Bowlive IV Night 5 Recap w/ Marco Benevento, David Hidalgo & The Shady Horns : John Medeski, Bill Evans & The Shady Horns
Soulive’s Brooklyn Bowl residency, Bowlive IV, reached it’s fifth night last night. In past years, this would signify the middle of the run and the end of the residency’s first week. However, Soulive has chosen to pack more talent into eight days this year and continue to impress upon us just how talented they truly are. As if we didn’t know already.
The equally impressive power trio and Bowlive alumi, The London Souls, opened with a fury that paralleled Bowlive IV’s previous night openers. Eric Krasno made a point to remind the audience that this is one of his “favorite bands!” That was a powerful statement from a powerful guitarist who sees and appreciates the talent in his peers and a clear invitation to Soulive fans to pay attention. The London Souls are a classic rock band consisting of shredding guitarist Tash O’Neal, drummer Chris St. Hilaire and bassist Stu Mahan. Tash’s sound is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix; the comparisons are just inevitable. However, as a group, they seamlessly flow from multiple styles while improvising styles all with undertones of pure Rock ‘n Roll! Their wickedly expansive sound, something every power trio hopes to accomplish, shone through vibrantly in their performance of originals “Old Country Road,” “Easier Said Than Done,” and the old-timey tune “Bobby James.” The audience rocked out to AC/DC’s “Long Way To The Top” and The Souls closed their set with a rousing cover of Frank Zappa’s “Apostrophe.” So much to say, so little time.
The London Souls Set List:
Lucille Cover
Under Control
All Tied Down
Old Country Road
Honey → Long Way To The Top (AC/DC)
Bobby James
Some Day
Easier Said Than Done
I Think I Like It
Apostrophe (Frank Zappa)
Many times, the relationship between Soulive and their guests is one that has been cultivated in New York City, in front of Soulive fans who get to witness local musical guest sit-ins during local shows. Last night’s first guest, avant-garde pianist and organist Marco Benevento, a long-time NYC resident now living in Woodstock, is a Bowlive alum that fit this category. Benevento adds an element of improvisational psychedelia and locks right into the groove of every tune he touches with a specific experimental jazzy sound that defines his music. Soulive, with the help of the Shady Horns, churned out “El Ron” and teased Bob Marley’s “WAR” before a crushing “Reverb.” Saxophonist James Casey, Baritone saxophonist Ryan Zoidis and trumpeter Eric Bloom went into a hot, circular jam session, just the three of them, before Benevento joined the stage for another Soulive original “Upright.” Benevento made his presence known with an extended face-melting solo of his own. He remained on stage for the rest of the set, seamlessly layering his sound amongst the trio’s for “Swamp E” and The Beatles cover, “Revolution.” As much as Benevento is known for his own amazing techniques and stand alone performances, he is also part of a wonderful Led Zeppelin tribute band, Bustle In Your Hedgerow, which New York jam band music fans fawn over. So, when Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” began, Benevento fans and beyond went ballistic and everyone’s musical taste buds were satisfied.
Set I:
El Ron
Reverb
Upright (w/ Marco)
Swamp E (w/ Marco)
Revolution (Beatles cover w/ Marco)
The Ocean (Led Zeppelin cover w/ Marco)
The second set came quick as the excitement of the next guest was something that could hardly be contained by the members of Soulive. Los Lobos guitarist David Hildalgo came out on stage and became the newest musician to join the Bowlive roster. Granted, he snuck into a few tunes the previous night but now was his time to shine. For those of you who don’t know, Hildalgo is a world renowned guitarist who has played on albums of Buckwheat Zydeco, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Gov’t Mule, and even G. Love and Special Sauce. The list of collaborations goes on as does Hildalgo’s ability to play multiple instruments and styles. However, tonight, his vocals and guitar skills would be the highlight of the second set. Soulive performed “Shaheed” alone before Hildalgo picked up his guitar and walked out to a screaming audience. He veered completely off the setlist and performed a fantastic version of Traffic’s “Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring.” The energy on stage was magnetic and the foursome pushed the boundaries of memorable Bowlive collaborations to the limit with Hendrix’s “3rd Stone From the Sun,” and Los Lobo’s tunes, “Dream in Blue” and “Chains of Love.” The Shady Horns threw out killer solos amongst the jams and a highlight of the evening was watching Hildalgo and Krasno trade licks off each other for Jerry Garcia’s “West LA Fade Away.” The tie between Garcia comes from Hildalgo writing “Evangeline,” which the Jerry Garcia Band covered regularly. Hildalgo and Jerry played together on numerous occasions and had a huge respect for one another’s playing. The musicianship on stage was outstanding and the set was pure fire. It’s impossible to replay into words sometimes and for those who were present, they know what I am talking about!
