STRING CHEESE INCIDENT

"On The Road"

Pompano Beach, Fl.

April 23 2002

Fidelity Records"

Across the pond here in England we rarely get the chance to see the likes of Phil & Friends, Zen Tricksters, Phish, SCI and other Jambands. We did get to see the Dead over the years but these days we rely on the kind tapers and scarce CD releases………….until……String Cheese came up with the idea of putting out CDs of live music from their tours - the "On The Road" series.

Where to start? A recent acquisition was the show from Pompano Beach, Fl. So here goes.

The excitement builds up as SCI announce, "it's good to be outside…we've never been so far south before". A reassuring solid bass intro and tight playing by the band on "Black Clouds" sets the pace for the show. The crowd loves the mood and we are treated to some great mandolin picking through "Rhum 'n' Zouc". The first set seems eternally long and it is obvious the band is enjoying every minute of the extended jamming through "Down the Line", "Good Times", "These Waves", "Bam!" and out through "Crosstown Traffic". The audience goes wild - and so they should. We have just landed after soaring through the jetstream for a full hour.

The second set opens with the reggae beat of "Shantytown" which slows to a spacey interlude that moves gradually into an upbeat "Shakin' The Tree" with keyboard and drums laying down a solid rhythm - this is really smokin'. Then a golden oldie - performed by the Foggy Mountain Boys in the mid sixties - "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms".

A Samba beat opens "Blue Bossa" which develops into a moody tune with long organ chords and soaring guitar. Staccato guitar and percussion leads into a sustained fuzz guitar run. Wah wah guitar develops and a delicate tune emerges with keys placing counterpoin……"Jellyfish" into "Black Clouds" ……………great audience participation. The sound is reminiscent of Phish……..some crazy chat leads into "Latinissmo" with a jazz / funk rhythm. The bass leads, weaving a highly structured web, followed by guitar and keys bouncing around the web………then sweet slide guitar shining above a chopping rhythm -- reminds me of some moments from Bobby & The Midnites. Keys and guitar exchange licks - Dick Betts style. The pace quickens to full throttle with a twist of Bluegrass. The ante is up - a final refrain then slowly wind down to a great finale - Salso style.

To my estranged English ears this show is String Cheese at their best. The joint was jumpin' and a good time was had by all. On a personal note I would have liked to hear Lands End in there but that will wait for another show.

Maybe, just maybe, we may see some incidents over here. How about Glastonbury 2003? A magical place for a magic band.

- Dave Bulbeck

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