Wednesday, January 12, 2005

January 12, 2005

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
The Deli
Norman, Oklahoma
w/The Dead Kenny Gs

The Dead Kenny Gs are:
Brian Haas
Skerik
Mike Dillon

1 comment:

Scott said...

review courtesy of nicole.
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Whoa. I don't exactly know where to start. I just traveled Norman, Fayetteville, Dallas, Austin(home), and Houston watching the guys play. If it sounds crazy, that's because it actually was a bit insane. I was traveling with my guy, Jason, and my great friend Matt from Fayetteville. These are the only peeps I know that would have done all those shows with me.

At Norman, the anticipation took hold early. The show was sold out and the energy was kicking. When the Dead Kenny G's got on stage, I did not know what to expect, but here were 3 bad ass musicians that I believe had only played one time as a band, before tonight. After they started playing it was clear that we were not to be dissapointed. Brian's really rocking abstract edge had found another outlet with the "punk jazz" of Skerik and Mike D. If you guys have heard "Hippies & Jesus" at this show or the next, you know why it was stuck in my head for 3 days. By the time JFJO got on stage, I could not wait to have the trio play as a band. God, I missed these guys. I had not heard them since Wakarusa. Suffice it to say that I found my bliss on more than one occasion this night and subsequent nights. Towards the end of the show, when Dillon and Skerik where on stage they played one of the best jams I heard the entire time. So tight.

By the way, if you guys haven't seen the new Dead Kenny G's shirt, you absolutely must. It was designed by Les Claypool. It's black, with a red/dead Kenny G laying on the floor with a tenor sax coming out of his behind. I love it ;)

Moving on to Fayetteville. This show was also packed, and the sound was tighter than the night before. I could not believe the awesome response of the NW Arkansas peeps! I loved it. The bands also seem to dig this place. At one point in the night someone threw a bra on stage with crazy "hieroglyphics" on it. Classic, huh?

Dallas had a whole different vibe to it, although it too was packed. It was great to hear people talking about how intense and fresh the show was. This night, I felt the Fred got some quality time together, and I remember Reed especially shined. The progression and change from one night to the next had me completely intrigued. I would say "at the edge of my seat", but there's no way I could stay seated. Exhaustion really started to seep in after Dallas, and it would dissipate to make room for the crazy energy that became Austin, my home town show.

Antone's had so many people! It holds over 600 people (I'm not sure how many), and it was very close to sold out. Austin was out full force, and so were the guys. The show was pure insanity! I read on this list the comment about how "no one would be the same" after this show. I really enjoyed that.

After a couple days off, hiking and taking care of a show I have coming up, we decided that we had to go to Houston. This time it was Matt, myself, and a new friend, Mark. I must say this was not my favorite show, but I still felt priviledged to be a part of it. Energy was somewhat lower, but I believe the Tuesday night Houston crowd was partly to blame. The Dead Kenny G's were still trying new things onstage. Amazing group, really. Something was up with the lights, though, and you could barely see any of the guys on center stage. Skerik and Reed were washed out most of the show. It was kind of distracting. Anyways, I remember Jah Smart really impressed me in Houston (not that he doesn't normally), but he took over Dillon's gear at one point and really took off. I thought, "Why didn't you tell me you could that!". Hee hee. Dillon then sat in place of Jason and they jammed for a while. Great percussion night.

I would do this all over again if given the chance, but honestly, I had to get back to reality for a while and take care of my own work. I look forward to hearing all of them again and really hope the Austin Zoo gig comes through, even though I would miss Mr. Smart incredibly while he's out and about with 20th Congress.