Review: Umphrey’s McGee in Grand Junction
Words: Alexander Wolff
Images: Jason Woodside
Grand Junction, Colorado is a beautiful place to see a show. As you approach this seemingly sleepy city from the West, the Colorado River is on your right and the mountains surround you with 360° of picturesque landscape. Naturally, this kind of thing will affect not only those going to see the show, but often times a band itself. Umphrey’s McGee was no different last Friday.
[Photos by Jason Woodside]
Mesa Theatre & Club is a 750-capacity venue, and being less than full, it lent itself to great sightlines and freedom of movement within the room. When Umphrey’s took the stage, the crowd erupted. While the set opener, Atmosfarag, might not have been the best choice, those in attendance quickly forgave this oversight as the band slid into a roaring version of August. With relaxed, patient jamming they took time to explore this tune and the results were prodigious. At this point in time it was also noted that it was percussionist Andy Farag’s birthday and everybody seemed more than happy to oblige a celebration.
From this point on, Umphrey’s McGee produced some of the most laid-back jamming this year has seen, and nothing seemed as though it were forced. They allowed their songs some room to breathe, and the outcome of this was seen in several jams that just blossomed, without having to be pushed so much as they were guided. Lead guitarist Jake Cinninger seemed to take more of a back seat tonight, allowing Brendan Bayliss’ guitar chops to shine more than usual. READ ON for more of Alex’s words and Jason’s photos…
The first set never really slowed down, and what was perhaps most interesting about it is that they chose to include two songs from their 2009 release, Mantis. The jam out of Made To Measure was perhaps the best performance of this song to date, and 1348, the set closer, translates very well live. The Bottom Half also featured great improvisation, and Space Funk Booty was a real treat for old-school fans.
Opening the second set with a massive, thirty-minute sandwich of Front Porch and Resolution was a bold statement. The sextet treated the crowd to two classic Umphrey’s McGee songs with vast exploratory jamming. Keyboardist Joel Cummins stepped up in a big way with this jam and took the lead in quite a bit of the improvisation.
They pushed forward with great song selection and well-placed jamming without any of it feeling forced. Tribute to the Spinal Shaft featured yet another great, patient jam, which started soft and mellow and built smoothly to a gorgeous peak, that, while short-lived, was one of the better moments of the night. Later, the big sandwich in Ringo was a great choice to close out the second set.
When the band came out for the encore and Cinninger picked up a bass and a vocal microphone was brought out for bassist Ryan Stasik, the crowd knew that they would be getting something special. The timeless West Coast beat of Dr. Dre’s Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang started to hammer down the rhythm, and Stasik took the mic to lay down Dr. Dre’s verse while Bayliss handled Snoop Dogg’s lines. Having not been performed since early 2005, it was quite a surprise. That could have been the end of the show, but they dropped into a raucous Phil’s Farm to close it out strong.
If there’s one thing you should know about Umphrey’s McGee, it’s to go see them play in a smaller market, at as small a venue as possible, because that is when this band seems to bring the most inspiration and ingenuity to the table.
Umphrey’s McGee
September 18, 2009
Mesa Theater
Grand Junction, COSet One: Atmosfarag, August, Rocker pt. II, The Bottom Half, Made to Measure > Space Funk Booty > The Fuzz, 1348
Set Two: Front Porch > Resolution > Front Porch, Walletsworth, Tribute to the Spinal Shaft, Ringo > Sweetness > Ringo > God Gave Rock and Roll To You > Ringo
Encore: Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang, Phil’s Farm
Pingback: Hidden Track » Dream Focused: Grand Junction