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2005….
A Year to Remember
January 2006
2005 was indeed
quite a monumental year in live music history. Bonaroo was as big
as ever, remaining the world's happiest place to jam for days on
end, while in other parts of the world, pigs flew as Roger Waters
returned to the stage to perform with Pink Floyd at Live 8, and
rock's original power, Cream, reunited for their first shows in
over 35 years.
While the next
issue of Honest Tune will feature our editors views on the very
best albums of the year (while also featuring some stunning live
photos), it is virtually impossible to come to a consensus on the
year's best shows. So, for what it's worth, here are one man's opinions
on the very best shows of 2005… at least the ones I was able
to attend.
- Black Crowes
Tabernacle Atlanta May 8 - In 2005, The Black Crowes returned
to the stage with a vengeance, performing their best shows in
years, if not of their lifetime. As I decided to limit this list
to one show per band, this is the only Crowes show found here.
Others could have been included, for sure, but this Sunday night
at the Tabernacle was magical, one of those rock-n-roll shows
that keep you coming back for more. In the confines of this old
church, we were all treated to a very special Sunday evening services
with the Crowes that was a show without peer this year.
- Robert Randolph
and the Family Band The Joint Las Vegas October 30 - The most
high energy, infectious grooves known to man ease through every
note, every move, every moment when Robert Randolph takes the
stage. On this night, Randolph poured out every ounce of energy
a human could possibly possess, resulting in an electric performance
for the ages. The entire show was a highlight, as Randolph and
his band served up what was inarguably the best performance of
the Vegoose weekend. While history may recall this performance
as the night Dave Matthews joined the band for a drunken but jamming
second encore, those in attendance will tell you that the real
gems had already transpired, Robert Randolph is indeed "The
Truth," and this was perhaps the finest show of his remarkable
career.
- The Last
Waltz Revisited Smith's Olde Bar Atlanta November 25 - In all
honesty, I really wish I could name this as the best show of the
year, as to this day; it sticks with me more than any other. But,
the tapes leave little doubt that the Crowes show was indeed nothing
short of magic, and Randolph, he was just so over the top enthusiastic,
not to mention talented, that his gig was one of a kind. While
most of this show may have happened before, on a Thanksgiving
night 29 years ago when The Band bid the fans farewell, while
also recording perhaps the finest concert film of all time, there
was something magical about this, the second reenactment of the
show by a group of Atlanta musicians, led by Kris "Jelly
Roll" Gloer.
While the
band did not replay the movie in it's entirety, they did perform
approximately 20 songs, including numerous guest appearances
that gave the show much the same feel as the movie. In addition
to Jelly Roll and his band Houndog, the core of the evening's
performance also included E.T. and Kevin Harris of the Dirty
Dozen Brass Band. As usual, E.T. was a show onto himself, delighting
the crowd not only with an awesome musical display, but also
with a smile that lit up the entire room. Guest included former
Allman Brother Tommy Talton, Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites,
harp player extraordinaire David Fishman, and Lee and Will Haraway
of the Sun Dogs. After performing a stunning first set from
the movie, the band took the stage for an equally impressive
second set featuring a wide range of covers. The band's version
of Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" was truly amazing,
sounding as much like the best of the Jerry Garcia Band.
This was
truly an amazing night of music, and something that should not
be missed when repeated. With 2006 marking the 30th anniversary
of the original Last Waltz concert, Jelly Roll promises to bring
the heat to the stage again, at least twice; the first of which
is scheduled for April 7, once again at Smiths.
- Tishamingo
J.R.'s Bait Shack Athens 4-15 - Another example of having to limit
myself to just one show per band for this list. I did see Tishamingo
more than any other band this year, and any of a dozen shows could
easily be listed here. But there was something special about this
one, a private fraternity party in a bar in Athens, which was
about as much fun as a musical performance could possibly be.
This also marked the first time I witnessed guitarist Jess Franklin
play the keys, as he replaced Jason Fuller for half a song during
the first set, a sign of things to come in the band's future later
in the year. All in all, one of the most fun concert experiences
I've ever enjoyed. I would like to mention more of the great Tishamingo
shows I saw this year, I would be remiss to not give some credit
to the band's performance on September 24 in Huntsville, AL. Taking
the stage just before The Black Crowes, this was the show that
signaled the dawn of the next level for this band, that magical
night (especially Jess performing "This Time" for the
first time in front of his mother, who stood just by my side)
when your favorite band moves from a really good bar band to an
act that can hold 10,000 fans in the palm of their hands.
