by David Burn | Apr 21, 2002 | Music
Gov’t Mule
Four Twenty with the Mule! That’s pretty much what it’s all about, which is why I drove 5.5 hours NE to Minneapolis for Mule’s show at the historic State Theatre on Hennepin. The band featured a new ineup, with two members of Black Crowes–Audley Freed on guitar and Andy Hess on bass. Also on bass in the second set was former Metallica member Jason Newsted–hence the nomikers, “Muletallica” and “Black Mule.” Both nights (4/21 in Madison, WI) took off when Jason came on stage. He brought energy and power and it felt very much like the Mule when he was out there. Although, his head was bangin’ a bit much for my tatstes. But cosmetic defaults (if I can be so bold to call it that) can be overlooked, if not overcome. With Jason up there Mule kicked the shit out “Sweet Leaf,” “War Pigs,” and on Sunday in Madison, “Dazed and Confused,” by Led Zep for only the 3rd time ever (first post-Woody).
by David Burn | Apr 17, 2002 | Music
Galactic
Richard Vogel, Galactic’s keyboard impresario and Omaha native, brought his boys back to the Ranch Bowl for the group’s second show (ever) in town. For some odd reason there were only about 200 people in attendance on this Wednesday night. A nice change of pace for the almost always over capacity Ranch Bowl. So we had lot’s of freaking space and Lord was it ever needed. Galactic moves asses wherever they go.
by David Burn | Apr 10, 2002 | Music
String Cheese Incident
I really needed this show as a transition back to Homey-Ha after five blissful days in Colorful Colorado with Phil, Warren, and all the rest of our Phriends. As I entered the Omaha Music Hall two cops greeted me at the door and one went right for my pockets. Other than that, the show was pretty ideal. The General Admission policy allowed me to wander up front for a nice spot, and the Boyz came out prepared to deliver. Billy gaped at the orchestra pit between them and us and being the man he is, wondered aloud if this would be an impediment to our fun. The answer was NO! The musical peak came at the end of the show (for me at least), with “Hobo Song” by Peter Rowan.
by David Burn | Apr 8, 2002 | Music
Phil Lesh + Phriends
I turned 37 on April 4th and Phil treated me to a deep space show in Denver’s Phil-More Auditorium. The first set featured “Sittin on Top of the World” and the second set included guitar hero Derek Trucks in the mix. After the show, I got to see Warren and he told me his birthday is 4/6/60. We also talked about how Muddy Waters was born on my birthday in 1915. The next night was rockin’ and featured a killer Help>Slip>Frank to close the second set. Phil then returned the favor to young Derek by showing up at the tiny Bluebird Theatre, four miles down Colfax Avenue. After watching from the wings for awhile, Phil shared the stage with Derek, his band, and Leftover Salmon keyboard player Bill McKay for a rousing rendition of “Lovelight.” The weekend brought two more shows up in Vail and I certainly had no arguement with that. Saturday’s show had many awesome moments but I appreciated the “Casey Jones,” especially given the setting. Vail kids love the bumps! Sunday was perhaps the best night of the four as far as the band’s delivery of the selected material. “Till the Morning Comes” is right now still ringing in my ears and it’s 48 hours later.
by David Burn | Mar 24, 2002 | Music
The Big Wu
The Twin City’s most beloved jamband came into town with Vermont’s Strangefolk opening for this Saturday night at The Music Box. Wu got things rolling with their anthem “Minnesota Moon.” I’m pretty new to the Wu, but I can see where their copious charms lie. Catchy tunes with solid playing to bring them to life. Notably from a bass player that reminds me a lot of the late Bobby Sheehan and from the keyboard player who also plays a pedal steel guitar. While it’s somewhat unfair to draw comparisons–given that Ratdog came to town the next night–it’s also somewhat unavoidable. Wu, the “new jack hippie band” is putting out a sound I find much more vital and refreshing.
by David Burn | Mar 14, 2002 | Music
Yonder Mountain String Band
The Yonder boys opened up spring tour 2002 at the venerable Hoyt Sherman in Des Moines. Good choice! Darol Anger played the entire show as a guest artist on fiddle. Another good choice! These acoustic newcomers to Colorado’s high country music scene delivered their pure sounding “old time bluegrass” to a highly spirited crowd of Iowans– doing plenty of dancing, despite there being no drummer anywhere near the stage. The highlight of the show for me personally was the Ruben & Cherise encore (with no microphones). That alone was worth the drive.
by David Burn | Mar 10, 2002 | Music
Larry
Funny name for a band, but there’s nothing funny about how good these guys sound together. Although, they hail from Austin, Texas–the self-proclaimed “live music capitol of the world”–half the time they sound like they come from the Louisiana swamp, not the Lone Star state. I reckon the two states do mingle (and share a border). Anyway, we had a shitty turnout on this night of intense wind and sleet. Never the less, Larry put on a show that was part jazz, part blues, a bit of southern rock, some zydeco (thanks to Jeff on washboard), and a touch of Old Mexico tossed in for spice. Night two, the roads were dry buy the music stayed slippery.
by David Burn | Feb 26, 2002 | Music
Chris Duarte Group
Finally, this brother (me) made it to Lincoln’s legendary room for daBlues. The Zoo Bar hosted Austin’s Chris Duarte Group on this Monday in Feb. My friend, Scott Dobry, a professional photographer who has made a great portrait of Chris, got us in on the guest list for this show (always nice). The Zoo Bar is a tight little package for daBlues, but we managed to squeeze through the crowd in order to enjoy the show from “back stage.” The view we had is the drummer’s view every night. CDG had John Jordan back on his signature 7 string bass for this tour and the Blues faithful in attendance ate up everything this power trio had to offer.
by David Burn | Feb 21, 2002 | Music
Merl Saunders
Merl Saunders, the funky soul brother from San Francisco, and close personal friend of the late Jerry Garcia came to town for two nights with Atlanta’s King Johnson Band backing. The prospect of a Merl show in quaint Mile Away Hall had the pre-show crowd buzzing with anticipation. And Merl and band delivered the goods. Two solid sets of cover songs and originals that left the ladies and gents in attendance quaking in their boots. I did not attend the second night, so someone please send in a report (esp. if you have the set lists).
Photo by Scott Dobry
by David Burn | Feb 17, 2002 | Music
Dr. Didg
Dr. Didg–led by Dr. Graham Wiggins (who holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Oxford)–journeyed (oddly enough) all the way to Paddy O’Quigley’s, a west Omaha bar not exactly known for experimental “house.” According to Bill, the promoter, the phine Doctor was suffering from a migraine. Nonetheless, he and his trio on bass, drums and guitar braced themselves for this potential dud of a show…but no, the crowd, despite the “odd room for dancing” did dance. And the band did sing.
