Thursday, June 10, 2010

12-12, 13, 14-90 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO

1990 proved to be an eventful year for the band with their 25th Anniversary that Summer followed by the passing of keyboardist Brent Mydland. With the first European tour since '81 in the Fall, the band hired Vince Welnick as their new full time keyboardist. Bruce Hornsby also joined as a part time additional keyboard player.


The band opens strong with Touch Of Grey->Greatest Story Every Told sounding fresh and very energized. The following Candyman is SWEET with Jerry's voice sounding strong and the harmony vocals of Bob, Vince and Bruce are stellar. The blues tune Walkin' Blues soars with Jerry, Bob, Bruce and Vince all getting a chance to shine on their solos. Loose Lucy has a joyful bounce while the cowboy medley of Mexicali Blues->Maggie's Farm, once again, gives everyone a chance to sing and solo. Queen Jane Approximately is very good while the set ending Deal is over the top.

The China Cat Sunflower->I Know You Rider->Looks Like Rain gets the second set off to a good start and Bruce's grand piano recall Keith's early days with the band. The mid set Iko-Iko sound lifted straight out of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Mardi Gras in December. Dark Star is incredible. Long and jammed out with the perfect amount of space before giving way to the first and only verse before segueing into a long and majestic Terrapin Station with a wonderful jam into a far out Drums->Space. The All Along The Watchtower flat out rocks while Stella Blue is beautiful. The Throwing Stones->Not Fade Away jam was played SO MUCH in the '80's that it's a wonder that they could still play it with such conviction but here they do. The Weight is nice and shows how much Casey Jones was inspired by this song with Brent's verse being given to the "new guy".


The next night starts with an energetic Jack Straw->Sugaree on which Bruce's piano and additional singing help push this over the top. Tonight's blues tune, Wang Dang Doodle, gives everyone a chance to show off their chops. Friend Of The Devil is nice although I prefer this song without an accordion. The cowboy medley of Me And My Uncle->Big River is good. Ramble On Rose is very nice and Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again is fun. The set ends with the Hornsby song The Valley Road.

The second set starts with a good Help On The Way/Slipknot->Franklin's Tower. saint Of Circumstance is nice while Eyes Of The World->Drums->Space has some fantastic jams. The Other One is cool and spacey while Morning Dew is mournful with Box Of Rain ending the set while the U.S. Blues encore rocks.


The third show finds Vince taking over the keyboard spot with Bruce not sitting in for this one. The show opens with a hot and jammed out Shakedown Street. The Picasso Moon is very good and reminds one how unfortunate it is that this song is somewhat dissed in fan circles. Peggy-O is a pretty ballad and is handled very well here. the Little Red Rooster takes tonight's blues slot. Stagger Lee is fun and it's nice to here When I Paint My Masterpiece without the accordion. To Lay My Down->Let It Grow is a wonderful way to end the set and is the most enjoyable part of the set since Peggy-O.

The Victim Or The Crime->Foolish Heart is stunning. Vince really hasn't found his part on Man Smart, Woman Smarter but does a great job on He's Gone. Drums->Space teases Dark Star and that's exactly what happens out of space with a nice jam and the second verse that we didn't get the first night. I Need A Miracle-> Wharf Rat->Turn On Your Lovelight are all well played and the encore of Knockin' On Heaven's Door is a fitting end to this great run in Denver. 

No comments:

Post a Comment