Plenty of Umph

Umphrey's McGee rocked the Rams Head last night. For a band that I've felt can sometimes slow down a little too much and risk losing the audience, they kept the energy up throughout the whole show. They were extremely sharp, and stayed perfectly in sync with each other while the music bounced around all over the place. Kenny from The Bridge came out and beat-boxed for a little in the middle of the second set, with Jake joining in as well, which to my knowledge isn't something often seen at an Umprey's show.

I stood right behind the sound booth and had a great view of the stage. I also had the opportunity to notice a few things about the band's sound setup:

1. They have their own digital soundboard, meaning most of the controls are on two side-by-side wide-ass computer screens. I don't know much about audio stuff, but this just looked really cool. Umphrey's obviously takes technology very seriously.
2. The guy running this board was constantly making adjustments to all sorts of controls, all without any cues from the band. Again, I have no idea what he was actually doing, but it seemed like he managed the sound extremely well.

Consequently, the band sounded fantastic. Everything was crysal clear, as it should be when a band that's serious about performing plays at a top notch venue like Rams Head.

An official artist lineup announcement for the All Good Music Festival should be forthcoming February 28th. Some guy was talking about it during setbreak and said the following are some of the bands expected to be on that lineup:

The Black Crowes
Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Benevento/Russo Duo w/ Mike Gordon
Umphrey's McGee
The Bridge
and a few other high profile acts I don't remember.

Looks like All Good is kicking it up a notch. BAM!

Show night!

The Bridge and Umphrey's McGee play the Rams Head Live tonight!

Who's comin with me?

OAR shows

I met this guy Mike last night who's a taper. He said he mostly tapes OAR, and he's got a few recent shows on his website, in addition to some interesting pictures of his gear (although I know nothing about that stuff).

For more info on how to listen to the SHN files, click here or email me.

Oysterhead at Bonnaroo- VERY EXCITED!

and check out this review of a recent Tea Leaf Green Show on Live Music Blog

Feinwood!

Last night a friend invited me to see an acoustic set of a bluegrass/jam band called Feinwood at the Full Moon Saloon in Fells Point. Besides the 3-member band (apparently there are usually only 2, however), there were at most 6 other people, including me and my friend, in the bar for the hour and a half that we were there. Between songs, the most silent bar I have ever been in. Nonetheless, I was extremely impressed.

The band consists of, and takes it's name from, Eddie Feinstein and Jon Wood (get it?) , two very talented guitar players. Last night they were also joined by Scott Ackerman, an impressive mandolin player.

They played mostly Grateful Dead and Phish covers, an original or two, and threw in The Beatles' Come Together. The sound created by the three string instruments tackling different aspects of each song was truly magical. Jon Wood's voice and jamming topped it all off. The amount of talent really blew me away. I now want to start listening to bluegrass.

I was told that the band usually attracts a larger crowd, and I plan on being one of those fans at future shows.

Great stuff!

One of my favorite new bands, Tea Leaf Green will be returning to the Eight by Ten Club on Sunday, March 12! I am stoked!!!

I saw them there this past fall and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen- I danced my ass off! I can't wait.

Also, the Benevento/Russo Duo will play the Recher on Friday, March 3rd. Can't wait for that either.