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On this date in 2016 Umphrey’s McGee welcomed opener Dweezil Zappa at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Dweezil joined UM during the jam of their own “Utopian Fir” which would segue into Frank Zappa’s “Muffin Man” to close out the first set.
The sit-in began during the reggae-tinged jam of “Utopian Fir” when Umphrey’s McGee guitarist Brendan Bayliss introduced Dweezil. Zappa came out scorching with a hot tone with he and UM guitarist Jake Cinninger proceeding to give a bit of a clinic in feedback before trading licks. Then all three guitarists harmonized together ahead of serious shred session from Dweezil before dropping into the heavy riff of “Muffin Man.”
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The Red Rocks “Muffin Man” marked Umphrey’s debut of the Frank Zappa classic, as per All Things Umphreys, originally appearing on the legendary artist’s 1975 album, Bongo Fury. Cinninger and Bayliss handled vocals before letting Zappa step in to do what he does best. Eventually, Brendan and Jake joined the fun and helped build the song up before landing back on the “Muffin Man” riff.
Watch audience shot video of the entire sit-in captured by OGMIII below along with pro-shot footage of the “Utopian Fir” jam via Umphrey’s Mcgoo:
Utopian Fir Jam > Muffin Man
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Utopian Fir Jam
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Setlist (via All Things Umphrey’s)
Set One: Glory > In The Kitchen, Roctopus, Speak Up > Water > Utopian Fir [1] > Muffin Man [2]
Set Two: Bridgeless > 2×2 > Bright Lights, Big City, Der Bluten Kat > I’m On Fire > Der Bluten Kat, Day Nurse > Bridgeless
Encore: Booth Love > Miss Tinkle’s Overture
Notes:
- [1] with “Dr. Feelgood” quote; with Dweezil Zappa on guitar
- [2] debut, Frank Zappa; with Dweezil Zappa on guitar
