April 2024 Recap

Including the first and second of several epic out of state journeys for music.

4.3 Burning Blue Rain @ Green Room

I enjoyed the previous Wednesday night with this young blues band and decided to go back for more!

Sweet Lou with the Flying V:

Other acts playing this evening were the BZ3 Organ trio (featuring some cool organ work from Brian Ziemniak on Hammond B3, the amazing David Feily on guitar and Kevin Washington on drums!) The band plays the last Wednesday of every month at Schooner Tavern at Lake and Minnehaha.

and Ski Club, featuring one of Dylan Salfar’s drummers, Matthew.

4.3 Dylan Salfar Band @ Bunker’s

It was a Wednesday night, after all.

4.4 Jose James @ Electric Fetus

The singer/songwriter was at the beloved South Minneapolis record store for an in-store performance, promoting his new record ‘1978’. He spoke to the audience about getting into jazz through hip hop at the Fetus as he was growing up in the area, and did a few songs from the new album while doing some cool percussive looping. He also mentioned how he knocked on doors for Paul Wellstone (righteous!) and recently collaborated with a Brazilian Latino Grammy winner. He cited as major influences Herbie Hancock, Donna Summer, and Stevie Wonder when answering the self directed question ‘why do you care about this era (late seventies) of big hair and cocaine and bell bottoms?’

Jose James has a cool voice and soulful retro vibe, and as I spoke with him briefly and got his autograph after his performance, I mentioned how I somewhat regularly see his father Jose James Sr. play saxophone Wednesdays with the Dylan Salfar Band.

Below photos by Shane W, thanks!

4.4 WE Collective @ Gluek’s

featuring Will E, Scott Yonke, Jon Ross, Javier Trejo, and Miles (who recently moved here from Memphis) on sax!

4.6 Chris Stapleton @ US Bank Stadium

The Vikings stadium has the worst sound in town, hands down. I absolutely cringe when a show I want to see will be in this not-made-for-music football stadium, but sometimes it is unavoidable. That was the case with Chris Stapleton, longtime hit songwriter turned hit song performer with one of the best voices in country music. I’ve always wanted to see him, so I readied my earplugs and bit the bullet. Lainey Wilson played a great set before Stapleton that of course included her big hit ‘Heart Like A Truck’. Marcus King played first but I intentionally skipped his set for political reasons.

Stapleton’s set was awesome, with songs from all of his records and of course his version of Tennessee Whiskey, originally sang by David Allen Coe.

Here’s a brief, bad clip of that song:

one more clip to show how colorful the stage lights were and how loud the chompers were:

4.10 Burning Blue Rain @ Green Room

Back for a third Wednesday in a row! This evening had Kashimana open the show, as well as singer and pianist Cornbread Harris, who at 96 years old has been a staple in live Minneapolis music for generations. He’s also Jimmy Jam’s father.

Kashimana:

Cornbread Harris:

Burning Blue Rain:

4.11 Demitri and Friends @ Gluek’s

Featuring all-stars Brian ‘Snowman’ Powers on sax, Nicolas David ‘The Feelin’’ Mrozinski on keys, Chad Whitaker on bass, and Terry VanDewalker of the Big Wu on drums!

Fabulous setlist that included:

Get Outta My Life Woman TV

Mr Charlie ND

I Walk On Guilded Splinters DR

Big River TV

Simple Twist of Fate DR

Don't Mess With Big Jim ND

II

Boogie On Reggae Woman DR

That's What Love Will Make You Do DR

Eyes of the World TV >

What's Going On ND>

Sand DR >

Fly Like An Eagle DR>

West LA Fadeaway DR

Sitting In Limbo DR

Staples Singers song ND

Althea TV

Sisters and Brothers TV>

Lay Down Sally DR

Helpless DR

Deal DR

Snowman wailing on ‘Deal’

4.12 Twine and Brotherhood of Birds @ Day Block Brewing

And just for fun here’s a shot of Anthony Edwards from the winning Wolves game earlier that evening:

4.13 Umphrey’s McGee @ First Ave

“Umphs” as they’re know have been around a long time. I recall seeing them once or twice a couple decades ago at the annual Big Wu Family Reunion, also at the first Bonnaroo, and many other times including at the Palace Theatre in 2017 and or 2018. Recently though they have returned to the Main Room where they’ve now played at least a dozen shows, for multiple night stands. I always think of math when I see these guys. They are so precise and…mathy. They always lock into some stupefying jams and their lights are top notch.

