Two of my worlds collided last night when Phish unveiled a cover of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover last night at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, CA.
A common thread that can be drawn from any JBT show is the universal connection between the John Butler Trio as a group of musicians and the audience who equally share a passion for the music that is present. What John Butler brings to every performance is a sacred offering that is unique to the crowd and the energy of that special moment, and Live At Red Rocks is a direct snapshot of that point in time.
here is a constant dynamism at work on Otherwise Law Abiding Citizens. The band will circle back inside a drum break and build up yet again, deconstructing a jam just to hit you harder when the kick drum dive bombs into your chest. As a whole, this body of songs shines with impeccable, dynamic and grounded production, all accomplished at a full-throttle pace. If you’ve ever felt a Biscuit peak hit and responded by thrusting your fist victoriously in the air, this album is for you.
Gregg Allman has cancelled all of his tour dates through September 14th. Allman –who received a successful liver transplant in 2010 – also yanked some dates on his European tour
Portugal. The Man unfortunately got their van, trailer and gear stolen while at Lollapalooza this weekend. This is literally the band’s livelihood so if anyone has any information or if
Looks like come this October, we will be enjoying some new fuzzed out power-pop tunes from Florida’s Surfer Blood. Tarot Classics will be Blood’s follow-up to 2010’s Astro Coast and
The Flaming Lips is the latest band to have their stage collapse on them. The band was slotted to play Tulsa’s Brady Block Party on Sunday when hard rain and
Formed in the heat of West Texas around 1996, Los Lonely Boys have something that a lot of bands don’t. And I’m not talking about that Grammy award for their catchy inspirational song “Heaven”. What they have is a strong sense of family values, love and respect, and a pureness of heart for the music they create.
Back in 2009 our staff put together a list of 10 Venues Phish Should Play (that they’ve never played at before) and number one on our list was the historic Hollywood Bowl. Tonight, Phish finally made their Hollywood Bowl debut as the second leg of Summer Tour 2011 continues.
For Phish’s first show at the Bowl they leaned on heavy-rotation staples throughout the night. The exception came in the middle of a fierce Weekapaug Groove during the second set, when drummer Jon Fishman made his way towards center stage where a mini-kit was set up. Fish led the band through a debut cover of Paul Simon’s 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover in which he simulated Steve Gadd’s signature drum part while singing the tune. The jam of the night came out of Piper and explored a number of different spaces quickly before melting into Mike’s Song.
READ ON for the setlist and The Skinny from Hollywood…
Words and Photos: Jason Gershuny
Phish kicked off the second leg of their 2011 summer tour at the picturesque Gorge Amphitheatre, which served as the backdrop to two terrific shows, each with their own share of highlights. This was Phish’s 6th trip to the Gorge in the last 14 years, and I for one have to say that there are few other places that I would rather see this band.
For those who have never been, imagine camping in a sprawling high desert landscape with a visible horizon for miles around. Thousands of travelers from all over the country create their own colorful worlds with whatever materials they happened to bring with them. Friends congregate to create sprawling tapestry villages to get out of the heat. During the day, the sun is merciless and shade is at a premium. But the incredible payoff lies in the beauty of the amphitheater itself.
As you finally find your way out of your makeshift shade structure to head to see the music, you get your ticket scanned and you are faced with a relatively steep hillside that blocks your view. In cresting the pinnacle of that hill, the world opens up before your eyes to an expansive view that covers miles and miles of the wandering deep blue Columbia River carving elegantly through the rock of the Gorge. All this is before your eyes with the stage in the foreground of your view.
- Previously on HT: The Skinny – Night One, The Skinny – Night Two
READ ON for more of Jason’s thoughts and photos from The Gorge…
