Show Review

I must admit, I probably wouldn't have thought about going if not for the addition of Steve Kimock to the lineup. I've seen Kimock in most of his various projects over the years, and he remains one of only a handful of musicians alive today who truly move me each and every time I see him. Though within this particular setting, Kimock was far from a front man. In fact, at times I forgot he was even on stage. That’s the power behind the unique premise of the Everyone Orchestra. Gather diverse musicians on one stage, with little or no plan as to what is going to happen, and just go for it. And go they did!

Things started with the band Hamsa Lila gracing the stage and moving the anxious crowd through hypnotizing grooves that bordered on the techno end of the spectrum. This earthy group, seemingly influenced by numerous cultures, creatively incorporated elements of African and Indian, but also dashes of Latin American, Caribbean and even Brazilian. Adding to the melodic and powerful sound were the chant-like vocals of three female vocalists providing an eclectic mash of music.

Once the Everyone Orchestra started, due to the free-spirited nature of the event, it was nearly impossible to follow exactly who was and was not on stage at particular points in the show. Throughout the night, musicians were walking on and/or off stage at nearly all times, but eventually, maybe 45 minutes in, Mr. Kimock snuck into the mix and slowly started to feel his way into the jam. It was fun to see Steve in a musical environment where he wasn’t the featured guy, almost seeming happy to just add a little color to what was already becoming a crowded stage. After feeling his way through a few jams adding sparse accompaniment, he eventually found a few spots to solo, and he did so with a grin, clearly enjoying the festival like collaboration.

A little over an hour into the show, I noticed Tye North (Leftover Salmon, Theory of Everything) had finagled his way from side-stage and was now standing front and center facing the stage in the middle of the crowd. He had with him a dozen or so queue-cards, each with different messages. Holding these cards up to the musicians on stage, it became obvious that they were musical queues, usually stating what key to play in. North was now the conductor, with no less than fifteen people on stage, making it clear how the name Everyone Orchestra came to be. North proved to be a more than worthy maestro, as he lead the circus of sounds through crescendos and quiet jams, at times even picking who he wanted to solo and when he wanted key changes to take place. Commanding the respect and attention of everyone on stage, including Kimock who seemed to be having as much fun as everyone else, North led the members to the final notes of the monster jam and the band began to shuffle off stage. Matt Butler (Jambay, Hanuman) listed on the poster as the host of the event, informed us that the first set was over but there was lots more to come.

When the lights dimmed for set two, Kimock, members of ALO, drummer Matt Butler and others took the stage. They opened with a beautiful rendition of “A New Africa,” and then Steve sat down at his Fender lap steel guitar as the band kicked into the opening rhythm of “Why Can't We All Just Samba?” Although I've probably seen Kimock play it more than any other song, it never seems to tire. After “Samba,” I noticed that Steve Kimock's son, John Morgan Kimock, had sat down on the second drum kit. John, at fifteen years old, may be young, but he can sure pound the skins. The group busted into “Thing One,” a song I never really considered one of Kimock's best, but now hear quite differently thanks to the excellent musicianship that took place on this night.

Before I knew it, there were too many people on stage to count and Tye North was conducting the orchestra yet again. This time around, it seemed that any tightness that might have existed in the first set, had ceased to exist and everyone was loose, having a good 'ole time getting down. North went around the stage pointing at every musician at one time or another signaling their time to shine. After a succession of solos, North brought the jam to one final climax with everyone banging, plucking, strumming, slapping, tapping and shaking furiously, and the set came to a close.

You could feel the energy in the room and the springs were bouncing in the floors when everyone came back on stage. A scorching version of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” with Scott Law (Hanuman, Melvin Seals) on lead vocals proved a fitting end.

The Everyone Orchestra Featuring Steve Kimock

Hosted by Matt Butler and Conducted by Tye North

Players: Jessica Lurie (Living Daylights), Jamie Janover (Zuvuya), Scott Law (Hanuman), Jarrod Kaplan (Taarka), ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra), Asher Fulero (Surrounded By Ninjas), Hamsa Lila

Photo courtesy of Kimock.com.