Billy and the Kids
Forums:
Glad I saw Billy K before he quits playing, but overall I like a more soulful guitarist /vocalist in the Jerry seat. And unfortunately, the second drummer obscured Billy's playing, which was the main reason why I was there. He definitely had the Phil "I'm the conductor" attitude throughout, but his drumming wasn't the centerpiece of the band except for a few "duo-solos". Instead of two drummers playing in tandem, a la Grateful Dead, this was more like "get a guy to play like a madman, and I, Bill the legend, will add the flourishes or do whatever I want to." Billy proved his point, he could hang with the kids, but barely.
The music was a bit too frantic for me -- almost bordered on JRAD -- and the casio-like keyboard sets the tone for a band that is more crescendo-focused than emotive. The antithesis of Bobby's Wolf Bros methodically and deliberately (and slowly) exploring the storytelling aspect of covering Dead tunes. Not a transcendental moment for reflection in the entire show -- it was get up and go the whole time. More coke music than LSD, even though they played a Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds at one point. The band was talented and really into it, but it all seemed geared to the Deadco (or Phish) crowd in a way -- all the trappings of a Grateful Dead show but missing...something essential.
All in all, less satisfying for me than the Jazz is Dead or the Dark Star Orch I saw last week. But I guess it's good if you want to party with old friends in a Grateful Dead environment or watch young hippy women learn the moves. Nothing wrong with that.
- Log in to post comments
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jay Sunshine
^^^How was the lightshow
^^^How was the lightshow Stone? Billy posted that he invited the 'Mad Alchemy liquid light scientists' to to the job a few days ago on the 'Gram.
Good? Great? Meh?
Assuming this is the same group -> https://www.madalchemy.net/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Presale-purchase nonsense,
Presale-purchase nonsense, fluctuating pricing, expensive tickets, price gouging service fees, mandatory cell phone e-tickets so you have to carry a phone with you, metal detectors, $5.50 bottles waters that you can't buy with cash, $17 cans of shitty beer, cell phones blocking sightlines, covid resurgence, seizure inducing light shows...welcome to the future.
One good thing....this was the first big Dead related show in Baltimore since Maryland legalized so it smelled like Northern California.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
^How was the lightshow?<
^How was the lightshow?<
Well, before the show started I wandered down behind the soundboard and saw the 5 overhead projectors with liquid lights and as a former light show guy, was initially very excited.
It was cool that they could project on the roof, but it was mostly static images that looked digital. It was like they forgot to use them. Maybe it was too light out most of the show. Big disappointment.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: NYC
Hi All,
Hi All,
Tickets are now taken. Thanks for the review Alan.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
I watched about 30 minutes
I watched about 30 minutes and turned it off.....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Semolina Pilchard
Sorry to hear Billy & the
Sorry to hear Billy & the Kids didn't do it for you, Alan, but it's Woz's comment that I find really surprising. I can't remember seeing you post a negative review ever, Paul.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Woz
I thought it was absolutely
I thought it was absolutely awful and Bill can't drum anymore. It would have been a complete disaster if he didn't have another drummer up there, I felt sorry for him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Sorry to hear that James
Sorry to hear that James Casey won't make it on Friday. Sorry-er still that he's in the hospital with colon cancer....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
I agree that from my
I agree that from my perspective Billy is washed up as a performing drummer and has been for a while, which is why he needs the second drummer, and is very possibly why he moved/was moved away from D&C. Nothing against Jay Lane, but when Lane totally out-performs you something is seriously awry.
I will say about this group though, this was just their first show, right? And they're playing GD music and jamming, right? I think we all know from experience that this type of band playing this type of music very often needs to get their legs under them before they begin to gel.
Personally, while I like some of the players I have no interest in this band, but it's probably a mistake to make final judgments about them based on their first show.
Hopefully they warm up and folks enjoy the shows.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
<Hopefully they warm up and
<Hopefully they warm up and folks enjoy the shows.>
Now my lovely wife really enjoyed the show -- but she is attracted to the whole "like-minded souls, community sing-along, Bill is passing along the scene to younger generation" kinda experience. And she likes the faster, danceable pace.
I'm an old, cynical-but-realistic-optimistic curmudgeon trying to really listen for mind-expanding music while enjoying the scene. It seldom tickled my GD deep funny bone, even though I was moving most of the show. (And dancing on concrete between rows of seats is quite challenging compared to the bar-carpet and the grass field that I utilized at last week's Dead-related shows.) And I was just smoking on top of a light edible -- maybe that had something to do with it.
I've had the pleasure of Billy moving my bones for 48 years and I enjoyed seeing a living legend, but his latest band was just ok. In my humble opinion, Grateful Dead music should be more deliberate; not so flailing. They did what they do well (especially when they went outside the GD song structure), but my overall impression was that Billy built himself an energetic Dead cover band where he was the elderly sit-in guest. More power to him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jg8142
That was not their first show
That was not their first show. And they'll never gel like you're expecting as they will never play enough shows in the same run. It's usually like a show or two and then nothing for 6 months. This band is a handful of shows a year at most, if that.
