Just had to mention a most incredible show that I had the good fortune to catch on Thursday 1/8 at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz. It happened very spontaneously as I just happened to run into a buddy of mine that day who said he and his wife were going to the show and partying at their place in Santa Cruz beforehand so would I like to join them. REALLY glad I had the sense to do it!
John Popper looks great, he has shed a lot of lbs. since the only other time I saw him 20 years ago in Blues Traveler as part of the HORDE Festival. WHAT a band!!! I want to tell you, this was about as good a two hour jam set as you are going to hear anywhere. A six piece: Two guitars, keys, Popper on harmonica/vocals, bass and drums. Every guy in the band sings at least at some point in the show.
I am not lying, there was a point in the show where I thought that Jason Crosby on keys was playing a Hammond sound. Then I realized that no, it was Popper, who was getting some just incredible sounds out of his mouth harp. Popper is nothing short of a magician on the harp, one of the best I've heard. REALLY nice, friendly and very funny guy, too. I got to chat with him after the show and he had me laughing my ass off. Scott Rednor in particular on guitar and vocals was really, really outstanding. Rednor owns the Shakedown Bar in Vail, Colorado which is supposed to be a really happening place.
There could not have been more than 250 people at Moe's Thursday night, but it sure made it comfortable! I actually had a seat, which is rare for that place. Since Blues Traveler has been around for 20 years, I think the reality is that a lot of the young hippie Santa Cruz crowd does not even know who John Popper is.
BROTHERS KEEPER
John Popper: Harmonica, vocals
Scott Rednor: Guitar, vocals
Jono Manson: Guitar, vocals
Michael Jude: Bass, vocals
Jason Crosby: Keyboards, vocals
John Michel: Drums, vocals
The opener, Doobie Decimal System was also VERY good. DDS did a 1/2 hour acoustic set and also features Jason Crosby, this time on acoustic guitar, violin and vocals, along with Roger McNamee on acoustic guitar and vocals. Among other things they did a sterling Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out. I also recognized a Pink Floyd tune and I'm nearly certain it was from one of their early ones, Meddle. Just VERY sweet............ great harmonies not just for that tune but for the entire 1/2 hour!
A friend asked me if I knew who McNamee was and I said, "No". First, he's in the band Moonalice. Second, according to my buddy, he's one of the richest people in the world! He's a venture capitalist and owns an investment firm, Elevation Partners. McNamee joined Brothers Keeper for just one tune and killed lead vocals on a sterling version of I Shall Be Released. This guy is not an arrogant rich dude, he's a very FINE musician! He had a commemorative poster made up just for the show which everyone there received. Here is McNamee's professional profile if anyone is interested: http://www.elevation.com/EP_IT.asp?id=102
! www.broskeeper.net
[Edited on 1/12/2015 by robslob]
