ALP has officially released Grateful: The Music Plays The Band, a new 17-track album that features classic Grateful Dead songs covered by many of their friends. It contains selections played by familiar names like Oteil Burbridge and Dark Star Orchestra but also ALO, Doom Flamingo, and more.
Proceeds from this LP will benefit The Grateful Guitars Foundation, a nonprofit charity that obtains world-class musical instruments for people who seek to carry on the tradition of jam band music into the 21st century and beyond.
Grateful features longtime and newcomer bands influenced by the music of the Grateful Dead, committed to expanding the group’s sound in various musical directions – from live grooves to Afrobeat to sultry synth-driven pop. But there’s also touches of vintage Grateful Dead as well, with a track from David Nelson Band, a former New Rider of the Purple Sage and longtime cohort. See below for a full track listing.
Founded by Andy Logan in 2019, the Grateful Guitars Foundation not only serves to put guitars in the hands of musicians in the community but also supports music instruction in schools to seed the next generation of talented players. To capture the tones of specific eras of Grateful Dead concerts, Logan worked with luthiers across the country to build a library of models of every guitar played by Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir from 1965-1995.
Logan then loaned these instruments out to bands doing recreation shows, most notably to Phil Lesh & Friends at Terrapin Crossroads in 2015 and 2016. Logan himself also owns two historic pieces of Grateful Dead memorabilia – “Alligator,” a Fender Stratocaster Garcia played by Jerry Garcia 1971 to 1973 (so-named because of a sticker on it), and the Martin D-28 with which he recorded “Ripple.”
“These instruments should be played, not mounted on a wall,” says Logan. “I wanted to share them with the fans and players who have loved the Grateful Dead, so that the jam scene is enlivened by their unique tones and historical significance.”
Grateful: The Music Plays The Band can be found on all streaming platforms here and to learn more about The Grateful Guitars Foundation visit gratefulguitars.org.
Grateful: The Music Plays the Band tracklist:
1. “Jack Straw” – Dark Star Orchestra
2. “Friend of the Devil” – David Nelson Band
3. “Peggy-O” – Alex Jordan & Friends
4. “Candyman” – Katie Skene & Andrea Whitt
5. “They Love Each Other” – ALO
6. “One More Saturday Night” – BERTHA: Grateful Drag
7. “Loser” – Michael James Wheeler
8. “Touch of Grey” – Doom Flamingo
9. “So Many Roads” – John Kadlecik
10. “Music Never Stopped” – Cubensis
11. “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider” – La Horsa Bianca
The first ever Belmont Festival in Saratoga Springs kicked off in grand fashion on Wednesday night, June 5th. Ahead of the historic weekend, concert goers turned out by the thousands for the official opening, a block party dubbed ‘Belmont on Broadway’ headlined by the Grammy Award winning rock band Blues Traveler.
Often referred to as “the Summer place to be,” the enthusiastic atmosphere could be felt all over the city. Propelled by the distinct voice of the legendary John Popper and his scorching array of harmonicas and harmonies, the good-time vibes were off the charts, contagious and perhaps a little rowdy.
Belmont on Broadway: Fans flocked to Saratoga Springs for a free Blues Traveler performance on 6/5/2024.
With the six-day festival expected to bring the Spa City more than $50 million in revenue, the massive crowds also meant massive business for the local shops and restaurants downtown. People of all ages lined every inch and stoop of Broadway, arriving early to catch the opening set from eight-piece local rock and soul ensemble Tops of Trees. With a steady influx of concertgoers packing in like sardines by the time the charismatic Pat McGee Band took the stage, it was Grade A entertainment all around as friends, families, and strangers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, sweaty and smiling on this humid summer night in early June.
And They’re Off: The Pat McGee Band got the party started early in Saratoga on 6/5/2024.
With stellar production services provided by the fine folks at High Peaks Production, the overall program ran incredibly smooth and both looked and sounded great from the start. After a brief word from organizers, the winners of the Belmont on Broadway window decoration contest were announced as Heidi Owen West and Stacey D’Andrea-Goodman of the Lifestyles of Saratoga boutique. Clearing the stage shortly after 8pm, it was finally time for the band everybody came out to see.
Dancing in the Streets: Concert fans lined the streets of Saratoga ahead of the Blues Traveler performance on 6/5/2024.
