Saw Umphrey’s McGee with Special guest Joshua Redman and opening act Tauk Saturday night at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo MI.
Tauk opened things up and I was pretty impressed. I guess I would describe their music as jam band, but they certainly have a proggy side to them and also throw in some funk and jazz leaning from time to time. They did a solid hour set and I really enjoyed them.
As usual Umphrey’s put on another killer show. They did two 90 minute sets with about a half hour intermission. Saxophonist Joshua Redman was their special guest and he played several tunes during each set. I was not familiar with him, but the guy was an amazing player. As always the band was tight as nails and they did a nice varied set list. With Redman in tow, they emphasized their jazz / fusion side a bit more than I have seen in the past and even got into what I would call space rock. At one point I was thinking that if I closed my eyes what I was hearing could have easily been mistaken for Hawkwind. Umphrey’s always does a few covers and did a really cool version of The Police “When The World Is Running Down….” with Redmond doing an incredible sax solo towards the end. They also threw in instrumental snippets of YYZ and Sprit Of Radio from Rush. For their second encore they did a great version of Bob Seeger’s “Hollywood Nights” with Jake Cinniger on vocals. Since Bob Seger is practically god in Michigan, the crowd at it up. Every time I see this band it is a different experience and I just totally dig what they do. This show was no exception. Here is the set list:
BATHING DIGETS
MISS TINKLE’S OVERTURE
DIVISIONS
LOOSE ENDS
BELIEVE THE LIE (with Joshua Redman)
BAD FRIDAY (with Joshua Redman)
WIZARD BURIAL GROUND
INTERMISSION
DER BLUTEN KAT (with Joshua Redman)
AMBLE ON (with Joshua Redman)
WHEN THE WORLD IS RUNNING DOWN (Police cover with Joshua Redman)
40’S THEME
ALL IN TIME
GRAVITY’S REAL (Including instrumental snippets of YYZ and Spirit Of Radio from Rush)
ENCORE:
PUPPET STRINGS
HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS (Bob Seger cover)
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