First Appeared in The Music Box, May 1996, Volume 3, #3
Written by John Metzger
Deadheads looking for a good party where they can dance to some of their favorites served up funky-style should check out Merl Saunders and his Rainforest Band. The current line-up of the band has been in place for several years and has grown together to lay down some tight, funky jams on many familiar tunes.
On May 9, Saunders and company made a return engagement at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago and laid down 2 sets of lengthy jams. The crowd was mixed, ranging from deadheads to wannabes to business folks checking out the club. When visiting Buddy Guy's, move to the far side, away from the bar to avoid the drunken fools who have yet to learn how to behave without irritating their fellow beings. Unfortunately, I didn't figure this out until the second set, which really put a damper on the first part of the show.
Saundres opened with a fairly standard rendition of (Finders) Keepers before pulling out an excellent version of Tore Up. The highlight of the first set was Saunders' tribute to Jerry Garcia, a fantastic version of Dark Star that soared in many different directions. Rather than stick to a straight rendition, Saunders and his band made it their own. The first set closed with a solid Sugaree.
The second set was nothing short of spectacular, opening with High-Heeled Sneakers. Saunders has been doing The Harder They Come for a long time, and this was a wonderfully paced version as guitarist Michael Hinton and Saunders traded solos, each taking the song to a higher level. The set concluded with a fiery flourish as the band first broke into Jimi Hendrix's Fire, with the audience providing a huge level of energy and enthusiasm. This led to the more mellow Dance of the Fireflies from Saunders' Blues for the Rainforest album. For this one, Saunders passed out to the audience his "toys," a number of percussion instruments. One audience member was invited on stage to play another "toy" from the rainforest. The set concluded with Fire on the Mountain. This version went on forever and was loaded with soaring guitar and keyboard solos. Boy, do I miss the Grateful Dead, but this one certainly carried me pretty far away. The encore was a brief pairing of Thank you Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin and I Feel Like Dynamite. Funky rhythms pounded from Michael Warren's bass, but due to the curfew, these two songs were hardly allowed to build to their potential. Off we went, dancing our way into the streets of Chicago and home to rest for the Bruce Hornsby show the next evening.
Knew crazy Charlie from Bakersfield whose dad was good friends with Merle. His dad went to HS with him and Buck Owens. His cousin is the guitar player for Korn. Met Charlie in Central America. He was one crazy person, but kind also. Last I heard he went missing. His sister was looking for him. Probably murdered as Dave said as he liked to drink and hit on women. Clark an old hippie from So. Ca.who owned Luna Azul in San Pedro de la Laguna said Charlie was the most out there guy he ever met. Me and Charlie traveled a few months together in 2002 maybe?.
I saw Merle in Columbus probably around that same 96 tour. Might have been '95 but it's been a while. Honestly, that show for the longest time stood out as one of the best times I have ever had at a show. I'm quite certain I had had a bit too much to drink and put on a bit of dancing show but the point is to go to the show and have a good time and I sure as hell did. The highlight was during set break when I got to sit with Merle on a plush velvet couch in the back. My college roommate was just starting the beginning of his photography career and snapped a shot of Merle and I on this magical purple couch. Alas, the photo never turned out (maybe over exposed) and I never even saw an inkling of that shot. It's a moment in time that was captured and now just left to my mind.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
Me too. Wish I had.
Me too. Wish I had.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call"
Patchwork Quilt
Patchwork Quilt
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Imagine
I saw him three times at the
I saw him three times at the Beacon when he was opening for Dylan, and I totally enjoyed his show.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thank You Phil
pass me the wheat straw..
pass me the wheat straw...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSdVPuRaiVA
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Across
I saw Merle open for Dylan as
I saw Merle open for Dylan as well, spring 2006 in Tucson. My last Dylan show.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sideshow Bob
I saw him as Dylan's opening
I saw him @ the Beacon as Dylan's opening act too - 2005 I think . . .
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: |-|/-\|_|_
any old timers see this show?
any old timers see this show?
https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-cover-3-merle-haggard-songs-show-1971
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Furious E
Met him a few months before
Met him a few months before he passed, seemed like a decent guy with a pretty cool family.
here's the republic paying tribute last weekend:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IDzlhDEJI08
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
We talking Merl or Merle?
We talking Merl or Merle?
Never saw either.
NRPS stepped in for Merle @ my 1st GD show.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call"
Merle Haggard and Kris
Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson "Okie From Muskogee" at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9NrZSFvdbkQ
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Mayor
The man had massive hands .
The man had massive hands .,when you shook his hand, his engulfed yours... Very Nice, cordial and approachable..
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: troubador
I saw him with his Rainforest
I saw him with his Rainforest band at Buddy Guy's in Chicago many moons ago.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
gottem 1x
gottem 1x
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
gottem 1x
gottem 1x
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: troubador
This is the show I saw!
