Exclusive Premiere: Spafford Shares Crystal Bay Show Featuring 2-Song Set

One week ago today, Arizona jam quartet Spafford were due to perform at the Crystal Bay Casino in Crystal Bay, Nevada when treacherous travel conditions led to a postponement of the show. Spafford wound up playing Crystal Bay on Monday and made it worth the wait with a jam-filled concert that included a two-song first set and a second set that began with a 26-minute “It’s A Bunch.” JamBase is pleased to premiere official audio of the entire concert as this week’s Full Show Friday selection.

Brian Moss (guitar/vocals), Jordan Fairless (bass/vocals), Andrew “Red” Johnson (keys/vocals), and Cameron Laforest (drums/percussion/vocals) delivered a 45-minute “Virtual Bean Dip” to open and followed that up with a “Leave Your Light On” that spanned 26+ minutes. Spafford’s first set in Crystal Bay wasn’t just about the length of the jams, but both exploratory renditions are filled with impressive improvisation. The quartet didn’t quickly move from one theme to another. Instead, they dug hard into one progression for as long as ten minutes and then would let a band member lead the way to a different jam space that was equally as successful.

“Virtual Bean Dip” showcased Johnson’s range of tones from untz-y synth to gorgeous piano sounds. Johnson led the way for the start of wild 45-minute rendition with Moss taking control at one point to front a build to a massive peak. Once Moss was done shredding, the foursome moved on to a pretty major-key jam space. The interplay between the guitarist and keyboardist is unreal, with Fairless and Laforest providing a powerful base. Jordan especially shined towards the 30-minute mark of “Virtual Bean Dip,” when he hit upon a funky progression after which his mates followed along. After a pair of climaxes, Spafford finally segued into fan-favorite “Leave The Light On.”

Moss played chunky rhythms to start the jam in “Fire On The Mountain”-esque fashion and then ripped dynamic leads over the gorgeous chord progression. The next portion of “Leave Your Light On” was a synth-driven jamtronica-heavy excursion. Spafford, led by Moss, built to one massive climax before the final chorus of “Leave Your Light On” and the end of the magical set.

The second set was far from a letdown. Spafford opened with a 26-minute “It’s A Bunch” that was just as adventurous as anything played in the first set. This time, the band focused more on the rock elements of their jamming. Cameron and Jordan laid the groundwork for a slick transition into “Mind’s Unchained” and after the “Fire”-esque jam in “Leave Your Light On” it was fitting the quartet closed out the set with a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “West L.A. Fadeaway.” Spafford then returned for an encore of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Soul To Squeeze” in which Laforest played at double time, providing an unusual feel for the familiar song.

Listen to all of Spafford’s show from this past Monday night:

Spafford’s For Amusement Only tour continues in Missoula tonight ahead of shows in Boise, Salt Lake City, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Frisco and Winter Park.

Setlist (via Spaffnerds)

Set One: Virtual Bean Dip > Leave The Light On

Set Two: It’s A Bunch [1] > Mind’s Unchained > West L.A. Fadeaway

Encore: Soul To Squeeze