Grousing The Aisles: Peak-a-boo

Alice In Chains 12/20/92 SBD (FLAC)

While Nirvana and Pearl Jam get most of the attention for starting the grunge scene in Seattle, my favorite band from that era is Alice In Chains. AIC was all over the map, switching from rockers like Man In A Box to the more mellow I Stay Away; in either case, all of their best songs are not only catchy but have great lyrics as well.

The show featured today is taken from the band’s heyday in 1992, when the band returned home to play a holiday concert at the Seattle Arena. The setlist reads like a list of the band’s greatest hits, stomping through amazing versions of the aforementioned Man In A Box, Dirt, and Them Bones. My favorite part of the show is the way the late Layne Staley delivers the lyrics to the encore, Rooster. Too bad Staley couldn’t stay off the junk — let that be a lesson, folks.

Jane’s Addiction 10/11/90 SBD (FLAC)

I’ll never forget the first time I heard Ritual de lo Habitual. My sister threw on the album and the pounding beat of Stop! got my attention quickly. In 1990 Jane’s Addiction toured to support Ritual playing the best shows of their career.

Luckily for us some sketchy Italian bootlegger obtained a soundboard copy of this show from Milan. Highlights include an epic Mountain Song, a fun Been Caught Stealin’, and an absolutely soaring version of Idiot’s Rule. Porno For Pyros is cool and all, but imagine if Jane’s had stayed together for another few years?

Keller Williams 12/26/06 SBD (FLAC, MP3, STREAM)

Warren Haynes isn’t the only artist who returns to his hometown for a holiday benefit concert every year. Multi-instrumentalist Keller Williams has played six post-Christmas benefits in his hometown of Fredricksburg, Virginia to benefit the local SPCA. This soundboard recording from December’s benefit shows the range and versatility of K-Dub. Keller could be the first jamband artist to take a stab at a Smiths cover with his unique version of There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.

But The Smiths weren’t the only artist Williams covered, as he also played For What It’s Worth, Stayin’ Alive, and Scarlet Begonias, even going so far as to play a solo piano rendition of Stella Blue. While Keller keeps it interesting with the covers, his originals get better with age. Keller played a few songs off his album Dream, which is slated for a February 6th release, and some old songs, including a terrific mash-up of Freeker By The Speaker and Cameo’s Word Up. From the day Bill Nershi made his announcement that he would be leaving SCI Keller’s name has been popping up in replacement discussions. After listening to this show, I really hope he cuts the Cheese and continues his solo career.

Jerry Garcia Band 3/19/78 SBD (FLAC)

Jerry Garcia played with many different formations of the Jerry Garcia Band. My favorite is the late ’70s edition featuring John Kahn on bass, Keith Godchaux on piano, Buzz Buchanan on drums, as well as Maria Muldaur and Donna Godchaux on backing vocals. Check out this kickass show from Pittsburgh’s Stanley Theater for an example of what that band was capable of.

Highlights include a cover of Paul McCartney’s Let Me Roll It, a beautiful Mission In The Rain, and a heart-wrenching The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down. While I’m not the biggest fan of Donna’s off-key wailing during many Dead shows, her voice is nearly perfect, which benefits the songs in a big way.

Allright, folks, what you got for me? Many thanks to Hidden Track reader O_Crunk for uploading some great shows for us last week.