This is the show I saw! Pretty cool to find this:
Someplace to Boogie
Merl Saunders
Buddy Guy's Legends - Chicago
May 9, 1996
First Appeared in The Music Box, May 1996, Volume 3, #3
Written by John Metzger
Deadheads looking for a good party where they can dance to some of their favorites served up funky-style should check out Merl Saunders and his Rainforest Band. The current line-up of the band has been in place for several years and has grown together to lay down some tight, funky jams on many familiar tunes.
On May 9, Saunders and company made a return engagement at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago and laid down 2 sets of lengthy jams. The crowd was mixed, ranging from deadheads to wannabes to business folks checking out the club. When visiting Buddy Guy's, move to the far side, away from the bar to avoid the drunken fools who have yet to learn how to behave without irritating their fellow beings. Unfortunately, I didn't figure this out until the second set, which really put a damper on the first part of the show.
Saundres opened with a fairly standard rendition of (Finders) Keepers before pulling out an excellent version of Tore Up. The highlight of the first set was Saunders' tribute to Jerry Garcia, a fantastic version of Dark Star that soared in many different directions. Rather than stick to a straight rendition, Saunders and his band made it their own. The first set closed with a solid Sugaree.
The second set was nothing short of spectacular, opening with High-Heeled Sneakers. Saunders has been doing The Harder They Come for a long time, and this was a wonderfully paced version as guitarist Michael Hinton and Saunders traded solos, each taking the song to a higher level. The set concluded with a fiery flourish as the band first broke into Jimi Hendrix's Fire, with the audience providing a huge level of energy and enthusiasm. This led to the more mellow Dance of the Fireflies from Saunders' Blues for the Rainforest album. For this one, Saunders passed out to the audience his "toys," a number of percussion instruments. One audience member was invited on stage to play another "toy" from the rainforest. The set concluded with Fire on the Mountain. This version went on forever and was loaded with soaring guitar and keyboard solos. Boy, do I miss the Grateful Dead, but this one certainly carried me pretty far away. The encore was a brief pairing of Thank you Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin and I Feel Like Dynamite. Funky rhythms pounded from Michael Warren's bass, but due to the curfew, these two songs were hardly allowed to build to their potential. Off we went, dancing our way into the streets of Chicago and home to rest for the Bruce Hornsby show the next evening.
Read more: Merl Saunders - Buddy Guy's - Chicago - May 1996 (Concert Review) http://www.musicbox-online.com/merl5-96.html#ixzz4VPvMEjgA
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Bucky Badger
Ain't no companion like a
Ain't no companion like a blue-eyed MERLE!!!
Especially STRIDER
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: joe
Knew crazy Charlie from
Knew crazy Charlie from Bakersfield whose dad was good friends with Merle. His dad went to HS with him and Buck Owens. His cousin is the guitar player for Korn. Met Charlie in Central America. He was one crazy person, but kind also. Last I heard he went missing. His sister was looking for him. Probably murdered as Dave said as he liked to drink and hit on women. Clark an old hippie from So. Ca.who owned Luna Azul in San Pedro de la Laguna said Charlie was the most out there guy he ever met. Me and Charlie traveled a few months together in 2002 maybe?.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Merle Haggard was fucking
Merle Haggard was fucking great to see live.
A brilliant singer with brilliant songs and a groovy, in the pocket band.
I got to see him a few times over the years and EVERY time was just great.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Blue Rose Task Force
http://www.youtube.com/watch
Willie and Merle ~ It's all going to pot....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6c6eUeoa9Q
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Imagine
I don't have them on this
I don't have them on this computer, but I have the setlists for the back three of five beacon shows.
Merle played Sing Me Back Home only on the first or second day.
I'll post them when I'm home. Maybe yall can help me fill in some song titles.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Zzzzzz
I saw Merle in Columbus
I saw Merle in Columbus probably around that same 96 tour. Might have been '95 but it's been a while. Honestly, that show for the longest time stood out as one of the best times I have ever had at a show. I'm quite certain I had had a bit too much to drink and put on a bit of dancing show but the point is to go to the show and have a good time and I sure as hell did. The highlight was during set break when I got to sit with Merle on a plush velvet couch in the back. My college roommate was just starting the beginning of his photography career and snapped a shot of Merle and I on this magical purple couch. Alas, the photo never turned out (maybe over exposed) and I never even saw an inkling of that shot. It's a moment in time that was captured and now just left to my mind.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jelly roll
Has the seadoggie been banned
Mama tried...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Chuck511
Only got to see Merle once in
Only got to see Merle once in June 2015. Such a great live performer. He had a really good band too.
Count Basie Theatre Red Bank, NJ 6/15
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Pipe Slingin'
Saw him twice - once @ Crest
Saw him twice - once @ Crest Theater in Sactown and once during the Dixon May fair which was a perfect setting for both. Great singer, great band.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe
Merl Saunders was the man
Merl Saunders was the man
i got a 1972 Jerry/Merl off etree over Christmas, when I get home I will see if it is still there
just unbelievable, so much soul