New To YouTube: Butch Trucks Brings Frogwings Supergroup To Wetlands In 1999

While the term “supergroup” gets thrown around often, the short-lived Frogwings was worthy of the term. Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks brought a version of the group together for a 1999 run featuring Blues Traveler frontman John Popper, Aquarium Rescue Unit guitarist Jimmy Herring, then 19-year-old guitarist Derek Trucks, Allman Brothers Band percussionist Marc Quinones and bassist Oteil Burbridge as well as Kofi Burbridge on keyboards and flute. Recently, stellar video of two complete Frogwings shows recorded at the Wetlands Preserve in New York City on February 9 and 10 in 1999 has surfaced on YouTube.

The band didn’t have a huge repertoire so the setlists are similar, but thankfully there’s so much improv involved you get two different experiences. Frogwings welcomed Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes to guest on “Hot’lanta” to end the show on the 9th. Both shows display just how quickly Derek Trucks was at an early age. He holds his own throughout each performance though he couldn’t even legally drink at the time. Derek would soon join his uncle as a full-time member of the Allman Brothers Band. What also stands out is Butch’s powerful freight train approach to the drums. With only one drummer in the band, the elder Trucks’ skill set is on full display. Then there’s Oteil who plays deep in the pocket throughout and throws in plenty of scat singing.

Each full show video below features crispy soundboard audio taped by Dave Nolan and pretty good fan-shot footage (especially considering the difficulties of shooting at a packed Wetlands) captured by Tom P. Thanks to Face First Productions and uploader Kevin Tobin for sharing the historic videos.

Frogwings – February 9, 1999 @ Wetlands Preserve

DVD 1 Set 1: Kickin’ J.S. Bach, Wetlands Shuffle, Hurdy Gurdy Fandango, Feel For You, Pattern 00:46:22

DVD 2 Set 2: Cut Mullet, Among Your Pillows, Just One, Ganja, Deviant Dreams, Nomad, Band Intros, Hot Lanta (w/ Warren Haynes) – 01:26:56

Frogwings – February 10, 1999 @ Wetlands Preserve

DVD 1 Set 1: Kickin’ J.S. Bach, Wetlands Shuffle, Hurdy Gurdy Fandango, Feel For You, Pattern 00:47:29

DVD 2 Set 2: Cut Mullet, Among Your Pillows, Just One, Ganja, ??, Superstition, Nomad