And they always had that JRAD vibe with Hamilton playing so I'm surprised by the review of the show. I'm going tomorrow night so I'll report back.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
>>>Grateful Dead music should
>>>Grateful Dead music should be more deliberate; not so flailing<<<
Did you like the Hallowed Q?
And I didn't mean that this was their first show ever, just their first show in quite a while, with just a couple days of rehearsal. And from the photos of their rehearsals it looked like there was more smoking than rehearsing going on.
Anyway, even a band that plays the same rehearsed show every night needs time to warm up on stage, but even playing improv a band of good musicians can gel after a couple or even one show, and I'd bet that will happen with these folks.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Semolina Pilchard
Nugs sneak peak from last
Nugs sneak peak from last night:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9K00fgAwbA&t=1050s
The Wheel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ezrG-8tH6k
Terrapin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15YmspMGXIE
LSD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k4YCpUvkeI
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
Tomorrow night
Tomorrow night
https://youtu.be/puM1k-S86nE
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
>Did you like the Hallowed Q?
>Did you like the Hallowed Q?<
Multi-level answer:
1) Well, I liked most everything Phil did / does, including the Q.
2) I probably liked the preQ era (from the Broken Angels thru the Kimock era to the invite-the-players-from-the-next-generation-jam-bands renditions) a little better, due to the venues and the novelty. And I was single then.
3) I prefer Allman Bros Warren over Grateful Dead Warren, so not so hallowed for me.
4) Even chocolate cake gets boring after a while.
5) I saw most of my Q shows in the Bay area and slept in my own bed afterward, so what's not to like?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Nice play Trailhead .....
Nice play Trailhead .....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
>>>I prefer Allman Bros
>>>I prefer Allman Bros Warren over Grateful Dead Warren<<<
Ditto.
And thanks. I haven't had the chance to use "Hallowed Q" in quite a while.
That always gives me a chuckle.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
See you in an hour.
See you in an hour.
Remember friends, if you are going tonight, doors 5 show 6! Curfew 10.
I'll be with Mrs. Trailhead tonight. You can spot her by her dress. Come say hello!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
8-18-23 @ Pier 17 NY, NY
8-18-23 @ Pier 17 NY, NY
Set 1
China Cat >
How Sweet it is to be Loved by You
Sneak Peek
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WhZVXsfeo
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
8-18-23 @ Pier 17 NY, NY
8-18-23 @ Pier 17 NY, NY
Set 1
China Cat >
How Sweet it is to be Loved by You
Truckin'
The Race is On
Candyman
When I Paint my Masterpiece
Black Muddy River
Cumberland Blues
Built to Last
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
Set 2
Set 2
Drums >
Could you be Loved (Bob Marley)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
I'm glad that the old band
I'm glad that the old band members are still out there, but kinda fail to see why anyone has any kinda expectations of the show being good. I mean...I get it but...
the hallowed Q...well I guess it is and was due to Phil resurrecting the old heavy songs which hadn't been given any love in 30 yrs.
it's weird because, yeah Im not a warren fan in a gd setting...what canudo?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Semolina Pilchard
It was the heavy old songs in
It was the heavy old songs in part, but mostly it was the musical chemistry those five guys had.
https://jambands.com/features/2023/08/07/jambands-25-phil-lesh-and-the-alchemy-of-a-quintet/
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
8-18-23 @ Pier 17 NY, NY
8-18-23 @ Pier 17 NY, NY
Set 1
China Cat >
How Sweet it is to be Loved by You
Truckin'
The Race is On
Candyman
When I Paint my Masterpiece
Black Muddy River
Cumberland Blues
Built to Last
Set 2
Drums >
Could you be Loved (Bob Marley) >
Uncle Johns Band >
Bird Song >
Liberty
Take me to the River
Wharf Rat >
Franklins Tower
Wake up Little Susie
And we bid you Goodnight
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
That was great, loved it,
That was great, loved it, some sloppies, who gives a rats ass, old man and kids a rocking! Feel blessed for every moment we get to share as time rolls on! Thank you BIll for a real good time (and his drumming is just fine ya bunch of Karens, now wash your finger tips off with soap, lol)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Just back to the hotel.
Just back to the hotel.
OMG, that was balls out Friday night rock N roll in the church of the GD. 110% enjoyed it
A 'Masterpiece' that started with a bass solo worthy of The Other One.
Watched Billy closely to form my own opinion on his drum chops - he seemed fully there and pulling the train all night when the "Kids" left some room.
It seemed as tight as a P&F, Billy & Kids show could be. I was very impressed.
Birdsong made me cry in acknowledgment of loss, but then brought me up to joy.
Totally satisfying night .... may these old fuckers keep on turning on the next generation of players
I hope to be there to watch it as long as I can ....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call"
E
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Druba
Billy and the Kids 08.18.2023
Billy and the Kids 08.18.2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDsgBZQf-z8
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Good quality multi cam....
Good quality multi cam.... niiiiiice
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Oh .... I get the source ....
Oh .... I get the source .... thanks