Finally, last evening’s encore could easily rank high in Bowlive History as one of the best. It wasn’t just an encore…It was a “Neil-Core”: Soulive ended the night with a Neil Young medley for the ages, touching on three distinctly different parts of Neil Young’s career. There could not have had a better supporting cast of guitarists to bring the screeching Neil Young chords to life with David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) and Tash Neil (The London Souls) on stage alongside Eric Kranso. The first song in the Neil medley was “Ohio,” a political song written by Neil Young about the 1970 Kent State shootings and the protest movement that it helped shape. “Ohio” was followed up by a spirited version of “Down by the River,” a tune Neil Young and Crazy Horse played on the album Everybody Knows This is Nowhere. Alan Evans, who was lending his drum kit to The London Souls’ Chris St. Hilaire, shared the vocals on that tune with Tash O’Neal. Seeing Alan in the middle of the stage with a microphone in his hand was new and fun. He seemed to be having a blast. Soulive went even deeper into the Neil Young catalog by playing “For What It’s Worth,” another powerful protest song written by Neil’s band mate in the Buffalo Springfield, Stephen Stills. These three songs forced those remaining at the Brooklyn Bowl into a dancing frenzy of happiness.
Set II:
Shaheed
Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring (Traffic cover)
Dream of Love (Los Lobos Cover) >
3rd Stone From the Sun (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Chains of Love (Los Lobos cover)
Revolution (The Beatles cover)
West LA Fade Away (Grateful Dead cover)
Stone Free (Jimi Hendrix cover)
-Encore-
Ohio (CSNY)
Down By the River (Neil Young and Crazy Horse)
For What it’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
Sure, it was Wednesday night and the audience was weary from dancing their legs off the previous nights, but true music fans love hearing famous covers performed by their favorite bands. Soulive has been consistently banging out tight versions of their own originals but it’s the rousing covers of popular classic rock songs that brought the jam band crowd of the Brooklyn Bowl to their Nirvana last night. These collaborations also feed the members of Soulive. Marco Benevento and David Hildalgo expanded the consciousness of Soulive last night and the audience was just in awe.
Tonight’s guests will include organ wizard (and possibly a regular wizard as well) John Medeski and saxophonist Bill Evans along w/The Shady Horns. Because Brooklyn Bowl is hosting a fundraiser for The Brooklyn Nets this afternoon, so there isn’t an opener tonight. Doors will open at 8p with Soulive on close to 9p. On to the next one……
I missed RubbleBucket…again….for the SIXTH time this year. We have concluded that I am not meant to see RubbleBucket. Period…and when the day comes where I finally do see them, HOLY SHIT, watch out! It’s going to be one of those show karma moments when they play their best show ever! The heavens will open up and swallow us whole. So, sorry RubbleBucket…one day when the stars align.
Ozomatli @ Highline Ballroom
SO LATE!!! I arrived at the Highline Ball Room around 9:45pm after the most ridiculous of subway mistakes. I made my way up front and a member of RubbleBucket said, “Get Ready For Ozomatli!” Seriously? You have GOT to be kidding!! I was at least hoping for an hour long set? Found out later on that they had started precisely at 9pm. Apparently, at midnight, The Highline Ball Room turns into a dance club. So, they clear out the building and make people repay to continue the dance party. Yeah….good ‘ol greed wins again.
Ozomatli @ Highline Ballroom
I had never seen Ozomatli. I knew they were Grammy winners and I knew they were a Latin Funk group from California. I had some pretty high expectations because whenever I said there name in reference to attending this show, 95% of the reactions were severely positive: “OH, YES! You will love them!” or “Awesome! They are so much fun!” So, needless to say, I was looking forward to this kick ass party I was apparently going to be a part of. Ozomatli is a Latin/Funk/Hip-Hop and everything-in-between kind of band.