Once ruling the radio with chart toppers from their massive, multi-platinum selling album Hook, the beloved improv-heavy rockers from Princeton, New Jersey, Blues Traveler proved they still know how to party like it’s 1994. No stranger to headlining festivals, the band is credited as the driving force behind the original H.O.R.D.E. (Horizons of Rock Developing Everywhere) festival that successfully toured the country from 1992 to 1998, including memorable stops at SPAC just up the road. Once again playing up to a massive crowd all these years later, Blues Traveler hit them with hits early and often.
Hey babe, let’s keep in touch: John Popper sings “Run-Around” with Blues Traveler in Saratoga Springs 6/5/2024.
Consisting of harmonica wizard and band leader John Popper, along with guitarist Chan Kinchla, bassist Tad Kinchla, keyboard player Ben Wilson and drummer Brandon Hill, Blues Traveler opened with perhaps their most popular song, “Run-Around” resulting in city-wide sing-along that’s still reverberating somewhere down Caroline Street. Demonstrating their propensity to jam, Popper would catch fire early, utilizing his signature array of custom harmonicas to blow the audience away on a “Dropping Some NYC” > “Moby Dick” > “NY Prophesie” sandwich.
Dressed in a familiar floppy-brimmed hat and looking as healthy as he has in years, the band would find it’s lengthiest groove on the psychedelic Kingpin rocker “But Anyway,” while fans then took the opportunity to spark up during a cover of Tom Petty’s “Mary Janes’s Last Dance.” The heartfelt “Mountains Win Again” was perhaps the most emotional song of the evening, followed up by perhaps the funkiest in a cover of the Son Seals classic, “Funky Bitch,” which many fans often confuse as a Phish original.
Blues Traveler performing in Saratoga Springs on 6/5/2024.
Segueing nicely into an equally funky “War Pigs” keyboard jam before alligator-ing at breakneck speed into a ferocious, foot stomping rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (which the band humorously changed to “The Devil Went Down to Saratoga”), the melodic interplay between Popper and Chad Kinchla’s colorful guitar solos would shine bright all night long, but especially on 1997’s “Carolina Blues.”
Tasty Licks: Guitarist Chan Kinchla preforming with Blues Traveler on 6/5/2024.
Gracefully dipping off stage while each member of the band was given the chance to solo in the spotlights, Popper would lead Blues Traveler through the remainder of the set that combined an easy melodic flow crossed with a plethora of choice cover songs and sophisticated soul-funk boogie. With highlights that also included teases of Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” and Aerosmith’s “Eat the Rich,” Blues Traveler would bring the main portion of the set to a close with a massive sing along to their smash hit “Hook.”
With the curfew rapidly approaching and the enthusiastic Spa City crowd still eating it up and begging for more, the band would insight the famous “Toga” chant from the Animal House film, before encoring with one final cover, ZZ Top’s “La Grange.” A great evening of music powered by a band that’s stood the test of time, the atmosphere in downtown Saratoga Springs was downright electric and made you hope ‘the powers that be’ will take notice and introduce more events like this one in the future. For now, you can re-live this entire performance via tapper audio at the link below courtesy of Archive.org.
“The newsman said not to sit on strange toilet seats / It’s my life he’s trying to save, but anyway I found out that I got eye cancer / Too many television waves, but anyway” – Lyrics to Blues Traveler’s “But Anyway”
Up next for the band, Blue Traveler will take the rest month off before returning to the legendary Red Rocks in Morrison, CO for their annual 4th of July throwdown. Later this August, you can catch them back in New York with a pair of dates at Lewiston Artpark and the Perinton Center Park Amphitheater in Fairport.
Blues Traveler | June 5,2024 | Belmont on Broadway | Saratoga Springs, NY
Setlist: Run-Around > Things Are Looking Up, Dropping Some NYC > Moby Dick > Bass Solo > NY Prophesie > Dropping Some NYC, But Anyway, Mary Jane’s Last Dance, Mountains Win Again, Funky Bitch > War Pigs Jam > Devil Went Down to Georgia, Carolina Blues > Drums > Hook.
Encore: La Grange.
The Pat McGee Band | June 5,2024 | Belmont on Broadway | Saratoga Springs, NY
Psychedelic groove circus, Glass Pony, is set to perform at Albany’s The Palace Theatre on June 7 as part of the Palace Sessions.
The Albany native band focuses on danceable music with influences from the 60’s and 70’s and incorporates a jam band style of performance. In 2019 they released their first self titled album and their most recent 2023 album is titled Washed Away. The band is made up of Chanda Dewey (drums), Eddie Hotaling (guitar, lead vocals), Jeff Picarazzi (bass), and Greg Pittz (lead guitar).