4.14 Shotgun Ragtime Band @ Driftwood

SRB Grateful Sunday #669 saw Jason Fladager sit in as part of the celebration for his wife Kristi!

Ramble On Rose

Black Throated Wind

Cassidy

Hey Pocky Way

Lost Sailor

HBD K Flad

Lovelight

Eyes

Drums

Space

Cones A Time

Might As Well

HBD Faith

US Blues

4.18 Phish @ Sphere

It was perhaps the most anticipated moment in rock and roll history, with Phish playing their first show at the nearly brand new Las Vegas Sphere. At least for me it was.

As sure as the cosmos aligned 4.8.24 resulting in a spectacular solar eclipse, my dear friend Becky acted as agent of the outer universe to provide me the hottest ticket of the 21st century here on earth on our very unique human time scale.

A few initial thoughts on Phish Night One at Sphere:

It was probably the best thing I've ever seen and was absolutely epic and historic! The highest of expectations were exceeded. The pinnacle of musical achievement has been reached. I can safely retire from seeing live music (until The Stones in a couple weeks, or maybe tonight or tomorrow night) - as nothing will ever top that. Further hyperbole and exaggeration and will surely follow, but for now it's sufficient to say that those of us fortunate enough to be there were treated to something really magical last night. The sound was perfect, the visual spectacles were out of this world, and the band was having the time of their lives. Really grateful to the universe and Becky and Paul Cavanaugh for including me in this phenomenal Sphere premiere event, and super glad I got to be there with another dear friend from high school, Ben Sweet, as well, who joined me on a different monumental Phish journey, to Big Cypress, more than 24 years ago. So awesome to run into many of the Minneapolis folks too, like the Voelkers, the Hoffmans, the Supples, the Pferches, and the Anderson! I was happy to be taking in the Vegas weekend with my MPLS crew Sara and Dean and Bob from San Francisco!

Phish's opening night at Sphere, the only one I attended, was a surreal experience. With the benefit of hindsight, I can confirm that it was among the coolest things I've ever seen. Ever - inside or outside of doors, and inside or outside of music.

I've seen a few shows at Red Rocks as well as The Gorge. They're my two favorite outdoor venues, each boasting an incredible view of the expansive surroundings of the two natural amphitheaters. I've seen Phish at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. I’ve been to Madison Square Garden precisely 7 times, (5 for The Phish from Vermont). I've never seen anything like Phish at Sphere, in fact pretty much no one had.

I'm happy to see them play anywhere I can, whether it's our modest Target Center down the street where I first saw them in 1996, or Xcel Energy Center across the river, the last place they played in Minnesota, in 2016. Nevada was the 16th state I’ve seen my favorite band play in, and I’m looking forward to 6 more shows this year, 3 at Alpine Valley and 3 in Delaware at Phish’s 10th festival (no other bands play their festivals). The venue isn't all that important to me, but I’m happy to see them in new places for different experiences.

Sphere is a completely unique and amazing venue. There are 18,600 seats and each has a slightly different vantage point for the stage and the thousands of LED lights that make up the interior of building. The sound is just pristine and I can't wait to hear it again (Who's got my extra for Slow and Co?). The bass in particular sounded crisp and could be felt right in the seats due to the crazy haptics technology.

I found the visuals dancing across the interior of the room to be captivating from start to finish. Sitting was the only way to truly take in the spectacle, so I’d guess I sat for most of the show. I already know what the band looks like so it seemed prudent to keep as open a perspective as possible. Standing would simply not allow for the whole spectacle to be visually taken in from row 17 of section 408.

The ‘Everything’s Right’ that opened the show was a warm and reassuring welcome, and a few other highlights for me were the 25 minute Tweezer, My Friend My Friend, Mike’s>Lifeboy>Weekapaug Groove and of course Fluffhead!

There has naturally been all kinds of hoopla about the following three nights of the run and how the sound and or visual displays may have improved, but I was thrilled to be there for just that first night. I really enjoyed the experience and am happy for anyone that got to be there for any of these shows.

I recall a sign at a Phish Festival years ago, I think it was Watkins Glen in New York, that said something to the effect of “Our Intent Is Your Delight”. That sums up the band's attitude towards their fans and they delivered that delight.

We are lucky to have such ambitious and creative people discovering new ways to inspire awe and keep this band we've loved for many years interesting and fun!

If you have 23 minutes, watch the CBS Saturday Morning interview with Trey, it’s so great to see him beaming as he’s talking about the band’s history and preparing for months to play Sphere.