- Lenny Kravitz
and Nikka Costa The Tabernacle Atlanta 4-9 - Another night of
church at the Tabernacle, Lenny is a showman with few peers. He
always gives up an inspiring performance, and this night was no
different. What pushed the night totally over the top, at least
for me, was opening act Nikka Costa, who opened the evening with
a jaw dropping set that called to mind not only Lenny, but also
Aretha Franklin, and a female Robert Plant. Costa's super sexy
vibe was exciting, but her super strong musical performance is
what left the biggest impression of the night.
- Gov't Mule
The Tabernacle Atlanta 11-19 - While Mule always delivers a superior
live performance, the band's best performances of 2005 seemed
to occur during their fall tour. The two night stop in Atlanta
was nothing short of incredible, with the Saturday night performance
packing a particularly huge wallop that ranked as perhaps the
band's mightiest shows to ever hit the ATL, every bit the equal
of the infamous 1999 New Year's Eve gig.
- Phil Lesh
& Friends Red Rocks Morrison, CO July 16 - The second set
of this show, clocking in at 2 hours and 25 minutes, with barely
a moments breathe between songs, was one of the finest set's of
music I've ever witnessed, flawlessly played from beginning to
end. The first set could have been better, and Ryan Adams is far
from my favorite performer, but this was an amazing evening of
music on the Rocks. Jimmy Herring and Jeff Sipe, old ARU alumni
reuniting as Phil's Friends, stole the show, with Herring's working
wonders playing that guitar as only he can.
- Marty Stuart
and Friends Christmas Jam Asheville December 17 - Every year,
Warren Haynes puts together a once in a lifetime super group,
the world's finest musicians, playing the best damn live music
known to man. This year's band was lead by Marty Stuart, who told
tales of his only jobs ever being playing with Lester Flatt and
Earl Scruggs, followed by decades performing next to his best
friend, and ex father in law, the man in black, Johnny Cash. Joined
by Warren, Matt Abts, and Dave Schools, this was country music
being played to it's very finest. As Stuart said as he closed
the show, "That's my kind of country music." I could
not have agreed more.
- The funky
Meters Vegoose Festival Las Vegas 10-30 - My favorite set of my
favorite festival of all time. The original Meters were back,
performing only their third show in the past 25 years, and the
funk was brought down upon the desert of Las Vegas. George Porter
and company showed that it's not how often you play together,
but how much you feel the music in your soul that counts most.
This set was filled with soul and funk, and plenty of good old
New Orleans party, calling to mind many a good times in the wondrous
town that has just recently been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
- Aretha Franklin
Gibson Universal Amphitheatre Hollywood 9-10 - There are some
artists that you've always wanted to see, but rarely get the chance.
When I missed the Queen of Soul's stop in Atlanta earlier in the
year, I was determined to find a way to see this tour before it
came to close. And I could not have picked a better night than
this, where the hip Hollywood crowd included such famous names
as Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy (founder of Soul Train). Aretha
gave it her all, showcasing the pipes that made her famous on
such classics as "Respect" and "Rock Steady."
The real surprise of the evening came when the Queen sat at her
piano, and tinkled those ivories in a way in which I could have
never imagined. Her band was spot on all night, but once Aretha
begin to play, she instantly outshone them all. I left this show
very impressed, and most delighted I had made to the trip. Aretha
is definitely one of those performers I would suggest everyone
see, while you still can.
There where
hordes of other great musical events and experiences in 2005, far
more than I can mention here. But, as I leave these words to close
out 2005, there are a few additional treasures from the year I would
like to suggest to all.
While I have
never been a fan of Jerry Garcia, I am quick to admit that, when
the Fat Man was on, he could indeed make magic. The Jerry Garcia
Band Live at Shoreline DVD captures one of those nights, an amazing
performance showing Garcia doing what he did best - leading a band
of stellar players, catching a groove and playing it like no other.
His smile on this night is one of joy, and his playing, and that
of his band, shows just how good JGB could be. There is nothing
special about the cinematography, which is nothing more than the
screen shots from the show, but the music is delightful, Jerry's
magic star shining it's very brightest.
The Band: A
Music History box set is a priceless piece of music history, a virtual
treasure trove of classic and unreleased material, documenting the
entire career of the collective of musicians confident and capable
enough to be known as The Band. Five CDs and one DVD, each as good
as the next, and a 100 page book, this set is as good as any retrospective
I've ever found.
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