Although it was built in 1931, The Palace Performing Arts Centers was established as a not-for-profit corporation in 1984 and since then, has hosted a variety of talent including The Rolling Stones, Jerry Seinfled and Tony Bennet. The theater was always used to entertain the Albany community as it was first used as a cinema for the “talkies.”
The Palace sessions are a series of recorded and filmed live performances. The sessions were created with the help of the city of Albany and Mirth Films in 2020. The goal was to bring live music, via YouTube, to a quarantined audience. Glass Pony’s Palace Sessions set is free to all and you can reserve tickets here.
To coincide with the album, Lodge has announced a tour across the East Coast starting on July 9. The tour will start in Clearwater, Florida at the Capitol Theater. Lodge’s tour will make three stops in New York. The first show is on July 17 at the Patchogue Theatre, in Patchogue, New York. The other dates are July 20 at the Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York and July 29 at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Lodge has been the songwriter behind some of The Moody Blues’ biggest hits such as “Ride My SeeSaw” and “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band).” With The Moody Blues no longer touring, Lodge is passionate about “keeping the Moody Blues music alive.”
Prior to John Lodge’s first show, he joined Michael Singer to discuss new recordings, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Jon Davison of Yes.
There’s a new music festival that’s been announced for the summer season. Wonderland Forest in Lafayette, NY will play host to Grateful Getaway, a series of Grateful Dead tribute acts playing over the course of eleven consecutive days in August.
The initial artist lineup has now been announced with more to follow and there’s various ticketing options for either individual shows or all eleven packaged together.
Grateful Getaway promises to feature a harmonious fusion of sound, nature, and community and begins on August 2 and 3 with two performances by the Sam Grisman Project. The August 3 show will also feature a supporting act from Grateful for Biggie – a band that blends the iconic worlds of the Grateful Dead and Notorious B.I.G.
Pink Talking Fish then takes over Wonderland Forest for a show on Sunday, August 4 and the artist for the Monday, August 5 show has yet to be announced.
Grateful Getaway then powers right along to Tuesday, August 6 with a performance from Steely Dead, another “mash-up” tribute act that lives up to the name. This then sets the stage for two of the more renowned and long lasting Dead cover bands that are playing today.
Melvin Seals & JGB will headline on August 7 and 8 and then pass the baton to Dark Star Orchestra for two shows on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10. Grateful Getaway will then come to an end on Sunday, August 11 with that night’s headliner also yet to be announced.
Tickets for individual shows and further information can be found here.
The String Cheese Incident have announced their 2024 fall tour, which will include four New York dates. In addition to two shows in Port Chester, the renowned jam band will also play in Brooklyn, and Wonderland Forest in LaFayette.
The String Cheese Incident (SCI) are a world renowned jam band, innovating musically since the early 1990s. The Colorado-based sextet incorporates elements of psychedelia with bluegrass, dubstep and many other genres into their sound. With all six members writing songs, and trading off vocals, the band’s music is uniquely collaborative. Their musical ingenuity has brought widespread acclaim, with the group sharing stages with Lauryn Hill, James Brown, and Sheryl Crow.
!On top of their musical innovation, SCI has put their fans at the forefront of their career. They are famous for their immersive live shows, incorporating themed experiences and chances for audience participation into their shows. In addition, the band pioneered file sharing, offering their shows to fans with free online downloads. Since their rise to success, SCI has sought to give back to the community, aiding a number of philanthropic causes. The band were among the first to encourage green tours, and regularly donate to Conscious Alliance and HeadCount charities.
This tour celebrates the band’s 30th anniversary, with SCI traversing the country throughout much of 2024. The String Cheese Incident’s fall tour is set to begin in Las Vegas on September 12th. Following this inaugural show, SCI will move eastward, ending the first leg of their tour in Baltimore on September 29th. This leg of the tour will see the band play Wonderland Forest in LaFayette, NY on September 28th. The second leg of their show will begin at Suwanee Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida, before moving up the Eastern Seaboard. On October 30th, SCI will perform at the newly opened Brooklyn Paramount Theater. The band will conclude their tour with two dates at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre on November 1st and 2nd.