The crew and I in our seats in section 408:

Life Saving Gun:

Carini:

Tweezer:

My Friend My Friend:

Satisfied customers:

4.18 Eggy @ Brooklyn Bowl Vegas

The venue was within walking distance of Sphere and was sold out. I had been to the original Brooklyn Bowl once, to see North Mississippi All-Stars back in 2019 but I’d not been to the Vegas one. I thought it was a very classy place, great views from all directions and perfect sound. I believe this was my second time seeing Eggy, they had played at the much smaller 7th Street Entry. Was a great show to check out after Phish.

4.21 Shotgun Ragtime Band @ Driftwood

Feel Like A Stranger
CC Rider
Reuben and Cherise
Sitting In Limbo >
The Wheel >
I Need A Miracle >
Cumberland Blues

I Need A Miracle:

4.24 The Garcia Project @ Granada Theater

Formerly known as the Suburban World Theatre, this 730 capacity, 1928 structure is a lovely space in the heart of uptown, at Hennepin Ave and Lake Street. It’s one of few hundred year old non residential building remaining in the area.

This was a special show with a band I’d never seen before. Lead singer, guitarist, and founder Mik Bondy, takes his role seriously and did a great job of paying tribute to Jerry Garcia. You could tell they put a lot of thought and effort into the production and feel of the show, with an accurate representation of what JGB looked and sounded like (Jerry, male and female singers, bass, keys, drums,

Setlist went like this:

How Sweet It Is

Stop That Train

Never Can Tell

And It Stoned Me

Lay Down Sally

Sisters and Brothers

Deal

The Way You Do The Things You Do

Waiting For A Miracle

Ain't No Bread In The Breadbox

Shining Star

Don't Let Go

Moonlight Midnight

If that looks like an authentic JGB setlist it’s because it is! This show was played 2.6 miles down Hennepin Ave., at Target Center 11.24.91.

Super and Phil and Tina from the Shotgun Ragtime Band with Mik Bondy, founder and guitarist of The Garcia Project:

4.25 WE Collective @ Day Block Brewing

Featuring Will Effretz, Dylan Salfar, Miles Wright, Scott Yonke, and John Ross.

4.25 Demitri Rallis and Friends @ Gluek’s

With Javier Trejo

Soul Rebel:

4.26 About To Run @ Day Block Brewing

Another fun show with crazy laser lights from Art Hoffman and company!

Great setlist made of of old and new Phish faves including:

Funky Bitch

Cars Trucks Busses

Sneaking Sally Through The Alley

I Believe In miracles

A Wave of Hope

Boogie On Reggae Woman

Ghost

Tela

Rise/Come Together

Slave to the Traffic Light

YEM

NMINNL

Theme

Sand

You Enjoy Myself:

4.29 Party for Marti @ Uptown VFW

Fundraiser for Chris included Confucisaurus, Jon Miller, Jon Hanson, Spencer Quinn on sax, another sax, and live art from Chuck Hues.

Me and the artist:

4.29 Shotgun Ragtime Band @ Driftwood

No photos or videos somehow, just a shot of the TWolves game on the tele. But a great show nonetheless featuring:

Just A Little Light
Ain't No Bread in the Bread box
Man Smart Woman Smarter

Passenger
Drums
Space
Don't Let Go
GDTRFB
Shakedown Street

4.30 Arrival to New Orleans, Music @ Favela Chic

…And roving groups of street musicians with horns and/or percussion and/or strings everywhere! This was Brianna and I’s second visit to the Crescent City, having been there in 2016, also primarily for Jazz Fest. This was a relatively quiet Tuesday evening in the Days Between the first and second weekend of Jazz Fest, which we attended. With so much music and activity on the horizon, we had to get some solid rest. But first, time to explore the city and see what music we could find, and you can’t go wrong with Frenchman Street!

First cocktail of the trip:

We happened upon Favela Chic on Frenchman, with its welcoming murals of Samantha Fish and Freddie King. There was a Phish/jam type cover band that plays every Tuesday that we checked out for awhile. I couldn’t have dreamed up a more fitting setlist, having just flown in from the northern side of the Big River!

They Love Each Other
Twist
Big River
Ramble On Rose
First Tube
Truckin'
Possum
Ficus

Funky Bitch:

That makes 20 shows at 13 venues spanning three states, including my first time at Sphere and Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas and Favela Chic in NOLA!

Next up, more New Orleans and Jazzfest! ! !

Here’s a 612jams QR code: