Strangeways Brewing Fredericksburg
There was a heavy Richmond contingent as Suggesting Rhythm and fans took over Strangeways Brewery on Saturday March 27, 2021 in Fredericksburg. The heavy traffic pushed back the start some but by 4:30pm the boys took the long narrow stage. Due to space on the stage the Richmond Rhythm Devils took center stage, each flanked by two members.
The first set shot off like a rocket with 'Alabama Getaway' leading the charge. The energy was incredibly high and the tempo followed suit into 'Althea' next and the band was really starting to get revved up. Wasting zero time they fired right into maybe the best 'Feel Like a Stranger' SR has ever played and showing everyone why they're Virginia's best jam band. Next up was Robert Hunters 'Might as Well', the lead track from the 1976 Reflections album. As usual it was one good ride from start to end. Keeping the tempo high they rolled into 'Loose Lucy'. It was here that Steve jumped in and treated the fans with his first solo of the night. Dylan was on deck now and Dave dazzled us with the complicated lyrics of 'Tangled up in Blue'. Here we had our first of two new breakout songs on the day. It was a JGB repurposed Eric Clapton song from 1985 'See What Love Can Do'. Closing out the first set was a rousing 'Ramble on Rose'. Clocking in at just over an hour this set was one of the shortest in SR history but definitely on the most upbeat and dance worthy!
Rain started during the set-break but by 6 o'clock the band was back in line on stage and immediately commenced to beckoning the good weather back with the ‘Here Comes Sunshine’. The boys were really having fun experimenting with jamming in different keys and and feeling no pressure from the clock. This wound its way around eventually into 'The Wheel' who's jam led us into the final breakout of the night. John Lennon's master work of fantasy, 'Imagine' from the 1971 album with the same name. Originally slated to be instrumental by the Grateful Dead, SR called an audible and delighted the crowd with a great lyrical rendition. We moved on to the 1967 Revolver album next for a second Beatles number 'Tomorrow Never Knows' which cut out into the iconic 'Drums' spot. With a quick break the boys were back on stage. A loud bass drop from Ed kicked off a transcending space that captured the essence of a phenomenon only the Dead could create. Notes and sounds swirled and coalesced in the seeming void of space until it materialized into an emotion packed 'Stella Blue'.
Noticing the time Adam made his turn at changing calls at the line and the boys went off script for a bit. They jumped into an unscheduled 'Bird Song' that bled into the 'The Other One' and then back into 'Bird Song' in a stellar improvisational performance. Staying off script Steve stepped up next for a pigpen favorite ‘Turn on Your Love Light' that spurred Oakleys energy the rest of the night and saw the two musicians almost dueling. Aiming back at the set list we got a 'Not Fade Away' that teased Stranger again which was also a small theme throughout the day. Finally the set closed with a screaming 'One More Saturday Night' that had everyone yelling at the end. Personal favorite encores thanks to ‘Back to Future’ as a child, ‘Johnny B Goode’ closed the night.
Turning in a close to 2 hour non stop second set made this one a must hear show! The extended jams, especially in 'Loose Lucy' , 'Feel Like a Stranger' and 'Lovelight' were highlights in a jam heavy show!
LISTEN HERE - https://www.suggestingrhythm.com/music