Tour Dates
Sept 12-15 @ Bender Jamboree | Las Vegas, NV
Sept 18 @ The Criterion | Oklahoma City, OK
Sept 19 @ The Midland Theatre | Kansas City, MO
Sept 20-21 @ Riverside Theater | Milwaukee, WI
Sept 22 @ Vibrant Music Hall | Waukee, IA
Sept 25 @ Royal Oak Music Theatre | Royal Oak, MI
Sept 26 @ Palace Theatre | Louisville, KY
Sept 27 @ Cain Park Evans Amphitheater | Cleveland Heights, OH
Sept 28 @ Wonderland Forest | Lafayette, NY
Sept 29 @ Pier Six Pavilion | Baltimore, MD
Oct 24-27 @ Suwannee Hulaween | Live Oak, FL
Oct 30 @ Brooklyn Paramount Theater | Brooklyn, NY*
Oct 31 @ The Met | Philadelphia, PA*
Nov 1 @ The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY*
Nov 2 @ The Capitol Theatre | Port Chester, NY*
*with special guest Stolen Gin
Artist presale kicks off Wednesday, May 29 at 11:00 AM MT. Public on-Sale is Friday, May 31 at 10:00 AM local. For more information on tour dates and ticketing, visit SCI’s website here.
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) paid homage to their Jersey roots with an unbelievable spectacle of a show at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park. The show included Stuart Bogie sitting in on many songs, notably during “Eyes of the World.”
The first set started off with a classic Bluesy Dead song “Good Morning School Girl”. The set included an extensive “Fire on the Mountain” and a beautiful “Eyes of the World”. The band ended the set with one of my absolute favorite renditions of “Dancing In the Strets”.
It was so good JRAD started the second set at Stone Pony with the same jam. The “Music Never Stopped” that followed was equally as groovy and kept the vibe going.
What followed was a beautiful medley of Deadhead favorites including “Help on the Way”, “St Stephen”, “The Wheel”, and even “Uncle John’s Band” done in pristine JRAD fashion.
Most of the band is from New Jersey, the show is in the Jersey shore, so proper homage was paid with a double Bruce Springsteen encore. This band was truly born to run!
JRAD – Stone Pony – May 17, 2024
Set1: Good Morning School Girl, Touch of Grey, Silvio, Fire on The Mountain, Eyes of the World, Dancing in the Street
Set2: Dancing in the Street, The Music Never Stopped, Help on the Way, Slipknot!, St.Stephen
On Thursday, May 23rd, Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB concluded their tour with a 3 night run at Brooklyn Steel, which saw their final show of the May tour sold out. Fans gathered by the masses at the brewery adjacent from the venue and all around the block, waiting in eager anticipation of what was to come.
Trey and Classic TAB traveled far and wide for this tour, going from Canada, to the Midwest, and ending in Brooklyn; it is clear that momentum is on Mr. Anastasio’s side. Fresh off an acclaimed 4 night run at The Sphere, a new album, Evolveon the way, and not to mention a nation wide summer tour, as well as a 4 night festival, Mondegreen, all of which on the horizon, it’s a busy time for Trey. However, he proved without a shadow of doubt that he has no intention of slowing down, regardless how much success he meets. Flanked by longtime collaborators Dezron Douglas on the bass, Ray Paczkowski on keys, and Russ Lawton on the drums, the evening featured an array of classics and bust-outs.
Their first song, “Party Time” foreshadowed the evening with fans swaying from side to side right off the bat. “A Wave Of Hope”, a song featured on the upcoming album, “Evolve”, saw Classic TAB delving into uncharted territory. Other classic tunes such as “Gotta Jibboo, “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan”, and “Twist”, solidified the evenings themes of a true celebration.
Returning for a second set, Trey and Classic Tab delivered an explosive rendition of “Blaze On”. Keeping the foot on the collective gas pedal, they navigated from “Plasma” to the rare but beloved “Alaska”. The vibe was locked and loaded when “Quantegy” rang out. The whole evening could be compared to a masterclass in the subject of musical exploration. Space, sound, and melodies interchanging, intermingling, and an audience paying such close attention, one could hear a pin drop.
Encores featured, “A Life Beyond the Dream”, and closed with “First Tube”. Fans left encouraged, knowing more music is on the way. Fans of Ray Paczowski and Russ Lawton can see their new project “Lamp” on a limited east coast tour. Fans of Trey can catch him with Phish on tour this summer, which features a 3 night run in Bethel. All tickets are on sale now.
Trey Anastasio – Brooklyn Steel – May 23, 2024
Set 1: Party Time, A Wave of Hope, All Pretending, Gotta Jibboo, Shade, Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan, Where They’ll Find Us, Twist, About to Run
Set 2: Blaze On, Plasma, Alaska, I Never Needed You Like This Before, Quantegy, 46 Days
Phish has officially unleashed “Oblivion,” the second song released from their forthcoming new album Evolve. The band’s first album in over four years, Evolve, is set to arrive via JEMP Records/ATO on Friday, July 12. But now two tracks from it have been unveiled before its official release next month. First, the album’s title track “Evolve” premiered last month. And now “Oblivion” has been made available to the public – with both studio cuts able to be heard below.
