Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Mickey Hart - Fillmore @ Irving Plaza NYC 7-15-08

I hesitate to write a review for this show because I didn't really get it. Was it good? Was it bad? I can't really say.

The band came on around 9:20. The place was I'd say was a little short of 2/3 full.

They opened with Shakedown Street that didn't sound so good to me. Other tunes I recognized were Self Defense, Eyes of The World, Good Lovin' and The Other One. None of them really did that much for me, though I did enjoy Good Lovin and especially The Other One. I guess my biggest complaint was that a lot of the music seemed at such a high range. Jen's voice is high, Kimmock guitar was high, the keyboards were high. It was if you cranked up the treble on the stereo.

They did hit some nice grooves on some of the new tunes none of which I recognized.

About half the jams were painful to me because of Kimmock's screeching guitar.

It was also a bit disconcerting to watch Kyle Hollingsworth. He has these weird facial things going on and his singing style is somewhat off-putting. I have to say, he didn't do much for me. I had high hopes that he would help make this band special.

I'm a long-time pre-Mule fan of George Porter, Jr. He's really the reason I went. A lot of his bass was drowned out by the highs from the other players but when he did break clean, the sound was great. Also, he should just sing every song. At least it would bring something from the lower registers to the mix. If anything, the band really missed on the low end. I blame Kimmock and Hollingsworth for that. They have the ability to bring that and didn't.

And Mickey....waaaaaayyyyy too much cowbell on Eyes Of The World. To me that song is supposed to flow in its own space and this version failed to do that. Too percusive and again on the high end.

I'm glad I only paid $20 to get in. I split after The Other One, not wanting to press my luck as I did genuinely enjoy that number.

Sorry to sound so negative. I really don't mean to be. Go Mickey! and all that. It really wasn't that bad an experience for me. I liked that there was room to move around and I did like a few of the jams and a couple of the songs. You know, it was about what I expected though I thought with such a diverse band they would have diverse sounds and to me a lot of it sounded the same.

I wouldn't pay to see them again unless they replace Hollingsworth with Henry Butler and Kimmock with Tab Benoit. Then they could really do Iko-Iko justice.

I loved the show last night. It was the best Mickey Band show I've seen. They got into some great grooves and jams last night.

They're in town tomorrow and I've been looking forward to it for awhile. Still sounds like they have George reigned in a bit, hope that's not true. I'm not expecting an all-star Dead tribute, just wanna' dance! Thanks for the review.

>>"I wouldn't pay to see them again unless they replace Hollingsworth with Henry Butler and Kimmock with Tab Benoit. Then they could really do Iko-Iko justice."

Always good to see a reference to my man, Henry, and Tab, both of whom are way fun/funky.

>>They're in town tomorrow and I've been looking forward to it for awhile

It's a no-lose proposition. You'll enjoy it. I was stone cold sober for the show and I think it's better appreciated otherwise.

setlist from the paper on stage


Set 1
Shakedown
Manilla Farewell
7 seconds
Self Defense
Tolongo
Fountains of Wood
Eyes
Good lovin

Set 2
The center Prelude
The center
Strange World
Your House
The Other one
Arabian Wind
The Other one
Sugaree
Scarlet
Fire
E: Papa Was a rolling stone> Iko Iko

Thanks. That was pretty much it from what I remember. Now it's coming back to me. I left when they started playing Sugaree. Just couldn't see them pulling it off. I probably would have enjoyed Scarlet>Fire and the encore.

You should never apologize for a negative review if that's what you really thought. That's the whole point of writing a GOOD review; tell us what you really thought.

Thanks for a good review.

apparently there was a soundboard patch allowed. can't wait to hear it!

Happy to hear there's a board of this coming out so we can get an idea of what this was supposed to sound like. The mix at Irving is a big problem with anything more than a five piece band. The sound last night SUCKED (as it did for the Neville Brothers two weeks ago). The drums sounded like mush - couldn't tell the traps from Mickey's percussion from the talking drum and, as noted above, Kimock was near oppressive. That said, I was primarily there to see George and he delivered. Good Lovin', Your House, The Other One and Scarlet>Fire were highlights. Security was under orders not to remove anyone for smoking and was consequently lax. All in all a really good night that could have sounded a whole lot better. Would love to see this band at the Nokia (say what you will, the place is sonically near perfect).

I saw two of these shows , NJ and Long Island,
and thought they sounded just Great. Really outstanding players , great jams,
flowing sound, really one of the best sounding bands ive ever heard on the jam band circuit.
I would reccommend checking this band out for something real and different.

Sorry Grady, your review doesnt make much sense ,
to me atleast. You sound confused and unaware.

>>You sound confused and unaware.

Confused? Maybe.

Unaware? No.

Glad you thought it was great! I wish the band nothing but success.

There's a SWEET sounding recording of this show up on the archive
http://www.archive.org/details/mhb2008-07-11.jwmod .akg.463.v2.722.suraci.sbeok.flac16
Internet Archive: Details: Mickey Hart Band Live at Penn's Peak on 2008-07-11

I think they sound pretty damn impressive!! Especially for a band that hasn't played all that much together. It's tight, polished, high energy, and has moments of real 'psychedelic' sweetness.

I'd even travel to see this band. Sure do hope they play the PacNW sometime soon.

Ooops

the real link is:

http://www.archive.org/details/mhb2008-07-15
Internet Archive: Details: Mickey Hart Band Live at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza on 2008-07-15

the penns peak sounds good, too.

The Papa Was A Rolling Stone was TREE-mendous. I love me some George!

>>>You sound confused and unaware.


Why, because he didn't like a band or show that you did?

I saw this band for $7.00 and thought it wasn't even worth that.

To each their own.

Signed, Evidently Also Confused And Unaware

The one intriguing thing about the Omaha show was that Mickey's band played "Fire" FOLLOWED BY "Scarlet"!! Never heard that b-4!