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12.31.04 :: RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL :: NYC
SCI at Radio City Music Hall :: New Year's Eve |
On New Year's Eve, trying to get to Radio City Music Hall was like a comedy of errors thanks to the blocked off streets and hundreds of police officers stationed strategically for the Times Square partiers. However, that SCI ticket was like the Golden Ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. As we neared the venue, we realized the blocked off streets and avenues would have forced us at least half an hour out of the way, but luckily, simply flashing the ticket to a few police officers at some critical points got us to the venue. I knew we were in for magic because this ticket had already gotten us carte blanche in the chaotic metropolis.
Hollingsworth :: 12.31.04 :: Radio City |
In an ideal world, with the planets in alignment, the New Year's Eve opener that would be most ideal, definitive, and a clear statement that SCI has arrived at the throne perched atop Jamband USA, would be Hollingsworth's take on The Talking Heads' "Naïve Melody (This Must Be The Place.)" After all, this is SCI at Radio City for New Year's Eve. Well, the band wasted no time taking the stage, and almost immediately the familiar drum beat and bass line of "Naïve Melody" rang through the famed venue. This Must Be The Place – and I considered myself fortunate to be able to be there partaking in the festivities. If there ever was a moment of musical transcendence, of being totally taken over by the most positive vibrations, of rising goose bumps and tear filled eyes, this was it. Here I am, a grown man in the Pit section of Radio City with a camera in hand but unable to take pictures, by myself yet united in some unspeakable holy communion with those people surrounding me who have become dear friends. The tears were welling in my eyes, the salty drops hitting my lips and taste buds – a reminder of my humanity, my potential, and my love all in one sweeping and overwhelming moment. "This Must Be The Place" went along with the all-out stage set up too – a starry lighted backdrop, some Central Park-esque props, and a new projection screen complete with all the psychedelic musings one mind could handle. All of this was in addition to the already festively decorated Hall complete with Christmas lights and giant wreathes amid plush carpets and pimped out lounges. SCI made a very similar statement in July of 2002 with a two night run at Radio City when after a brief acoustic set, the Boys plugged in for an announcement to all music fans – we're not only here in the NYC and at Radio City, but we're also "Burning Down The House." I don't think I have ever seen a crowd go so completely ape-shit bonkers as when SCI pulled out yet another Talking Heads cover.
Nershi & Travis :: 12.31.04 :: Radio City |
So needless to say, the night was off to a blissful start, and it would only get better from there. "Naïve Melody" segued into a light and joyful "San Jose," another SCI staple. With the energy palpable and floating freely for anyone to grab hold of and ideally to contribute to, "Miss Brown's Teahouse" kicked things into high gear with yet another Billy tribute to the blessed mushroom. So from one gorgeous, tropical country, San Jose, Costa Rica, the musical adventure would now deposit us in Jamaica for a fifteen minute stroll through the interior of the mind aided by the familiar techno/funk/disco jam of "Miss Brown's." Next on the agenda was a little change of pace as bassist Moseley took us into alt-country mode with a cover of Jimmie Skinner's "Doin' My Time." Next, Nershi moved into bluegrass territory with the newer offering "One Step Closer." This love song is beginning to show up in heavy rotation on setlists, sounding more like the SCI of old with Kang's fiddle and Nershi's acoustic, yet a fierce percussion section in the break was aided tremendously by the addition of Hann and djembe player Chris Berry, who emerged as a special guest for the song. Berry remained for a percussion driven take on SCI classic "Mouna Bowa," a playful and uplifting jamgrass melody once again erected by the strong backbone of Kang's fiddle and Nershi's acoustic. The segue of these two songs flowed beautifully and aptly maintained the fun and light vibe.
Hollingsworth :: New Year's Eve |
Rounding out Set I was a three song sandwich beginning with Hollingsworth's new Latin/groove tinged "What I Know," a study of truth and the universe. Following that was a near fifteen minute jazz tribute in "Birdland," that wound up in Kang's "Desert Dawn." "Dawn" is an up-tempo, heartfelt song about the mystical gifts of life - God, the heavens, life, love, music and dancing. All in all, the set was thematically consistent musically and lyrically. The flow and ambiance was just about perfect for the special occasion and a proper setting for the celebration that was to come.
It wasn't quite clear whether two or three sets were on tap, especially after the ninety minute Set I, but when the Barefoot Boulder Boys returned to stage after 11:30 p.m. with over seven types of drums stationed front and center, it seemed like we were in for one more marathon set – and we were. Everyone from SCI had a different percussion instrument with Hann predominantly featured in the tribal drum jam and Berry once again out on djembe. The jungle rhythms became deep and infectious as two females came out for some interpretive African dance to jive with the beats. The percussion continued as Kyle and crew began the "On my way" chant and a particularly spirited version of "Way Back Home." This choice seemed a little anti-climactic to ring in 2005, but when the core message washed over me, this song about finding a comfortable spot for the heart, soul, and body rang true. We were all united on a quest musically to journey inward and find that resting place, that place of peace and love.
