Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: North Mississippi All Stars, 2/8/08, Indy, SF

NMAS
The Independent, SF, Ca
February 8, 2008


Great Show! It started rough, the place was just TOO crowded. Luckily those type of crowds are predictable and as expected the masses cleared out early. Once the place opened up, everyone relaxed and we could get down to business!

No setlist, I saw some guys getting papers off the stage, but they were more like lyric cheat sheets than setlists. I talked to a couple die hard fans but they couldn't really name songs either. Generally speaking it was one loooooong set, newer material at the beginning, stuff off the new album, and then old classics (with lots of sit-ins) at the end.

Steve Molitz walked in right behind me, saw him hop out of a cab out front, cool to see him at the bar and in the crowd, didn't expect to see him on stage, but he made it up there eventually, I think he played some hand drums, maybe? He was behind the drumkit from where I stood so I couldn't really see. And Alvin Youngblood Hart spent quite a few songs on stage as well. A guest drummer (mark shore, maybe?) made an appearance while Cody was playing guitar too.

The sound was great, as usual. The Indy doesn't disappoint often in that way. The bass was clear and deep without being boomy or overbearing. The beginning of the show, the new stuff I assume, was a bit blues-ier and moodier than I expected. The end of the show was definitely more spacy and jammy and got the crowd dancing. Seemed like the did a couple medleys, we got a verse of Gloria, there were some other familiar riffs in there, some old classic rock sorta standards, I think they even snuck in a little L.Zep.

Even a touch of Motown with a swinging blues version of 'Some Kind of Wonderful' The bass player handled the vocals perfectly, although all the guys sang which I liked! Got a Lovelight too, definitely made me think of dickey and the allmans, no denying the southern feel. The 2+hour show ended with 'Will the Circle be Unbroken' which I wasn't expecting, it sounded great! These guys are able to tackle any genre with style. Everything worked for them.

Despite the shaky start, it was a great night, kinda bummed to miss the second night tonight, it's only gonna get better!

>>>Steve Molitz walked in right behind me, saw him hop out of a cab out front, cool to see him at the bar and in the crowd, didn't expect to see him on stage, but he made it up there eventually, I think he played some hand drums, maybe?

I can't believe I didn't see this review sooner! Sweet! Thanks, Emily.

I just read Luther and Cody sat in for the encore at Jackie Green's 2/10 show in Mill Valley. I love it.

Yeah, rumor has it Molitz sat in with them both nights in SF and then all three of them went to Jackie's gig

I love that about SF

Can anyone comment on the feel of the music from the All-Stars? Early on, they were one of my favorites, based on ripping, rolling blues, with plenty 'o Les Paul-based slide.

Then I convinced concert comrades to attend a show in Boulder (w/Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the night's highlight) and the All-Stars were doing more of a jam-band thing, which was okay, just not what I want from them.

Are they doing mostly blues now, or mixing genres so much that their sets aren't consistently blues-oriented?

They're coming thru Denver and I'm not willing to gamble concert dollars these days.

its bluesy jammy man.


just saw them with the truckers in anaheim....GREAT show by both bands...wish the all stars played longer but were very FLUID....one of the best trios rocking out there today...

Thanks Turtle, the ultimate blend: bluesy jammy.