Thursday, February 27, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Moe. and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, 1/26/14, Strand Capital Theatre, York, PA
Hello everyone. It's been awhile since I had an actual show
to write about but here it is. So join myself as I jump into the way
back machine but keep a foot in the present as I present Moe. with
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe opening in York, PA at the Strand Capital
Theatre on January 26th, 2014.
While the Strand and York in particular aren't a major destination for most touring bands, it does fit in with a lot of touring schedules if they need to fill in an off night, ie. a night that isn't Friday or Saturday, as the major markets get those plum dates. This is even more so with York being within a 5 hour or less drive from Philly, Pittsburgh, DC, and NYC. So a Sunday night show fits in quite well.
This was a birthday party for Nate and Christie Altland whose birthdays were both earlier in January. Yes, it wasn't within a week of their birthdays, but not all of us are lucky enough to have a birthday around Thanksgiving when a lot of bands play and Devolver decided to have their annual reunion show. It was also Erin's birthday two days after the show, so it's a Celebration bitches!
We started out having drinks and dinner at the White Rose Bar and Grill. The food was outstanding and then a short block walk to the Holy Hound Tap Room. If you have never been, you MUST visit. A rather incredible place; just wish it was closer to Hanover. More friends old and new were there, so it was truly a local show.
Karl Denson has been around forever. I definitely saw him twice in 2002 (Bonnaroo late night and the Roots Music Fest at Oak Ridge Park in MD) and have quite a few shows. He has done tribute shows to Ray Charles and the Beastie Boys. His 6 piece band has a Hammond B-3 organ player, drummer, bassist, guitarist, trumpet player, and Karl himself on sax, flute, and whatever wind instrument he can get his hands on. They were all dressed in natty black suits and looked the part of hip jazz musicians.
Two different versions of the setlist exist so you can decide which is the correct one. Never the less, it was all high energy. The highlight of the set was 7 Nation Army. The bass started it off but the arrangement from the bass line to the drumbeat was different, so you didn't know what was coming until the chorus. But when they got to the chorus, the whole place exploded. Upon further review, Karl was playing the lyrics on the flute. It was really mind blowing. Best moment of the night in my opinion.
After a quick set break, jam scene veterans Moe. came out and did what they do. I first saw Moe. way back in 1996 at a fest called Deadhead Heaven in Purchase, NY. This was created by the owner of Terrapin Tapes, one Steve Hayes. Yes, it once was good business idea to run a company that did nothing but mail order blank cassette tapes to heads. I used to order them 100 at a time. He set this festival up as a celebration of the Grateful Dead and their culture. No one really knew what was going to become of the scene after Jerry passed. This fest then changed their name the next year to the Gathering of the Vibes, and the rest is history.
While the Strand and York in particular aren't a major destination for most touring bands, it does fit in with a lot of touring schedules if they need to fill in an off night, ie. a night that isn't Friday or Saturday, as the major markets get those plum dates. This is even more so with York being within a 5 hour or less drive from Philly, Pittsburgh, DC, and NYC. So a Sunday night show fits in quite well.
This was a birthday party for Nate and Christie Altland whose birthdays were both earlier in January. Yes, it wasn't within a week of their birthdays, but not all of us are lucky enough to have a birthday around Thanksgiving when a lot of bands play and Devolver decided to have their annual reunion show. It was also Erin's birthday two days after the show, so it's a Celebration bitches!
We started out having drinks and dinner at the White Rose Bar and Grill. The food was outstanding and then a short block walk to the Holy Hound Tap Room. If you have never been, you MUST visit. A rather incredible place; just wish it was closer to Hanover. More friends old and new were there, so it was truly a local show.
Karl Denson has been around forever. I definitely saw him twice in 2002 (Bonnaroo late night and the Roots Music Fest at Oak Ridge Park in MD) and have quite a few shows. He has done tribute shows to Ray Charles and the Beastie Boys. His 6 piece band has a Hammond B-3 organ player, drummer, bassist, guitarist, trumpet player, and Karl himself on sax, flute, and whatever wind instrument he can get his hands on. They were all dressed in natty black suits and looked the part of hip jazz musicians.
Karl sitting in with Moe.
Photo by Erin Kohlbus
You can stream the show here
Two different versions of the setlist exist so you can decide which is the correct one. Never the less, it was all high energy. The highlight of the set was 7 Nation Army. The bass started it off but the arrangement from the bass line to the drumbeat was different, so you didn't know what was coming until the chorus. But when they got to the chorus, the whole place exploded. Upon further review, Karl was playing the lyrics on the flute. It was really mind blowing. Best moment of the night in my opinion.
After a quick set break, jam scene veterans Moe. came out and did what they do. I first saw Moe. way back in 1996 at a fest called Deadhead Heaven in Purchase, NY. This was created by the owner of Terrapin Tapes, one Steve Hayes. Yes, it once was good business idea to run a company that did nothing but mail order blank cassette tapes to heads. I used to order them 100 at a time. He set this festival up as a celebration of the Grateful Dead and their culture. No one really knew what was going to become of the scene after Jerry passed. This fest then changed their name the next year to the Gathering of the Vibes, and the rest is history.
Moe.
Photo by Christie Altland
You can stream the show here,
although the tracking of the songs is a little bit off
moe.
1/26/14
Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
York, PA
Set I:
Captain America, Big World >Ricky Marten >Y.O.Y., Happy Hour Hero *, Jazz Wank >Buster
Set II:
Billy Goat >Not Coming Down >Wormwood >Okayalright, Yodelittle^ >CalifornIA >Opium,Wind It Up , Enc: Money
* w/ Karl Denson on sax
^ w/ Brain Tuba tease
1/26/14
Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
York, PA
Set I:
Captain America, Big World >Ricky Marten >Y.O.Y., Happy Hour Hero *, Jazz Wank >Buster
Set II:
Billy Goat >Not Coming Down >Wormwood >Okayalright, Yodelittle^ >CalifornIA >Opium,Wind It Up , Enc: Money
* w/ Karl Denson on sax
^ w/ Brain Tuba tease
Christie knows someone on the
staff and hooked our whole crew up with really good seats. We were
all within the first 4 rows. While I really enjoy Moe., I definitely
enjoy their older, 90's stuff more than their more recent songwriting
attempts. I was not disappointed as I got a healthy dose of that old
stuff. The jams were tight as was the playing. Someone remarked they
were more a prog rock band than anything and I agree.
I also must add a caveat to this
review, I had to bail after the first set. With my work schedule, I
just can't do late nights anymore. It's also not easy when you hit
your 40's to rage shows like I used too, but you will get the Phish
ticket from me when you pry it from my cold dead hands. So mad props
to the taper that allowed my decrepit shell of a body to enjoy the
second set.
Dave Kemp
BA American Studies
PhD Rock and Roll
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