Jam Bands
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By Rob Evanoff

Just what do Jambands have to DO with Jazz? Well, besides musicianship and long improvisational forays, I’m here to tell you that the answer may very well be hidden in a piece of rubbery String Cheese. I realized this a few days ago after having my first String Cheese Incident (actually “we”, it was the first incident for Lisa, my trusty photographer extraordinaire). My, my, my...it was mmm good! We Love Cheese! Well, there are those out there who may be asking themselves…you had a what? A String Cheese Incident? So either you’re now knowingly smiling because you’ve had an incident or a puzzled look has overcome you. Never fear for I am here to lead you down a long and wily road lined with String Cheese.

The String Cheese Incident (SCI), out on a National tour, hit Los Angeles for three consecutive nights, July 24, 25 & 26th. They were ranched up at the John Anson Ford Theater, better known for Shakespearean theatrical productions than live music but, nonetheless, the perfect setting for SCI. The Ford is an outdoor theater perched on one of the Hollywood Hills and sits across the 101 (freeway) from the Hollywood Bowl. The hills on either side of the stage frame the venue in, creating a natural shelter that protects peace, loving friends from the dingy urban decay of LA. On this night, the second in the trifecta, the sky was clear, the weather was pristine and the band hit the stage at a little after seven.

A sold out crowd of about 1200 immediately revved up and launched into a groovy barefoot shuffle & spin, a complete natural compliment matching the band’s mood. Within mere moments, it definitely didn’t seem like LA, it was like we had been transported up to San Fran or out to the band’s hometown of Boulder, CO for a night under the stars, gregariously swaying to the continuous wave of music.

The first set launched into both SCI originals and remarkable improvisations, infusing covers with freeform jamming that, at times, had an indelible Allman Bros stamp. After this 90-minute teaser, the band took a 25-minute break to refuel and then proceeded to come out and perform a rollicking acoustic set that featured Latin rhythms, bluegrass and plenty of roots rock. During this set, Michael Travis showcased some masterfully played conga and Michael Kang effortlessly switched between mandolin and violin, seemingly channeling fevered energy from the crowd.

SCI took yet another short break but then came back for the third set which pushed us over the edge of the cliff of bliss. Bassist Keith Moseley spearheaded the night’s final journey which seemed to last nearly 30 minutes, the last eight of those taking the crowd to a far off magical island in our collective mind. The swaying and dancing synchronized with the music and we elevated into orbit. There was such a good feeling that even after a 4-hour String Cheese Incident, I was ready for more. And more I got, cause I returned home and relived my euphoria by listening to their double live opus Carnival ’99.

Carnival ’99 smokes out of the gate with a rousing rendition of “Shenandoah Breakdown” before kicking into high gear with a 14 œ minute version of “Missin' Me” that rolls through so many textures, moods and atmospheres that one could believe that one may have listened to all of Disc 1, but it’s just one song. This pre-empts a cover of Jean-Luc Ponty’s “Mauna Bowa” which has a distinctly Dave Matthews feel to it and “Take Five” which lends a feel good syncopated “shuffle and pluck” to a jazzy acoustic swing.

Take note. Disc 1 will titillate the curious jazz connoisseur, but the real jazz exploration rears its wondrous head during the first half of Disc 2. SCI begins with a cover of Wayne Shorter’s “Footprints” where pianist Kyle Hollingsworth, manning his Rhodes, dishes out Shorter’s fluid saxophone lines before a segue into yet ANOTHER 14-minute crescendo laced original called “Don’t Say”. And then the long lost missing link between Jambands and Jazz is revealed as a 13-minute version of Weather Report’s “Birdland” (from Heavy Weather), replete with a honky tonk bluegrass breakdown is played with such feeling and conviction, you’d swear this band had just officially adopted Birdland as its Hippie Homeland. I know I’ve adopted a new band. Considering 3 hours of live music and 2 œ hours of live music via CD, The String Cheese Incident has found a home in both my CD collection AND my consciousness. Does this mean I’m a Cheese-head? Am I being String Cheesy?

Carnival ’99 is recommended for fusion fans and those who want to explore Jazz’s newest stepchild, but for the uninitiated, the amount of unencumbered fun one can have at one of their live shows is highly Incidental.

Rating (Carnival ’99): 4 out of 5 stars
Rating (John Anson Ford 7/25/00): 4.5 out of 5 stars

Track Listing (Carnival ’99): Disc 1 – Shenandoah Breakdown / Missin’ Me / Mouna Bowa / Barstool / Take Five / Hey Pocky Way / Black Clouds. Disc 2 – Lester’s Rant / Footprints / Don’t Say / Birdland / Hold Watcha Got / Jellyfish / Drum Jam / Texas

Personnel: Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes, accordion) / Michael Kang (five string electric & acoustic mandolin, violin) / Keith Moseley (five string electric bass, four string acoustic bass) / Bill Nershi (six string acoustic guitar) / Michael Travis (drums, congas, timbales, djembe, percussion)

Website: www.stringcheeseincident.com