The members of Ozomatli stampeded through the entire 18-song set without a break and started the show off with more physical energy the MOMENT they hit the stage then I have ever witnessed in any other band. And they never EVER stopped…EVER! Just out of control, spaztastic jumping, bouncing, throwing of instruments, jumping into the audience, on to each others backs, running all over, spinning in circles…the list goes on.
Ozomatli Set list
NYC, Highline Ballroom 4/30/10
Dos Cosas Ciertas
Chango
Malagasy Shock
City of Angels
La Gallina
Ya Viene El Sol
Esa Morena
Elysian Persuasion
45
Are U Ready
Intro
Cumbia de Los Muertos
After Party
Here We Go
La Temperatura
Saturday Night
Como Ves
Ranch
Wil-Dog Abers @ Highline Ballroom
Man, this group just blasted right out onto the stage. I don’t even think they walked out. They ran. I absolutely loved it. However, there was definitely a vibe at this show that was a little different then I am used to. I had to put in my earplugs, not for the volume of the music but for the volume of the screeching in my ear. When Ozomatli began, the energy just went through the roof within seconds. But within those few seconds, the screaming females and physical shoving that commenced was a bit obnoxious. Like when you are at a Les Claypool show and he is like “PLEASE stop mosh pitting,” and no one listens. These cougars, yes, cougars, wanted at the men on that stage like it was nobody’s business.
Justin "El Niño Porée @ Highline Ballroom
So we got this ridiculous audience, a pretty tight location that was PACKED and hot, this band so full of fire that I hadn’t even focused on the sound yet. All I realized was that I had danced away from my spot to find another and was smiling 🙂 Right off the bat, with Dos Cosas Ciertas, they brought in the Latin Hip Hop with Justin “El Niño Porée on vocals. I was immediately aware of how tall the Highline Ballroom stage is because the band members were dancing all over the stage and the whole front row was leaning back as to not get kicked in the face. Out of control. I moved again, still smiling.
Ozomatli @ Highline Ballroom
Justin "El Niño Porée @ Highline Ballroom
Chango was a jazzy tune with Ulises Bella, apparently a jack of all trades, flipping his saxophone in between his jazzy blasts. This song was fast as shit. I mean, that Latin vibe was pumping through my veins and building momentum. Justin “El Niño Porée was jumping so high, I seriously thought of basketball for some time after seeing how high he jumped. What? Yup! Weird.
Jiro Yamaguchi @ Highline Ballroom
Malagasy Shock gave us the funky jam and Jiro Yamaguchi was on the timpani. Man, this guy was one hell of a fast percussionist. His hands flew so fast, there were time I could hardly see them. I was reminded of Daniel Sadownick and other players who hands seem to fly. So far, all these songs were in Spanish and I could make part of the lyrics out but mainly I was enjoying the language as a separate instrument all together.
They continued with only one of the few English spoken song, City of Angels, where they all danced in a circle around the stage in unison. Gallina and Ya Viene were more of the same. Mad energy, Latin vibe, salsa swinging hips. The couple beside me were going insane for the band and then insane for each other. Generally I like to dance alone, in my own world, but for this kind of music….mmmmm….I actually wanted a dance partner. At some points, I almost NEEDED one because this music wasn’t for the individual. It was passionate and saucy and vibrant…and there were girls all around me, no lie hahaha. So, ladies, bring yourself a man who likes to salsa when you head to an Ozomatli show. Not for every song, but you will want them there for a few of them 🙂
Bella & Yamaguchi @ Highline Ballroom
Ya Viene was so pretty. Ulises Bella on a Requinto Jarocho and Jiro Yamaguchi on a Tabla, pulled up to the center of the stage and played their respective instruments. Fast, tight, growing ever faster with each hit. Out of control audience. I recognized some pretty keys by Asdru Sierra. Ese Morena brought in Ulises Bella on the flute. This guy just plays everything under the moon I imagine. It was time to wonder around at this point…I could not longer stand the front.
Ozomatli and Rubblebucket @ Highline Ballroom
Rubblebucket & Ozomatli @ Highline Ballroom
Ozomatli brought back Rubblebucket for Elysian Persuasion. I had missed them, now I was very far back with my friends and couldn’t see. Awesome. HAHAHA!! So, I made my way up to the front and was FINALLY able to see this 5 foot awesome chick raging on a 4 foot alto saxophone with all her might. FUCKING RIGHT!!! Asdru Sierra screamed, “We are going to bring it back to the 80’s. To the time of Aqua Net.” Raúl “El Bully” Pacheco killed it on the rock guitar assault.
Ozomatli @ Highline Ballroom
This was probably my favorite song of the night. Definitely the one that sticks out the most in my mind. There was hip hop but the underlying beat was funky horn driven and there was a real nice talented jam up there for a few minute instead of a performance and I loved it at that moment. The musicians were playing and not dancing around hardly,as I don’t think they can ever switch off haha They were focusing on their tunes, not on us. But in a good way. Enveloped in their playing, feelin’ it…ahh, live music!
Fire Away CD
“This is a special night for us”..(everyone laughs)…”I mean, yall!!” says Asdru Sierra, in between blowing his trumpet. “We got a new album out,” he says, “called Fire Away.” The band was still bouncing around the stage. “45,” a slow funky song with major sax action and & Are U Ready, an oldie but a goodie, were next.
Jiro Yamaguchi @ Highline Ballroom
Cumbia de Los Muertos, off their self-titled debut CD, had everyone screaming. The clarinet was out now and they teased Bob Marley’s Stir It Up. Ulises Bella just chucks the clarinet and sends it flying through the air to Wil-Dog Abers. He catches it and returns it as we all sing along to Bob. These guys are just straight performers. Fun, fun! All the females up front are getting drunker now and the cameras are out. Wil-Dog Abers shakes his butt in the cameras and these guys just pump out he sexy to their adoring fans for sure.
After Party got me movin’ pretty hard. “We love you New York, for a specific reasons. There is always some shit poppin’.” Everyone was side by side, doing unison dances. People were hugging during this song. They broke out into a modern song medley of sorts in the middle of the rage. First it was Shaggy’s Luv Me, Luv Me but someone on stage said, “Nah! That’s whack, that’s whack.” So, I’ll Take You Thereby The Staple Singers gave us a ride.
Ulises Bella @ Highline Ballroom
Here We Go was next which had Ulises Bella on a blowing keyboard thing. It made a synthesizer sound that went oddly along with the underlying ozo Latin vibe. Temperatura was dedicate to Arizona regarding that bullshit immigration law! There was a huge salsa rage and lots of horns. Couples everywhere knockin’ into people. No one cared. And then in the middle of Saturday Night one by one they jumped off the stage…
Empty stage after entire band lept into crowd!
They raged the remaining few songs in the middle of the venue. Each and every member of the band. I’ve been told that this is a common happening. I can see why though. For at least another 10 minutes the band raged in the center of the venue. The entire audience shifted around on the floor and the stage was now empty. I could only imagine the view the people on the top floor of the venue were getting. Certainly a great show! I leaned against the stage for the remainder of the set, watching this insane tornado unfold in front of me. Pretty soon there was a conga line and they made about four passes before walking out the door. And the show was over.
Entire Ozomatli crew ragin in the middle of venue!
This is the kind of show where I will never be able to reach that intense maximum high that you get from first time experiences. When you don’t see those kind of things coming in the performance, they are real treats, exciting and fun! Which is exactly what this was. This was totally fun but I wonder what to expect next time as now know these big moments of flare are coming. In the end, they are ragers with energy for sure who put on a great performance. Definitely one I will make sure and catch again sometime very soon…next time with a dance partner 🙂
(or as I like to call it: On Your Marks, Get Set, RAAAAAAAGE!!!)
Hudson Valley Resort and Spa
Rock The Resort II. What a mess of a success! Where does one begin? I was slated to leave my apartment at 10:30am to meet my buddies at the end of the 4 train in Woodlawn. I was up at 7am wide awake after falling asleep only 5 hours earlier. It was like Christmas, too excited to sleep. At the same time around the East Coast in Upstate NY, Vermont and Philadelphia, I knew my kindred spirits in music were waking up and beginning their own trips toward their Rock the Resort II adventures. This made me smile.
"Listen, we are listening to nothing but New Riders on the way up."
When Eric picked me up from the train station, his first words when I got in the car were “You’re excited aren’t you? I could see your smile from a couple blocks away.” Indeed, I was geeking out at this point!!! After a much needed chill session in Woodlawn, Eric, T, and I piled our gear into the car and set off for the 2 hours trip to Kerhonkson, New York. Half an hour into the ride, I felt I wasn’t in the city anymore and I loved it. The trees were turning green and signs of Spring were everywhere. The rolling hills threw me back to The Valley in Virginia and I fiercely missed home at that moment. With the roof top open, the smells of Spring were welcoming unlike in parts of Manhattan where I believe we should all wear gas masks.
Fatty McRage ~ He was my fav 🙂
Arriving at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa, it was immediately clear that the place had seen some better days. Run down and tired, there were stains all over the carpet, holes in our closet door, bottle openers attached to the back of our bathroom doors…the list goes on. Don’t get me wrong, the Resort totally served it’s purpose that weekend but the place was by no means classy! And it is just as well because the majority of wookies attending this festival were not the kind to take their time and put their trash in the trashcan or their cigarette out in the ashtrays. I mean, as soon as we entered the lobby, we saw a dog take a leak right on the carpet. Dayum! Apparently, the resort was animal friendly so dogs were allowed in the venue and even in the stage areas. At times, it was very captivating to turn and see a dog resting his head on his paws, watching the show with you. I just wish they they not be allowed on the dance floor. That made for a lot of jerked leashes and frightened dogs. And above you, Fatty McRage. I deemed him so as the poor thing was, as the talented Jeffery Lockhart would later say, “To fat to even bark!”
View from 1707 ~ I can dig it!
Everyone arrived just about the same time. Parting ways from Eric and T in the check-in line, I joined up with Aaron, my roommate for the weekend and a fabulous cat I met on Jamcruise 8!! The sign-in process was a mess. There was no organization and the staff had little to no knowledge on what was going on. After trying to gather information from the website in the weeks prior and recognizing it’s lack of organization, I knew we were in for a little mess. We managed to get through the line a lot faster then most and went to check out our room. All the way at the end of the hall, with a king bed and a large windowed view of the lake and Willow trees, it was a nice place to face plant when the time would come. I immediately jumped all over the bed when I entered the room. I suggest you always jump on the bed in the hotels! I do it every single time!
Murray, Trance & J-Man wookin out the lobby
When we got settled in I set off to meet up with some friends, old and new. My boys who drove me were right across the hall, Woot! Justin, a fellow blogger and friend who maintains the Music Marauders website, was apparently kickin’ it in the Jacuzzi suite that weekend. Seriously, he and Murray were raging in what turned out to be the nicest suite at the resort. Apparently, the room had been booked months prior through Murray but it had been high-jacked for an “After Party” room of sorts so it was stocked with tons of mini fridges and what not. Aside from the jacuzzi, there were plush leather couches and pretty bar near the front door and tons of space for wookies to pass out, which is just what happened. We After-partied and Pre-partied the SHIT out of that room and ironically, numerous artists raged in the room as well, so really, all was as it was meant to be in reality.
Jaden @ Rock The Resort II
There was music at this thing right? Got to be honest, it was nice not having a jam packed lineup of amazing music. This festival is perfect for hanging out with friends, chillin with the artists, networking, and just going full face melt. I had a friggen blast. I never felt I was truly missing anything if I was not in front of the stage. There were, of course, those few bands I HAD to see this weekend, but if I were at Wanee or Jam Cruise, I wouldn’t have moved from the stage and ended up speaking to no one. So, bare with me because by the time I checked out my first show, my handwritten notes had already become illegible. At 7pm the music was set to begin; Jaden on the Empire Stage and Roots of Creation on the Manhattan Stage. Both acts I had never seen. Both venues were located side by side so you could just walk 55 feet and be in front of the other stage. The wall dividing them was a wall of windows sometimes covered by curtains…or not.
Jaden @ Rock The Resort II
The first act I caught was Jaden. I had heard so much about this little lady that I had to check her out. Wow. The talent that child has playing the guitar is going to grow and I can’t WAIT to see her in like 10 years. Hell, I can’t wait to see her in five. I only checked out a song or two, both of which were covers; Bob Marley’s Mellow Moon and Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. Both of which she played consistently on point. When she starts taking liberties with her solos I have a feeling she is going to spit fire. She has quite a way to go with her voice but she has talent in those fingers at the age of 8 that some won’t have when they are 80. And how sweet was it to see that Jaden had a posse of about 8 tweens who were there fanning it up!
Roots Of Creation @ Rock The Resort II
After a few songs I walked over to watch Roots of Creation’s set. I had heard good things. There were maybe 15 people in the theater. I sat in one of the rolling chairs on the first tier of the theater and propped my feet up for the rest of their set. My understanding was that they were reggae but the first few songs I heard were groovy and full of trippy jam. I remember feeling that it was too slow for the moment but I didn’t move. I was locked in my chair and my arms were to heavy to write. I turned in my chair and saw a golden retriever, head resting on it’s paws, laying serenely on the table, straight up smiling. Yeah, I guess they did kinda rock!
Soulive @ Rock The Resort II
At this point I peeled myself out of the chair and made my way up to the Jacuzzi suite and a few other friends rooms, missing Sellassie & Alchemy Unit. My hall had become Shakedown Street within the first hour so I stayed away from that floor most of the night. I was able to kick it with Nigel Hall while he got ready for his set. We talked music and wardrobe. He was lookin’ forward to the show and going to see his son the following day! We headed to the lobby by way of the elevator where we ran into Justin, Trance and the rest of the guys making their way down for the Soulive set. See, the very FEW of us who were there to see live music knew when to get their our asses out of our rooms. Soulive was one of the shows NOT to miss this weekend.
Skerik and Nigel Hall @ Rock The Resort II
They completely kicked it off hard. This was the first time all day that the theater had more then 30 people in it!! It was the first time all day I actually heard a CHEER from a CROWD. But that is exactly what I expected. When Soulive plays, people go see them. And they planted it hard. The trio kicked it off with a few throw backs from their older discs and a few from their new Rubber Soulive album. Eleanor Rigby made it’s way in as it always does. Nigel Hall was brought on stage as he always is. The moment I was really waiting for was coming. Skerik..Skerik…Skerik with Soulive. Two of my favorites…together. This is why I had bought my ticket.
Al Evans @ Rock The Resort II
When Skerik came out, the stage decided to fight back. The microphone that had been set up for Skerik was not working. This was incredibly frustrating but the only thing you can do is hope the artist bend and that is what they did. Nigel went from singing into the mic to planting it in Skerik’s horn so we could hear him solo. The exchange went on for a few songs and the mic never never did get fixed even after an extensive attempt. But that was the charm of it all, no? Skerik left Nigel with the microphone and exited the stage. Soulive, with Nigel raging his vocals, belted out a few more songs before ending the set. It was time to go play with friends again. At this point the elevator rides were getting longer and more animated as they both decided to just pick and choose which floor they would stop on only after going between the basement and lobby three times. Reminding me of Jam Cruise, they had a formula; the formula was fun. The elevators are crucial to the experience!
Particle @ Rock The Resort II
After running around the resort again, it was time for more music. Particle was playing next and I had not seen them in YEARS!! I made my way down to the theater and set myself up. The people packed the theater for this group as well. I am not sure if they played numerous songs or if it was one long song but I felt like they didn’t stop for a very long time once they started. I liked what I heard. It was consistent and rockin’ pretty hard when I decided to use the restroom. THANK GOD for a tiny bladder because in the Lobby was Nigel Hall, Soulive and a grand piano that was about to Rock the Resort hard! I am not even sure if this was on the schedule to be honest. Everything was so disorganized and there were none available to us. But scheduled or not, this was magic in the making.
Soulive watching Nigel Hall and Skerik @ Rock The Resort II
As I walk over, Eric tells me to put my boa on Nigel. Apparently he needs a little pick me up! Ha! It wasn’t long before the boa was off and the music was on!!! At first it was Neal and Nigel on the Grand, Eric on the congas and Alan smiling widely behind them; just playing around and feelin’ things out. Then Eric and Alan stepped away as the microphone was handed to Nigel. He sang a lovely rendition of Donnie Hathaway’s “Singing this Song to You,” while Neal played the keys. Skerik shows up at this point and his horn case was laid down besides him. The word was out! It was funny because you could see Skerik itching to jump in. He bites his lower lip. MMMM!!! It was Nigel’s turn to take the lobby over for himself. Just him, his voice, and his keys. It was beautiful, as it always is. Skerik can’t handle it anymore and he pulls up a chair beside Nigel as they play a beautiful, slow melodic tune with a soft horn and simple keys.
Soulive, Nigel Hall & Skerik @ Rock The Resort II
The lobby was slowly filling up with people as they had heard a completely different sound then what was coming from the theater. At one point someone ran out of the theater and screamed, “Particle is playing live right over here!!” The lobby responded by not moving and sticking around to see what was definitely the most special of moments for those who knew what they were witnessing. Improvisation and musical freedom at its best. Talent mixing at its best. The artists themselves were having a BLAST at that moment. Kraz’s smile never faded. After the slow tune it was on. Nigel and Skerik are both out of their seats and Neal is back down on the keys, Alan is on the congas and into “I’ll Never Know” with Kraz helpin’ out on the chorus! Such a family affair!!
There is a mix of players all over the instruments. At one point we had Nigel Hall and Neal Evans on the Grand. Alan Evans on the congas and Skerik on the horn. Then Eric had his guitar. The wookies were picking up the percussion instruments and the lobby was on fire!!! Particle apparently played a great set and it was a shame that I was unable to truly give them a listen before running into the magic land. But I truly enjoyed the hell out of the lobby performance. Those are the moments that make it all worth it.
Break Science @ Rock The Resort II
After that awesome musical adventure, we had tons tons of time to kill before Break Science would make their way to the stage. I was able to kick it with the boys from Soulive for a while before I started wanting familiar faces. During that time, Kraz is on the phone asking Adam Deitch when he plans on getting here as his set was meant to happen 20 minutes ago and he was still 2 hours away in Brooklyn. That is how things went at this festival. And it was ok, because like I said, it was so much fun getting to hang with your friends without feeling like you were missing great music. And half the people never left their rooms anyway. The lulls and downtime allowed for some rather rad adventures that otherwise wouldn’t have happened if things had happened on schedule. I headed up to the 8th floor where the Jacuzzi suite entertained me until Break Science finally arrived!!
Borahm Lee @ Rock The Resort II
Meant to go on Saturday night, Break Science was moved to replace Segway that night as Deicth had an engagement in Australia that he need to attend. I arrived at the theater a little early so I wandered into the Empire stage. The window wall had the curtains opened so as I listened to a rather funky band, who I have no idea of their name, as I watched Break Science set up. What an interesting perspective. I could hear Break Science’s sound in my head as they set up but my actual music backdrop was the jam happening on the stage behind me. Finally, I saw Deitch sit down at the drums. It was time to walk through the window…
Adam Deitch @ Rock The Resort II
I swear Adam Detich’s bones are made of drum sticks. Seriously, he is amazing. And Borham Lee, I would like to get inside his brain. With grimy dubstep and hiphop beats flaring, we danced our asses off until 6am I believe. I had completely and utterly lost track of time at that place hours ago. The highlight of the show was the Drums vs. Beat battle between Adam Deitch and Radioactive. Scheduled to battler earlier that day, they ended the day with an assault on the senses. Radio would beat box a gnarly beat and Deitch would rock it back through his drums and visa versa. It takes a talented ear to do what they did and it really was awesome. After a heavy session of dance beats and a battle like that, the night of music was finally over.
At the end of the Break Science set, everyone headed off to their various rooms for a raging night of various mixed adventures with their friends; the cracked out elevator stopping to open on every thrashed floor. Heading to the eight floor, everyone exited the packed elevator aside from myself, Skerik and RadioActive. I mention that Radio’s shirt is off the hook as it looks like a ribcage made of microphones. Radio jokes that he is thinking of having it tattooed on his chest as Skerik sees it and gets wide eyed. “Yeah man, that’s really cool,” says Skerik as he opens Radio’s hoodie to get a better look. No, chillin’ in the elevator with Skerik and Radio was cool 🙂 The shirt pattern was a bonus! We all exited the elevator and headed to the room of our fancy. I spent the rest of the night/morning, chillin’ with my favorite wookies in the Jacuzzi suite. Ben from Particle, among others, raged with us and we all talked music, listetend to music and made music. Eventually, the sun came up which meant it was time for us to lay down. We had another day of fun coming up in a few hours.
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 