*Not a local performance, but I did listen to it live and it is noteworthy (for me)
I've never been to a Halloween Phish show, but I listened to the real-time broadcast on Sirius. Modern web entertainment access still amazes me. I'm actually typing this while listening to the Festival 8 Sunday Acoustic set live (which is also awesome.) You can download 2 track recordings of the show here. Or wait until someone posts the recording on Demonoid or Isohunt.
Frankly, Exile was their best Halloween costume to date. Many fans expressed frustration when they announced the 'classic album' selection on Saturday morning. But it's doubtful, after all the anticipation, audience members walked away disappointed. These guys put so much effort into their prep, Phish would've nailed ANY of the albums on the promo web page. I was rooting for them to play Rush (Moving Pictures), Yes (The Yes Album) or The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds)--but I have NO regret with the Rolling Stones cover and will probably kill this album on my mp3 player over the next month...right after I overplay the Phish version.
Thoughts on the performance:
Nobody will ever confuse Phish with a soul/funk outfit, but there were moments last night when I forgot I was listening to 4 white guys from Vermont. In a rare collaboration, Phish brought in two singers (including Sharon Jones,) and the Dap Kings' horn section which provided a lot of the texture to the robust soulful sounds. 2 songs stood out for me: Torn and Frayed and the closer Soul Survivor. I hope they add a few of these numbers to their touring repertoire.
Phish is hitting on all cylinders right now. It doesn't make sense to me when I hear people talk shit about this band. I'm biased though because I bought into Phish about 15 years ago. But if you ever yearn for a loud rock show, this is a can't miss band...no doubt about it.
The Warsaw Village Band (Alverno College) 10/30
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Alverno College puts on the most interesting music series in Milwaukee. Turner/Riverside/Pabst is doing a lot of great things for the Milwaukee music scene, but they don't book the unique selection you'll find at Alverno--which is mostly nerd world music. The Pittman Theater is fantastic; easily my favorite venue in town.
I'm still scratching my head, but I think the Warsaw Village band is a Polish Roots outfit. The lead vocalist hypnotized me with Polish drones that seemed to replicate her cello--in fact, the two sounds were indistinguishable at times. Sepp thought they were singing about Smurfs--I thought they were singing about Gypsy magic. Either way, this band illustrated our departure from eastern European social norms because we couldn't decide if this music would have been appropriate at a wedding or a funeral. 6 pieces: Cello, Two violins, upright bass, and two percussionists. I'm not a music critic, so this was difficult for me to describe. Here is what the NYT had to say recently:
The New York Times
"This is the sound of globalisation!"
"Traditional Polish songs, with their cutting vocals and meshed fiddles are the foundation of Warsaw Village Band's repertory. But while their lineup is primarily acoustic - hand drums, hammered dilcimer, violins, cello - their sensibilities are modern. They hear dance -club drive and trancey echoes in the songs and they use recording studio techniques to heighten the central drones and eerie percussive sounds in their songs. Hints of reggae and guests like a scratching disc jockey should further infuriate purists"
The Mighty Diamonds (Mad Planet) 10/24
Rodrigo & Gabriella (Pabst) 10/14
Bon Iver & The Daredevil Christopher Wright (Riverside) 10/11
Portugal the Man (Turner Hall) 10/9
This band was unbelievable; just a great way to kick off a big weekend of music. I look forward to seeing them again.
Built to Spill (Turner Hall) 9/27
As Sepp would say, "they hit you with a wall of sound." This show was 'over the top' loud, but it didn't bother me. I had ear plugs and this band is fantastic.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe (Turner Hall) 9/16
I absolutely love their new tune Shake It Out--but I get bored at Afro-beat concerts. It's the same boredom I get with most Jam Bands. Yes, I've seen Femi-Kuti (several times) and I think his act is boring too--Antibalas is another one. Zap Mama is a wonderful French Afro-beat vocalist, so I can't knock the genre--just many of the performers.
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