Amidst the second song of the sold out club performance between Vida Blue and the Spam Allstars, the crowded stage lept into the Spanish flavored “Ochimini,” as the band teased elements of Rob Base & DJ Ez Rock’s 1988 guilty pleasure, “It Takes Two.” Saxophonist AJ Hill tossed around lyrical rhymes about DJ Le Spam “making it out of site.” Which, despite the immediate silliness of it all, couldn’t have been a more accurate depiction of the twin pairing between Vida Blue and the Spam Allstars.
Vida Blue – side project of Phish keyboardist Page McConnell, Meters’ drummer Russell Batiste and bass extraordinaire Oteil Burbridge – continues to forge ahead, despite a somewhat impassive response to its seven song, self-titled debut. At the time of release, their live shows became a passable treat for diehard Phish fans looking to catch a glimpse of any signs of Phish life, not to mention the “chairman of the boards” stepping into a lead role. Adding an interesting repertoire of covers to their first few tours, the band nailed some universal nuggets by Led Zeppelin, Little Feat, Elton John, Pink Floyd, and John Lennon. However, despite his prowess on the ivories and a voice that hits a sweet spot with listeners, McConnell never seemed that comfortable steering his side project, speculating it just might take two. Enter the Spam Allstars.
With origins stemming from a recent visit by McConnell to Miami, Vida Blue and the Spam Allstars quickly developed a working relationship, which in turn culminated with a new collaborative album, The Illustrated Band, and a subsequent short winter tour. The seven-strong Spam Allstars encompass both a physically and musically diverse set of musicians – intertwining jazz, hip-hop, Cuban, club and tinges of metal into their sound. Putting them all to use immediately, a full-colored jam flowed out of the opener, “Most Events Aren’t Planned.” Following its mellow lyrical verses from McConnell, a textured guitar solo by Adam Zimmon of the Spam Allstars followed. “Ochimini” ventured generously with programmed keys, and McConnell standing in DJ mode, building to crescendo as DJ Le Spam, playing stage left behind McConnell, found equal groove singing to himself aloud. Though the keyboards were eventually drowned out in the wall of sound, the band never failed to pick up the slack.
s was the case with “Ochimini,” and its playful nod to Rob Base, many songs began with a wise-cracking verbal sample by DJ Le Spam, none failing to get a smile out of McConnell. The Meters’ “Just Kissed My Baby” gave Baptiste an outlet to bring out the spirit of New Orleans behind his hidden drum set along with the two Spam percussionists who grabbed a more accessible part of the spotlight. “Who’s Laughing Now,” the soggy Vida Blue original brought the momentum to a temporary halt, but not before the up tempo dance grooves of “CJ3” got things rolling yet again. “Russell’s Tune” showcased an Oteil Burbridge improvisational vocal solo which accompanied his bass licks, bringing an improv -freshness to the stage.
With no opening act this particular night – the Jazz Mandolin Project opened the first six shows – Vida Blue would perform their first, two set show ever. The second set opening with a funky original instrumental version of Gary Neuman’s “Cars” that had McConnell utilizing his keyboard arsenal to full abandon. “Little Miami” allowed both bands to become full on jammy juggernauts as things got a bit carried away in the heat of the moment. A cover of Radiohead’s “Subterranean Homesick Alien” brought about a barrage of covers, as they later combusted with Lennon’s “Instant Karma” and a horn friendly version of Phish’s “Cars Trucks and Buses.”
The encore of the Phish fave, “Strange Design,” got everyone feeling touchy-feely as the females crawled their way toward the sly crooner. “Magilla” erupted in full Latin celebration and utilized the Allstars in every which way. But it was the cover of “No Quarter,” with horns replacing Jimmy Page’s potent guitar lines, that showed Vida Blue and the Spam Allstars can tackle almost anything with confidence and allure- truly proving “it takes two” to bring out the best in both bands.
Setlist
Set 1
Most Events Aren’t’Planned, Ochimini, Just Kissed My Baby, Who’s Laughing Now, CJ3, Russell’s Tune
Set II:
Cars, Little Miami (Reputation), Get Ready, Where’s Popeyes, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Perfume de Heliotropo, Final Flight, Instant Karma, Cars Trucks Buses
Encore:
Strange Design, Magilla > No Quarter
