2009

Hidden Track Review: Umphrey’s McGee S2 – In Which UM Shows Their Hand

DaveO November 25, 2009 7 Comments

Where do these guys get off? It’s not enough that they sold out five of their last eight shows of the tour, but now they start charging $100/head to fucking watch them rehearse? What a bullshit money-grab. But this sentence, that I promised to open with, couldn’t be farther from the truth. What Chicago-based sextet Umphrey’s McGee is accomplishing by throwing these events effectively demonstrates what separates the men from the boys in the world of improvisational music.

Atmosphere of S2

A little background. S² is an hour-long session – this one was closer to 75 minutes – with 50 fans who buy tickets and the members of UM and their crew. There is a giant projection screen visible to both the band and those in the audience and the attendees are encouraged to use their cell phones to text in themed suggestions. The texts arrive on UM sound caresser Kevin Browning’s laptop and he decides what gets put up on the screen for the next section of music. There were four sections of improv – containing between 9-12 themes – with short Q&As between featuring questions from the audience hosted by Lighting Crew Chief Wade Wilby.

More background: we need to look at 2009 as a whole and look at how these events are the perfect culmination of what I equate to the poker term of “showing your hand.” UM has always taken a methodical and precise approach to their music and to a degree their improvisation. The concept of “Jimmy Stewart” was explained in its best detail to date right here on Hidden Track in August of 2008 with help from the band and the band’s street team coordinator Jon McLennand. And in case it was not apparent from the written form, S2 is a variation on “Stew” short for Stewart. They also call these events Stew Art. READ ON for more on S2…

Video: SNL Digital Short – Two Worlds Collide

Jeffrey Greenblatt November 25, 2009 4 Comments

While the first seven episodes of Saturday Night Live’s 35th season have been hit or miss, this past Saturday brought us one of the funnier moments from the iconic comedy

Gov’t Mule Expands Tour Dates

November 25, 2009 No Comments

Gov’t Mule have outlined a second leg of dates behind their most recent studio album, "By a Thread," which surfaced earlier this year. Following its traditional New Year’s appearance at

LCD Soundsystem Scoring Greenberg Soundtrack

November 25, 2009 No Comments

After laying low for most of this year, James Murphy, the brainchild behind LCD Soundsystem, is revving up for a busy 2010. In addition to the impending release of the

It Might Get Loud: by David Guggenheim

Shane Handler November 25, 2009 No Comments

It Might Get Loud is as revealing as a guitar documentary gets, even with the warts and all finale of the three playing a rough version of The Band’s “The Weight.” But that’s what makes the film worthy, it shows three rock stars at their most vulnerable and human – proving once again, the guitar rules over everything else.

New Massive Attack Album Due Feb. 9

November 25, 2009 No Comments

After a nearly seven year stint between albums, legendary trip-hop duo Massive Attack are set to release their highly anticipated fifth studio album Heligoland on EMI’s Virgin Records on February

Garage a Trois – Heavy Hitting With Skerik

Joe Adler November 25, 2009 No Comments

Garage a Trois is a band which at first could be thought of as an all-star band of heavy hitters, but that would be a severe understatement. The band, which started as a trio consisting of saxophonist Skerik, guitar virtuoso Charlie Hunter, and drummer Stanton Moore, later adding vibraphonist Mike Dillon, has grown into a tightly structured, well oiled funk beast. Hunter is no longer part of the group, in that slot is one of the most in demand keyboard players around, Marco Benevento, who permanently joined the group in 2007.

Phish in Philadelphia: Setlist & Recap

Scott Bernstein November 24, 2009 14 Comments

After nine shows at the soon to be demolished Spectrum, Phish stepped up to the newer Wachovia Center tonight for the first of two shows. The band started off strong with a batch of classics and never took their collective feet off the gas. Even Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, one of the few new songs the band played, absolutely smoked. It was one “big gun” Phish song after another for most of the show peaking with a Harry Hood > The Mango Song > Mike’s Song > Simple > Slave to the Traffic Light > Weekapaug Groove segment that just wouldn’t quit.

Phish
November 24, 2009
Wachovia Center
Philadelphia, PA

Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Bathtub Gin, Cities > Camel Walk, The Curtain With, The Wedge, The Moma Dance, Reba, Golgi Apparatus, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan

Set 2: Possum > Down With Disease > 20 Years Later > Harry Hood, The Mango Song > Mike’s Song > Simple > Slave to the Traffic Light > Weekapaug Groove

Encore: A Day In The Life

Phish returns to the Wachovia Center on Wednesday night.

READ ON for a look at past Phish Philadelphia gigs…

Review & Photos: Phish in Cincinnati

Hidden Track Staff November 24, 2009 12 Comments

Words and Images: Tim Hara

Last weekend, Phish made their triumphant return to Cincinnati for the first time in six years. They played the U.S. Arena, a 17,000 person venue located downtown right next to the stadiums where the Reds and the Bengals play. Although the place was packed both nights, fans could find cheap tickets – some even free – in the lot with ease. You could feel the excitement in the air as the crowd funneled through the doors and into the venue to begin what would turn out to be an incredible two-night stand in the Midwest.

DSC_0267web

Phish kicked off the first night with good, but standard versions of Chalk Dust and Moma Dance. The entire building shook as the audience roared during “the pause” in The Divided Sky. After a solid rendition of Alaska, things were slowed down for Fast Enough for You, which was played for only the second time this year. The high point in the set came for Gotta Jibboo > Fluffhead, two crowd-pleasers that closed out the first half. Overall a solid, fun set, but it was obvious that the band was just getting warmed up.

The real magic came in the second set with the Tweezer > Light > Back on the Train > Possum sequence. The quartet jammed patiently and absolutely nailed the transitions in this segment; especially the segue into Possum. After a blissful, standalone Slave to the Traffic Light, the funk dance party started up with a monster You Enjoy Myself that clocked in at over 20 minutes to close what was a perfectly executed set. Phish then treated the crowd to a three-song encore that started with Joy and Golgi Apparatus and concluded with a Tweezer Reprise that ensured the show ended on a high note.

DSC_0205web

READ ON for more of Tim’s thoughts and photos on Phish…

Video: Neil Young Sings Fresh Prince Theme

Scott Bernstein November 24, 2009 1 Comment

Between the viral video-friendly bits, Jonathan Cohen’s ingenious musical guest bookings, bringing The Roots on as the house band and Fallon’s relaxed interview style; NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

View posts by year

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter