Umphrey's McGee wrecked the Ritz with an earth-shattering assault of sound and lights, a full sensory onslaught of inner ear indulgence and ophthalmologic overload. It says something about the band when all of the analogies are to natural disasters and power tools. Your loyal but overwhelmed reviewers' notes include words such as earthquake, tsunami, avalanche, chainsaw, jackhammer, shellshock, aspirin and hearing exam.
The mighty groove of Aqueous opened up, building intense sonic soundscapes that morphed and twisted into pretzeled permutations. Umphrey's then took the stage for two long sets featuring their ever-shifting montage of musical mutations and an otherworldly light show that perfectly complemented the dynamic merrymaking taking place onstage. Now in their 22nd year, they remain amazingly prolific, having released 12 new live & studio albums in just the last 5 years.
The setlist and a link to the the recording is below. Warning: stand back at least 50 feet from the speakers and make sure your power strip has a surge protector!
- Paul Kerr
- Photos by Jerry Friend
http://www.umlive.net/live-music/0,22641/Umphreys-McGee-mp3-flac-downloa...
Set 1: Prowler > The Bottom Half, Mad Love > Looks, Cut the Cable, FF > Kimble, Remind Me
Set 2: Pay the Snucka > Triangle Tear, Women Wine and Song > Pay the Snucka, Cemetery Walk, Cemetery Walk II, Sociable Jimmy
Encore: Miss Tinkle's Overture
