Guest Book

Hey guys: Been in lurking mode the last few days but its my birthday and I’m gonna post to the old GB. Yes, turned 41 today, been kind of celebrating all week so I’m just going to take it easy tonight. Now onto other things. Been reliving some Beacon moments with shows in the mail this past week thanks to fine people like Stormy, Billy, and Clay etc. The quality of the discs were so nice and crisp this year – a special thanks to all the tapers who make it all possible. A few points on the Beacon shows: I was not at the performance on the 23rd, I was there earlier in the week – but the ending Whipping Post / Mountain Jam combo from that show is Killer! Almost 49 minutes of one hell of musical journey. I’m not trying to open a can of worms here but it’s as good as those songs have sounded since Duane and Berry. For anybody that’s gotten a hold of this one, you know what I’m talking about. The Brothers have always played music built on tension and release better than any band in history and this show is no exception. I’ve always loved how they can take a jam that practically explodes from all the tension that was built and then bring it down to where you can hear a pin drop. The WP/MJ from this show does just that quite a few times. I am not saying this is the “greatest Mountain Jam ever” or anything like that but it does have a Fillmore East, Mountain Jam vibe that we all listened to growing up. Derek’s intro to the song is simply beautiful, the band really takes their time with this one just letting the jam develop – never rushing a single moment. I will say that Warren and Derek quote Dickey and Duane a few times from early versions of this unbelievable song. They are not stealing, copying or even borrowing licks and phrases from Duane and Dickey, they are simply paying tribute to 2 guitar legends the best way they know how. That’s how I see it. This band is really tight! The new instrumental kicks butt – even better than what I remembered seeing it live. I’m already digging this masterpiece and its probably not even fully developed yet. By the way, I’m assuming this song is still without a name. Maybe we could come up with some ideas of what to call it and the band can use it. Since it was written right before the Beacon run maybe it should be called “The Beacon Groove” or “74th & Broadway Shuffle". How about “Pickin’ up the Peaches”. Well, maybe not! Saw a couple of posts on the great Jimmy Herring earlier. I don’t think Jimmy has ever played a bad note. He’s as good as they come. Has anybody ever had a tougher job than Jimmy when he had to replace Dickey on such short notice? Talk about a no win situation. He’s better off in the Phil camp where he’s not replacing someone who has been in the band for 30 years. His style suits Phils band perfectly. I’m really happy he got that gig. He really deserves it. That’s it for now folks, think I’ll have another birthday beer! Peace Eddie