In the tradition of Kevin Shapiro’s “Live Bait” series, in which he highlights jams from the venues and/or cities of the upcoming tour, I have put together an “unreleased” playlist of my own that fits the same bill for Leg Two. Perhaps someday some of these choice nuggets may get the soundboard treatment. Until then, enjoy these audience recordings within “Cities of Summer.”
***
“The Curtain > Tweezer” 11.19.95 II, Charlotte, NC
Out of so many phenomenal Fall ’95 “Tweezers,” this version, from Charlotte Coliseum, is one of my favorites.
***
“Wolfman’s Brother” 8.6.98 II, Atlanta, GA
This Lakewood “Wolfman’s” is a perfect portrait of a band migrating from funk towards a more ambient sound during Summer ’98.
***
“Gumbo” 7.3.99 I, Atlanta, GA
The second song of a two-night, Lakewood holiday stand stretched into an engaging dance session right off the bat.
***
“Frankie Says > Bowie” 11.4.98 I, Denver, CO
A phenomenal chunk of Fall ’98 ambient jamming blossomed out of “Frankie Says”and led into an intricate set-closing “Bowie” at McNichols ’98.
***
“Harry Hood” 9.28.99 I Pelham, AL
Playing like a man possessed, Trey leads the band and audience to the mountaintop and beyond in one of the greatest “Hoods” you’ve never heard. And it came at the end of the first set at Oak Mountain ’99’s throwdown! This selection goes out to Scotty B. of YEMBlog, one of the biggest “Hood” fans on the planet.
***
“Reba” 6.13.94 II Kansas City, KS
“Reba” and 1994 are like peanut butter and jelly. I’ve always loved this version for the hypnotic rhythm groove Trey spins right out of the gates. You can check out the awesome You Tube clip as well!
***
“Timber -> Simple” 11.16.97 II Denver, CO
Having always lived in the shadow of the next night’s monumental show, this “Timber” from the opening night of Denver ’97, never gets its due. One of the truly dark horse jams of Fall ’97—with a spectacular segue—deserves the soundboard treatment one day. It’s that good.
***
“Bathtub Gin” 7.20.98, Ventura,CA
Everyone knows the Riverport “Gin” from a week later, but this similarly, show-opening version from North of LA, laid the groundwork for the masterpiece to follow.
***
“Piper -> 2001” 11.4.98 II, Denver, CO
The centerpiece of an underrated show in Denver.
***
“Antelope” 8.6.97 II Maryland Heights, MO
After a cross-country trek from The Gorge to St. Louis, this blistering “Antelope”—with a theremin-laced “Makisupa” jam, was a talking point of the Midwest section of Summer ’97, and one of the best versions of the entire tour.
=====
MINER ON SIRIUS/XM’s JAM ON—MONDAY and TUESDAY
I’m both happy and excited to announce that I will be the guest host of Sirius/XM Jam On‘s “Gone Phishin” this coming Monday and Tuesday, 8/13 and 8/14. The show will air at 9 pm Eastern / 6 pm Pacific and will run for 90 minutes each night. Over the course of three hours, I will be highlighting my favorite jams of Leg One, as we prepare for Long Beach’s opener of Leg Two on Wednesday night. Be sure to tune as it should be a good time with great music guaranteed!
