just my brief take on the Phil & Friends show from Asheville 6/27: first off, Asheville is such a great great place to see music, wonderful energy there. very happy scene. This was the last show of the tour with John Scofield on guitar (Berry Sless took over in Raleigh), and he was amazing. Very fluid, and he really brought a lot of interesting themes and moods to the jams. He also meshed really well playin with Larry Campbell. Joan Osbourne was on vocals. I hadnt had a chance to catch P&F with her yet, and i thought she sounded great. First set was good....By the time they got to the tripped out vocals on Cosmic Charlie, the band was on fire. Second set started with a loooooong jam>dark star...this is where, imho, phils band really shines. they really take their time working their way into the next tune...hints of the other one, no more do i, shakedown run together seemlessly...they decide on china cat, and then played a fierce china cat>eleven....then finally on to the other one they were teasin during the dark star. Joan sounded great on the following he's gone, and the place erupted in a ecstatic boogie frenzy when they slid into eyes of the world....highlight of the show for me...the energy in the arena was incredible. those are the moments that we chase this music for.......the wheel after that, some spacey jam with joan wailing along, and a smokin viola lee blues to end the set....encore was the sweet ballad a little piece for you. great show...one of my favorites of the post-jerry era. once again a believer. tour's headed north folks, get out there and boogie with the people
My uncle was at that show and called me after to tell me how good the vibes were. You aren't liein he said it was the best show he's seen in years. I'll be cathin them in Hartford tomorrow
im going to mansfield to see em tommorow. a little nervous because ive heard some bad reviews. i hope the music is boogie and the scene is alive and well.
i've seen Phil at special events only ex. Bonnaroo, Phil Pre New Years BAsh 04, and the San Fran Mardi Gras Show....but never on tour, i would love to hear him when he's been on the road for a while...
