It was an exciting weekend all around for live music fans in and around Chicago. After a trying midweek snowstorm, our favorite bands got back to business on Thursday night at, among other places, the Kinetic Playground in Chicago. Following an opening set by Barefoot Fred, an enhanced Terrapin Flyer lineup took the stage, welcoming Cornmeal's Wavy Dave Burlingame back to contribute bass and vocals (a charming "Beat It On Down The Line").
Although, we at The Barn would like to think of it as a warm up gig forbTerrapin Flyer's Brixie's show this Friday, in actuality, it was a two set barn-burner with British wunderkind Davy Knowles taking lead guitar duties for the first set. Here's a taste of went down in pristine soundboard quality:
The stream (click to activate):
From the apropos choice of "Cold Rain & Snow" to open the show, the first set was packed with the bluesy and traditional side of the Dead's repertoire, allowing Knowles to stretch out in an style in which he dominates as well as demonstrate a little of what he learned on tour with Billy and Mickey. Towards the end of the set, the band left Dead-ville for a trip to Neil-town; the 13 minute version of "Cortez The Killer" that ensued blended the Dead's double-drummer rhythmic sensibilities with the fierce Neil Young-style guitarscapes and, of course, featured Davy's supernatural vocal ability. It was dedication time to close the set with a fun, free-wheeling "Casey Jones" ("this one goes out to Charlie Sheen!").
In the second set, it was time to dispense with any concessions to the special guest and get down to what Terrapin Flyer does best. Far from being a warm up gig, there was no evident rust as Doug Hagman, Erik Smith and crew built a set around extended jamming and segues. It was evident that this is a band not just a band playing Dead tunes, but are committed to keeping the spirit of the Dead alive, exploring psychedelic realms and crafting song suites in the style that keep Deadheads satisfied.
Setlist
1: Cold Rain & Snow, Samson & Delilah, Wang Dang Doodle, Brown Eyed Women, Mr. Charlie, Cumberland Blues, Easy Wind, Cortez The Killer, Casey Jones
2: Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain > Deal, Don't Let Go > Franklin's Tower, Row Jimmy, New Speedway Boogie > The Other One > Mountains Of The Moon > Not Fade Away
Terrapin Flyer is:
Davy Knowles - Lead Guitar
Erik Smith - Lead Guitar 2
"Wavy" Dave Burlingame - Bass
Cary Cohen - Keyboards
Daon Hufnus - Drums
Jim Farmer - Drums
Doug Hagman - Rhythm Guitar
Terrapin Flyer plays a Barn Presents Spotlight Show at Brixie's in Brookfield on Friday, February 11th.
