builds from several different parts, finally when the chorus hits it seems as though the band's energy overwhelms the audience. By the time the second chorus hits and then Kris and Brendan start to sing "These puppets strings don't pull themselves..." They pretty much have all the audience members by the strings. The crowd is lighting up with excitement.
Next up is the crowd pleaser Hurt Bird Bath. There was a feeling on hesitation before they started. It was the normal feedback. Then it hit the synchronized guitar riffs. The crowd was hollering. That moment everyone was going nuts, having a great time! As the song continued the lights and the feeling in the audience was remarkable. With the hopeful lyrics intertwined with the great riffs. After they start their first section of improv in a multi layered song, this particular song gives the band lots of room to do what they want. The jam sounds like the jam is being lead by Ryan Stasik, the bass player, into a funky, almost 70's disco funk, mixed with some psychedelic flare. It seems like they are searching for a groove to get into. Jake takes the reins of this jam back into the theme of the song. In this song there are various levels, so they are only on the second level, about 1/2 of the crowd is wooing at the breaks, while the other aren't. We are on to the second level of improv. It's sounds like the Bee Gee's battling Black Sabbath for the stage. Stasik keeps in flowing with a very funky bass line while the rhythm section is totally speeding up the tempo; it turns into what some of us say in the business as a rager. Jefferson Walful is throwing out most, not all, his moves on this song. In its 11 minutes this jam is hitting all types of different genres without any shame. Suddenly, Jake slows it down to a peak, and then it takes the band to the highest level of the song. Moog synth overlaying the guitar riffs then suddenly the band gets the audience to a peak of amazement, bewilderment and excitement as the song comes to a head.
Like most show goers, after a jam like that you need to stretch, drink a beer, or pick your face off the ground. ‘Deeper’ is dedicated to a couple that just got married. Now they are at the show, awesomeness and congrats. ‘Deeper’ gets the ladies moving, well, the ones I was around. The funky chant, with the mind bending lights had the audience in awe.
Plunger hits you like a ton of bricks. No hesitation about going straight into this tune. The lights were on the opening riff and basically the theme of the song there were reds, whites and blues covering the rocks. The song comes to a break down before the castanets come into the play. Then that all too familiar bassline that was once went by the name of Pop tart gets everyone going. I was freaking out. No Comment, it brought the funk back. It seemed that less than half the audience didn't know what hit them, while the other half, and was in "11:42 all day, all day."
A little bit of a jam and or confusion then regroup then its back to Plunger. "And maybe when you find it all again and you will..." Bayliss sings. It's ironic, because they found there 3 or 4 of July home here at Red Rocks. Everyone around was just so amazed by this feeling that was going around. After the crowd is in awe and doesn't want to move from there benchs Bayliss doesn't want the feeling to end. "Red Rocks don't go changing on us…” he says and then the band walks off stage.
Second set, started off with a little instrumental called "Nipple trix." This is my first Nipple Trix, I didn't think they'd play it, so I kept saying it before the show hoping that they would. As the lights go down, I hear this instrumental that has some kind of morbid guitar surrounded by a lot of perc, and light on the piano. Suddenly the band comes on stage and plays with the recording or themselves, depending on which way you look at it. The heavy distortion comes into play, Jake starts to take control. Suddenly going back to the theme, and duel guitar riffs the songs peak happens.
And lightly Umphrey's lays the crowd down with the song Divisions, as soon as the opening riff started. When the lyrics "...swallow you would remain, remain", after hearing these lyrics they break the song down once again. Conga solo by Andy Farag, with Kris Myers on the tom toms. Jake has some sort of tease that he does in a number of songs this show. Looking around in the audience people are on the verge of tears. The dual riff part starts, Jake starts soloing again.
Bayliss does his first solo, there is a moment on just looking at the masterpiece in which Jeff has created with the landscape and the music is just the soundtrack to it. Now the jam is getting spacey. Suddenly the main theme riff sneaks, Bayliss breaks into a solo, finally starts singing to wrap up the song, with a little echo on the voice. You can hear it through the recording a little bit, but it was more of a site to see.
Next up is a nice dedication to the New Mastersounds. The song "Forks" is up. It is a very passionate Jake song. It seems like most of the people in the audience didn't know what to expect, but like true Umphrey’s form they took the risk. At the end of the song, the people that haven’t heard it before got interested. Speaking of risks, they bring up the trumpet player & sax player from Easy Star to help with the cover of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer.’ It was a little rocky. Song with Sexual innuendos, right up Umphreys alley, and then of course Bayliss altering some lyrics. Good job for just one rehearsal.
Red Tape was played because that's the color of the venue, the jam pretty much was taken to another planet, Mars in the case. As they make it through the song, each section builds up more. Jake takes his first solo, it’s pretty laid back. The chorus hits, the two guitars are competing in a psychedelic trade off. Finally the bass comes in lying down in which direction the jam should go. The jam goes into a soaring level, drum rolls, wind chimes, happy funk or just a regular soaring fun multi-leveled jam, that leaves a good feeling in your soul that makes you happy you traveled the distance to see the band. This was probably the most hard core jam or the night.
Day Nurse, is up next it's dedicated to Keegan. It's a friend of the band of Bayliss. Starting off with the Rhodes and guitars, once the bass hits the entire Red Rocks turns into a giant club. The song is a reminder of Return to Forever, if they were hip. The lights were circling around the members, nonstop head bobbing from all around. Smiles were ear to ear on the listeners faces. Saying that audience members were having a great time is an understatement.
Like being hit by another wave of emotion, Hajimemashite hits. Bayliss' voice is on tonight. Haji is one of their oldest songs, though they played it last year here. This version is so much better. "I didn't know...things were supposed to be this way" rings true because they are now headlining and doing 2 sets is a dream in which most jam bands wish to do. Jake is playing an unreal solo. Then they end the song. The crowd is an emotional wreck, in a positive way, and doesn't know what is in store.
After about 10 minutes of waiting Umphrey's reveals themselves. The people I was sitting next to were asking me what this song was. I couldn't believe it. My first time seeing Umphrey's covering Pearl Jam. They were doing the song Release. Bayliss' voice sounded like he was getting chocked up. He was in with the audience. I do believe that his Dad in the audience. He still couldn't believe that he was in Red Rocks playing to a huge crowd. It's easy to tell that this was his show, on the verge of tears he continued through.
Boom! Back into Bridgeless! The opening notes to finish the second half of the song. Listening to it now, I can't believe how wonderful of a show it is. "The meaning interpret it's hard to hear" though it seems like everyone in listening to what they have to say now. As the last 2 minutes of the song approach and the synchronized solos come into play. There was a giant bubble all around; everyone was in being taken for a ride. If you ever get the chance to see a band at Red Rocks, make it Umphrey's McGee.
The more you know...
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