Mix-up at the Majestic
The pairing of a progressive electro funk band and a solo happy bluegrass might seem odd to some but certainly was not a problem for the hundreds of music fans that made it to the Majestic Theatre in Madison, WI on Saturday January 28, 2012. The winter has been kind to Wisconsin and with smooth traveling I deemed it necessary to make the trek from Central Wisconsin for a good old fashioned Madison party.
The Majestic Theatre is an amazing venue with multiple levels that gives everyone in attendance a clear view of the vintage light arch that outlines the front of the house. Balloons and haze were brought to the show to add to the excitement, but the security staff sadly destroyed the contraband as it would set off the fire alert system. In the grand scheme of things balloons and haze are nothing compared to the impressive LED light show that Alan, Strange Arrangement’s Manager, provided the entire night. |
Getting to the show early definitely had some perks. Strange Arrangement’s sound check was fast and easy. Each member knew exactly what they wanted and it was soon time to start working on the fridge of tall-boys in the Green Room. Now it was time to go back to the audience and get ready for the show.
Strange Arrangement are no strangers to the Madison area and the crowd cheered when they took the stage. Early concert goers instantly filled up the dance floor as the band started with a bang. Early in the set it was apparent that Jim Conry had a mission for the night to shred the hell out of his guitar. Maybe it was adrenaline that was still pumping strong from the previous night’s show in their hometown of Chicago, but the band was on fire right out of the gates.
In the second song, Jim and Joe started to weave call and response solo lines in funky precision. Joe Hettinga sent noise from his world of keyboards. As a keyboard player myself, I see it completely justified to have at least a piano, organ, electric piano and synth within arm’s length at all times. In the third song, “Side II”, the band created whimsical loopy grooves as Jim laid on talking-like bends and squeals from his guitar. A break in the jam allowed Joe a chance to lead the band into a jam around the “Theme from Beverly Hills Cop”. The set progressed with more clever changes and tight lines as Strange Arrangement hit jams that brought on memories of the older jazzy Disco Biscuits days. Classical Music teases and tight changes gave the band compositions that sounded like Mozart on acid.
The steady electro disco funk bass of Kevin Barry came in smooth and strong that provided the backbone of the final song of the set, “Pegasus”. The final jam let the band fully get loose on stage as Joe gave everything he had through his high synths leads and Jim brought in heavy guitar all before the group brought the song back to where it began and left the crowd begging for more… but not today Madison. You will have to wait ‘til your next Strangement and something tells me that won’t be too far in the future.
Strange Arrangement are no strangers to the Madison area and the crowd cheered when they took the stage. Early concert goers instantly filled up the dance floor as the band started with a bang. Early in the set it was apparent that Jim Conry had a mission for the night to shred the hell out of his guitar. Maybe it was adrenaline that was still pumping strong from the previous night’s show in their hometown of Chicago, but the band was on fire right out of the gates.
In the second song, Jim and Joe started to weave call and response solo lines in funky precision. Joe Hettinga sent noise from his world of keyboards. As a keyboard player myself, I see it completely justified to have at least a piano, organ, electric piano and synth within arm’s length at all times. In the third song, “Side II”, the band created whimsical loopy grooves as Jim laid on talking-like bends and squeals from his guitar. A break in the jam allowed Joe a chance to lead the band into a jam around the “Theme from Beverly Hills Cop”. The set progressed with more clever changes and tight lines as Strange Arrangement hit jams that brought on memories of the older jazzy Disco Biscuits days. Classical Music teases and tight changes gave the band compositions that sounded like Mozart on acid.
The steady electro disco funk bass of Kevin Barry came in smooth and strong that provided the backbone of the final song of the set, “Pegasus”. The final jam let the band fully get loose on stage as Joe gave everything he had through his high synths leads and Jim brought in heavy guitar all before the group brought the song back to where it began and left the crowd begging for more… but not today Madison. You will have to wait ‘til your next Strangement and something tells me that won’t be too far in the future.
The crowd, although thoroughly funked, had to switch gears quickly to adjust to the changeover to Greensky Bluegrass. Most event promoters would look at this odd pairing of funk with bluegrass and throw away the idea. I, on the other hand, am glad that a showcase of different genres of music can co-habitat and have some fun. There are many things that stayed consistent through the set change. The crowd was happy to be in from the cold and I recognized many familiar faces from my area, the Fox Cities, on the road for this amazing show bill.
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The first song started slow as the crowd dropped gears and got ready to ride the “waves” that would soon be a recurring thing in listening to a Greensky Bluegrass show. The dance floor lurched with a lethargic swagger until the start of the second song. Most concert goers would frown upon hearing a cover song of Bruce Springsteen but when you add a bluegrass swing and omit the words it seems like just the right thing. Life instantly shook into the room during this twang-rock “Dancin’ in the Dark”. Although lacking a drum kit, there was no void of rhythm with the five members of Greensky Bluegrass on stage. A sweet mix of banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass and dobra allowed the band to wander through the world of improvisation with ease. The first man to the plate was Michael Arlen Bont on banjo as he set the pace for a night full of dancing.
When describing Greensky Bluegrass it is most important to understand how they use their musical space to keep the audience on their toes in anticipation. While in a jam the group sent a sonic force to the crowd that washed across like waves. The instruments slowly rolled in and out with the tide that broke with “yips” and “yeehaws” from the crowd. Each instrument tugged and pulled at each other as each member took their turn in the lead role. After several jam peaks the group ended the song and they said “How do you feel?” Before that sentence could be completed, the room erupted with cheers and the crowd was primed for more. |
The first set was filled with dynamics that gave the crowd a feeling that they were on a boat as they were being swayed back and forth with the surge of the band and the second set did just the same thing. Greensky Bluegrass created beautiful songs that flowed into amazing live jams that took you on a trip through the backwoods that made you forget where you started. While lost in the weaving pull of each instrument the band slapped you in the face to wake you from that daydream and back into the sweet melody that started the excursion. To end the set, Greensky Bluegrass brought out Joe from Strange Arrangement to play piano on the final two songs. The special guest songs were the traditional song “I’m Working on a Building” and Bruce Hornsby’s “King of the Hill”. The final jam of the first set featured piano tinkling, eerie banjo droning, and culminated with an intense build-up around the guitars. The crowd was eagerly anticipating the break of the final jam as hands raised in the air and the room started hollering and just as the group returned to the head of the song the room was washed with cheers, smiles, and pure exuberance.
The second set was driven by guitar solo heavy jams and a deep pounding bass that shook the Majestic with just the right amount of low end force. The group continued to play in their musical sandbox and as long as there was bluegrass the entire house was dancing as close to the stage as possible. Right before the encore, the band acknowledged their love of the city of Madison and that a repeat visit was in their near future. After a night of being Strange and dancing to Greensky Bluegrass, the crowd was sent off with a vocal cover of Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like a Wolf” and a brimming smile on their face.
The second set was driven by guitar solo heavy jams and a deep pounding bass that shook the Majestic with just the right amount of low end force. The group continued to play in their musical sandbox and as long as there was bluegrass the entire house was dancing as close to the stage as possible. Right before the encore, the band acknowledged their love of the city of Madison and that a repeat visit was in their near future. After a night of being Strange and dancing to Greensky Bluegrass, the crowd was sent off with a vocal cover of Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like a Wolf” and a brimming smile on their face.