UMPHREY'S McGEE :: 12.31.05
ARAGON BALLROOM :: CHICAGO, IL
Words by SuperDee :: Images by Brett Saul
Brendan Bayliss :: Umphrey's McGee
12.31.05 :: Aragon Ballroom, IL |
Forty-five hundred pairs of arms are in the sky. The walls are shaking, and ear drums are rattling with a robust roar. The six-headed monster of a band has triumphantly reached the pinnacle of their anthem "All in Time." It is only the first song of the first set of the last day of the year, but the roof has clearly already been blown off. We are at the epicenter of a two-night New Year's Eve stand at the majestic Aragon Ballroom in the fine city of Chicago.
Umphrey's McGee :: 12.31.05 :: Aragon Ballroom, IL |
Umphrey's McGee wrote a new chapter titled "This Is How You Do It" in the book called Live Music on New Year's Eve. No stone was left unturned with their five sets of music, a horn section, special guest vocalists, a vibrant and timely balloon drop, and an elaborate stage set including the smoking nostrils of a tiki god and fiery torches. The Umph nodded musically a few times to events of the year just past including a cover of newly converted Umphreak Huey Lewis's "I Want a New Drug" and a NOLA-reminiscent medley sung by local Chicago soul man Paris Delane. The lounge version of drummer Kris Myers graced us with an emphatic version of "Just a Gigolo" leading the whole crowd in chorus singing "I-I-I-I-I-I-I ain't got nobo-o-o-o-o-dy."
Williams & Stasik :: Umphrey's McGee
12.31.05 :: Aragon Ballroom, IL |
The inclusion of Keller Williams in this two-night event was brilliant. The large ballroom floor was full early on each night to welcome Keller to the stage. I'm sure there were more than a few people busting into windmills as Keller streamed and looped through his unique performances. His collaborations with Umphrey's throughout the entire weekend were just fantastic – Keller McGee? Umphrey's McWilliams? Umphrey's McKeller? Call it what you like, but I believe this is not the last time we will see such a pairing.
Bayliss :: Umphrey's McGee
12.31.05 :: Aragon Ballroom, IL |
Musical highlights included the soaring "Ocean Billy" > "Glory" > "Ocean Billy" followed by a fierce "40's Theme," the first night second set opener of "Plunger" > "Jimmy Stewart" > "Play This (with Keller)," and the aptly placed "Resolution" just after "Auld Lang Syne." But what the kids will be writing home about will be that encore: a dub version of Pink Floyd's "Breathe," followed by the original version of "Breathe," followed by "Great Gig in the Sky" with guest singer Michelle Hallman on the legendary screaming vocal ending that was originally intended by Pink Floyd to sound like an orgasm. Not a bad way to end the evening. This was topped off by a newer Umph original, "Believe the Lie," which is a strong testament of their maturing song-writing. With just a few minutes left before the Aragon staff would go ballistic, they got everyone up on stage for a celebratory cover of Ray Charles's "Night Time is the Right Time."
Yes, they gone done it - a successful year and a thrilling New Year's run in the bucket. With a European tour and a new album on the horizon, the Umphrey's McGee train shows no signs of slowing down. Jump on for a ride and join the fun.
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