Everyone Orchestra brought a jam packed line up to the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs this past Saturday, November 4. This version of the improvisational group consisted of Al Schnier (moe.), Jim Loughlin (moe.), Vinnie Amico (moe.), Ryan Montbleau, Hayley Jane, Mike Maher (Snarky Puppy), and Eric Gould (Pink Talking Fish). The group spent the two previous nights at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY and Buffalo Iron Works in Buffalo, NY.
Yes Darling, a duo featuring Hayley Jane and Ryan Montbleau opened the show playing for about an hour. This version of Everyone Orchestra played a number of improvisational jams “inciting love” throughout the crowd. The show filled the venue to almost its full capacity. The Putnam Den recently went through renovations updating the interior of the venue. With the soundboard now being located in the back, there was more room for people to dance and have a good time.
Everyone Orchestra continues its fun with dates at Electric Haze in Worcester, MA November 9, Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY November 10 and Gypsy Sally’s in Washington D.C. on November 11.
Normally used for Boy Scout camping purposes, the main lodge was transformed into a dance hall of sorts and nearby cabins were available for additional purchase as well for those that preferred bunk beds instead of roughing it outdoors. In fact, in a really unique twist, “campers” weren’t even informed of the event’s location until about 48 hours beforehand when an e-mail was sent to ticket holders. All that was known was that it would be somewhere in the 413 area code of MA. Those that were willing to put their faith in a party with no address were rewarded with a night of music that spanned multiple eras and genres.
Wing asked Formica to lend her ability at many points after that. Formica accompanied her sixth grade chorus in “Stray Cat Strut,” and then sang a “beautiful” rendition of Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’.” Formica was even asked to sing a solo at her eighth grade graduation.
“I’m truly enjoying all of this, but it’s so much work,” she said. “I have school all day, but then I come home and there are so many opportunities that I have to address. I don’t like ignoring anyone.”
LaLonde and Les Claypool left the stage for an anticipated drum solo as a hooded Alexander led the show. Claypool shortly returned while sporting a pig mask and breaking out the Whamola for entrancing sounds. This time, the video projections offered clips of instrument strumming, as it matched up perfectly in sync with the live strums of Claypool’s Whamola. Interacting with the audience every so often with small interjections like “beautiful building you’ve got here,” Les Claypool asked the crowd to guess the ending track of set one with the firm strike of one note. Without a doubt– “Jerry Was A Racecar Driver” would close out the night with clips from the music video displayed symbiotically.
With their last Palace Theatre gig in 2014 and before that 2009, for some this was a short-lived chance to catch the seasoned rockers in person. There are two situations where walking by talking animals and skipping pirates is the norm: during halloween festivities and leaving a Primus show, as a satisfied audience quickly flooded out of the venue and infiltrated an already amped up South Pearl Street crowd.
Jacksonville Florida’s own 
Grey thanked the crowd for singing and began reminiscing about his days working at a lumberyard in Jacksonville, Florida adjacent to a tiny church located in a nearby strip mall. He recounted days drinking iced tea and listening to the church’s preacher singing and playing spiritual hymns on guitar, while the ladies in the choir sang along. He went on to say that was one of his inspirations for what he calls his band’s “Rock and Roll Revival Show.”