Just when it seemed safe to put away the one-hitters and trim the sideburns, along comes this jam band supergroup: Blues Traveler frontman John Popper, journeymen jammers Jimmy Herring and Kofi Burbridge, and more than half of the most recent (at the time) incarnation of the Allman Brothers Band (Butch Trucks, his nephew Derek, percussionist Marc Quiñones, and bassist Oteil Burbridge). The resulting album, a live set captured before an appreciative crowd, kicks off with a 14-minute instrumental called "Kick N Bach," letting listeners know that this band's really serious about their chops, in a really humorous sort of way. Too bad the joke is on the band. None of Croakin at Toad's' eight songs is anything more than an excuse for extended, indulgent soloing. Imagine a Santana rehearsal from the early '70s with a stoned Toots Thielemans sitting in on harp. Oh, this project might have been a fun distraction for the participants, but for many fans it will be merely distracting. Maybe you had to be there, like back in the '70s. ~ Brian Beatty
Jam Band;John Popper,Butch And Derek Trucks,Marc Quinones++
Audio Mixer: Bud Snyder.
Recording information: The Wetlands, New York, NY; Toad's Place, New Haven, CT.
Frogwings: John Popper (vocals, harmonica); Jimmy Herring (guitar); Derek Trucks (slide guitar); Kofi Burbridge (flute, keyboards); Oteil Burbridge (bass); Marc Quinones (percussion).
Personnel: John Popper (vocals, harp); Jimmy Herring (guitar); Derek Trucks (slide guitar); Kofi Burbridge (flute, keyboards); Butch Trucks (drums); Marc Quiñones (percussion).
CMJ (9/18/00, p.3) - "...Worth listening to...[they] sound remarkably tight and fluid, working off one anothers' rhythmic patterns beautifully as they showcase their mind-blowing chops..."
Frogwings
2/9/99
Wetlands Preserve, NYC
Soundboard
Frogwings Lineup:
John Popper-Harmonica & Vocals
Derek Trucks-Guitar
Jimmy Herring-Guitar
Bass & Vocals-Oteil Burbridge
Keyboards & Flute-Kofi Burbridge
Drums-Butch Trucks
Percussion-Marc Quinones
Disc 1
1. Kickin J.S. Bach
2. Wetlands Shuffle
3. Hurdy Gurdy Fandango
4. Feel For You
5. Pattern
6. Tuning
7. Cut Mullet
Disc 2
1. Among Your Pillows
2. Just One
3. Ganja>
4. Deviant Dreams
5. Nomad
6. Encore Break
7. Hot 'Lanta*
*w/Warren Haynes on guitar
I was at both these shows and they were amazing. The walls were sweating the place was so packed that night, as was often the case. The Wetlands was a great place for bands to play deep into the night and stretching out into the wee hours to daylight. In that, they were like a latter day Fillmore East.
ReplyDeleteOn these nights, the band sounded as tight as if they'd been together for decades; great telepathy in the jamming.
A buddy of mine ran boards there and I was fortunate to get HQ tapes off of the DAT masters. Those and the pix I shot that night have kept the great memories alive. Another great share, Steve ;-)