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| Percussion Jam > Happy New Year |
Truly the New Year turned somewhere between "Way Back Home" and a debut cover of Steely Dan's "Reelin' In The Years." Kang had vocal duties on "Reelin'" and his voice reached that somewhat high-pitched female octave during the chorus, but nonetheless the song proved to be a more than worthy audience sing along. The giant segue continued as "Glory Chords," a familiar instrumental jam materialized. It was around 12:15 p.m. when the New Year's countdown ensued at the end of "Chords." As the giant balloon drop occurred, humungous beach balls were passed around the audience, and a giant disco ball hanging from the rafters of the amazing venue was illuminated by giant white lights and lasers. It was another moment of musical transcendence. One didn't know where to look as the action was occurring on stage and all around the legendary theatre.
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| A Very Cheesy New Year at Radio City Music Hall |
But just as one could get a grasp on the spectacular eye candy occurring in every direction and the many hugs that were exchanged between friends and strangers alike, the Boys began a crowd favorite – "Rollover!" DAMN!! Deep inside, any SCI fan knew it was coming and at once my senses were overwhelmed and overloaded, yet I was pleasantly content with just letting go and letting the music deliver me to that special place. This prophetic selection and showstopper was a unquestionably nod to current events:
SCI :: 12.31.04 :: Radio City |
"It's so hard to believe/ That ten thousand years ago/ Could it really be/ Where you're standing was the sea/ She's cried out before/ Rising from her core/ Now we're looking through that door/ She might rollover/ Rollover you and me/ Rollover/ Rollover could it be/ All these cities gonna' be 20,000 leagues under the sea/ Rollover"
Good God, chills ran up and down my body. I was a receptacle for this wonderful energy, and dancing was the only way to emit the vibes back. A near fifteen minute techno/groove jam spun our heads through the depths of the ocean of the mind and just when I thought we had gone "off the deep end," SCI kicked it into an even higher gear as "Rollover" melted into a blistering "Rivertrance." Kyle's keyboard psychedelia slowly gave way to Kang's Jerry-like "wah-wah's" and Keith's familiar bassline. As Travis dropped the drumbeat, the tribal assembly was again in full swing as we moved from ocean to river and from groove to trance. Smiles and spaced out, blissful eyes were all around as the legions got down like I have never seen – myself included. This was a dance party of epic proportions and the energy and love that permeated the atmosphere was a creation that no other band currently playing can create. Yeah this is it! This is Cheese! This is the evolution of consciousness!
Moseley & Nershi :: 12.31.04 |
Following that, "Rhythm of the Road" was a reminder that the roads of life "hold the answers to the questions on our minds/ know if we keep the faith/ things will all work out in time." The crowd erupted into insanity when Billy sang, "This is what we wanted/ Hey look at we got." The overwhelming positivity and amazing message continued with Keith's "Joyful Sound." The audience sang along as we kept our feet firmly planted on the ground and raised our voice to the heavens with the favorite verse "making music/ making love/ getting both feet wet." An intensely funky and spacey "Dirk" followed as Kyle reminded us that the search for answers to indefinable questions is eternal – and to just let go and be. Just when I thought I could take no more, Keith took us on a journey through the woodlands and the night as our internal fires were a ragin' with "Black Clouds." Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Mr. Barlow was next to me the entire second set getting down with these crazy laser projectors emanating from every finger? I was as happy as a dog with two dingalings!
It was now around 1:30 a.m., and I think just about everyone could have gone for another set, but instead, a two song encore was in store. Kang's take on "Boogie On Reggae Woman" would get those dancin' feet moving again – a nice little dose of reggae/funk before an appropriate and sobering reminder of our life mission. "Good Times Around The Bend" closed out the night and the run with the ultimate dose of love and light with the message "Sometimes it seems like such a hard life/ But there's good times around the bend/ Rollercoaster's gotta' roll to the bottom if you wanna' climb to the top again." Ahh yes... the ebb and flow of life.
SCI :: 12.31.04 :: Radio City |
In the end, what I took away from the experience, more than any of the music, is creation – creation of some amazing new friendships, creation of positive energy brought on by song and dance, creation of a safe environment to delve and explore the depths of consciousness and being, creation of feeding the hungry and homeless, and creation of smiles, compassion, and love. SCI fills a unique role in the jamband community in their overwhelming positivity and strength of message. To be able to do so without preaching, and in the most insanely fun manner, is a true blessing bestowed by these five (ooops... six) Colorado Mountain Boys. Ahh... to bring people together and overcome differences. The world needs more of this.
I'll close with a quote from the prophet Robert Nesta Marley: "Forget your troubles and dance/ Forget your sorrows and dance/ Forget your sickness and dance/ Forget your weakness and dance." Thank you SCI and everyone involved, including every single fan, for allowing us to forgive, forget, let go, love, create, and most importantly, dance. And dance we did!
All Words & Images by: John Smrtic
JamBase | New York
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