Evolve, Phish’s 16th studio album, is produced by Vance Powell and Bryce Goggin. It was recorded in the fall of 2023 at the band’s now famous Vermont recording studio, The Barn. True to Phish’s unique creative process, the album’s 12 tracks were selected from arrangements shaped by the band’s dynamic live performances. Some, like the fan-favorite “A Wave Of Hope,” have become springboards for Phish’s most soaring improvisation.
Phish seems to be giving “Oblivion” the same treatment. The song first debuted last summer and has already been played ten times, with a few serious jams attached to the back end. This includes a standout performance in Syracuse just a few weeks after its debut. And a huge arena rock version as only Madison Square Garden can supply.
This new album seems to have a fitting title as Phish’s distinct musical language is on vivid display; still pushing boundaries, still very much continuing to evolve. The cover of Evolve and gatefold feature paintings by Mehdi Ghadyanloo. The track “The Well” is only available on the vinyl version of the album.
Phish Dry Goods has three different exclusive pressings of Evolve available for pre-order, including a “Crimson Robed Edition” (neon-pink/maroon colored wax), “Pillow Jets Edition” (transparent/blue colored wax), and an “Eco-Onyx Gates” 180g Audiophile Edition pressed on recycled eco-black wax. T-shirts, CDs, and hats are also available.
Evolve Tracklist
1. Hey Stranger 4:47 2. Oblivion 6:03 3. Evolve 4:12 4. A Wave Of Hope 5:04 5. Pillow Jets 5:57 6. Lonely Trip 6:00 7. Life Saving Gun 4:25 8. Monsters 5:15 9. Ether Edge 4:06 10. Human Nature 2:54 11. Valdese 3:36 12. The Well 4:30* 13. Mercy 4:11
*track available only on the vinyl version
Pre-orders for Evolve are available now in all formats – including digital, CD, and double LP vinyl – via the Phish Dry Goods store: https://dry.gd/evolve.
Trey treated an appreciative audience to a mix of electric and acoustic music that delivered both high energy and subtle thrills. The setlist was a testament to the band’s versatility and musical prowess, spanning both familiar classics and experimental improvisations. From the infectious groove of “Gotta Jibboo” to the introspective “Water in the Sky,” each song pulled the crowd in and sent them on satisfied.
Wonderland Forest is a newer venue in the Syracuse area and a great place to see a show. It’s ten miles south of the city near Lafayette, sitting on 400 acres of forests and fields. When you initially enter the venue you walk down a gravel path through trees until entering a pristine clearing with a lovely pond. Vendors are clustered around the water, with a small stage for an opening act to use in the back. Walking further into a forest lit by brightly colored lights once the sun sets, you come to a beautiful amphitheater nestled in a grove.
As dusk descended upon this verdant expanse, eager concertgoers gathered under the canopies, their whispers mingling with the rustle of leaves, anticipating a night of transcendental music. They weren’t disappointed. Trey took the stage a little after 8 pm, opening with a driving, pulsating “Sand,” followed by some nice soloing on “Back on the Train.” He continued with “Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan” and then “Steam” before pulling out the acoustic guitar for “Heavy Things.” The crowd was then treated to the debut of a never before played song called “It’s Happening Again,” followed by the first performance of “Windora Bug” in three years.
Set Two featured a few songs off of Phish’s upcoming album Evolve like “Oblivion” and “Pillow Jets” as well as Phish classics like “Ghost” and “Blaze On,” and Trey Anastasio originals. After finishing, the band took the stage for a two-song encore, with Trey pulling out the acoustic guitar for “Water in the Sky” and then finishing with an electric “Prince Caspian.”
As the final notes of the encore faded, the crowd walked away happy – many no doubt on their way to catch the next stop in the tour. It was a high-energy night of music, only marred by a little rain, and a satisfying experience. Trey and Classic TAB’s playing was imbued with a sense of purpose and passion that resonated with every note. They are bringing their A-game on this tour and it is not to be missed.
Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB – Wonderland Forest, Lafayette, NY – Saturday, May 18, 2024
Set 1: Sand, Back on the Train, Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan, Steam, Heavy Things, It’s Happening Again, Windora Bug, I Never Left Home, Gotta Jibboo, I Never Needed You Like This Before
Set 2: Drifting, Oblivion, Ghost, Outside the Lines, Broken Into Pieces, Pillow Jets, Liquidate the Moon, Blaze On, A Wave of Hope, 46 Days
