July 31, 2021 - Harley Davidson
This has long been a weekend to celebrate the late Jerry Garcia's life and legacy, most often in concert, and this year was no different. The band and the fans alike were pretty excited to be returning to Richmond Harley Davidson for a second time and weren't disappointed. The spacious parking lot was packed but not over crowded and all __ fans had room to dance, and dance we did.
Unfortunately missing Jeff still, Noel was asked to carry the weight of the drums and did a bang up job all night long!
Rightfully, an upbeat version of the Jerry Garcia Band spiritual 'Sisters and Brothers' got things underway and the party was started. Mentioning unfinished business next we were led into a long opening 'Wheel' jam that unfolded into the 1st chorus before Steve punched up the organ and transitioned into the 'Hey Pocky Way' that was cut short due to lightning at the last show. Our own Big Steve bleeds passion and tonight exemplified that!
Fans that saw the setlist in Williamsburg, and were disappointed at the misses, were not let down tonight. 'Mr Charlie' came out next. As usual this song featured some excellent jamming action before slowing down and emptying into an unusually placed, 1st set tiny space jam that blended perfectly into 'Big Railroad Blues'. One of many songs performed by the Grateful Dead that were originally written and performed by blues artist Noah Lewis among other Dead hits. Suggesting hit the next gear in this jam and really started digging into the atmosphere.
Sticking with the blues stylings of Noah Lewis, the organ got revved up again and the band put out a blazing 'Viola Lee Blues' that probably had Mr Lewis himself dancing in his grave with teases from all over including 'China Cat' and maybe "Bathtub Gin" as Drudge and the guys were just having a great time and playing freely. Coming out of the 3rd jam of Viola, the quintet uncustomarily stumbled slightly through a difficult transition back into a 'Wheel reprise'. The subsequent slow wheel jam gave us all a second to catch our breath, and has a hidden 'Norweigian Wood' tease, before a perfect transition to the foreshadowing and faster paced number 'The Music Never Stopped'. The ensemble cranked the throttle on the last jam and closed the set to gasping cheers.
In true SR fashion, the 2nd set began with an unusual breakout. An instrumental version of the Soul Survivors hit 'Expressway (to your heart)'. Covered by Merl Saunders and Jerry Garcia, this song provides a lot of freedom to play and Suggesting Rhythm took full advantage. Personally, I hope this stays in the lineup, it was fantastic!
Afterwards, Dave mentioned watching a Bob Dylan documentary recently and the epic ballad 'Tangled up in Blue' flowed. Always energetic and peppy, the guys had me running circles in the parking lot on this one. We were all riding high and the band was wide open. Smoothly downshifting the band turned into 'Serve Somebody'. The Hunter\Garcia favorite 'Sugaree' was fired up next, and as always, carried a compliment of solos and jams that stole faces and kept the temperature up despite the waning sun.
After a quick tuneup, the band let it all hang out with 'After Midnight'. Steve tried out some interesting experimental sounds here on the organ and then Noel dropped the hammer on my favorite transition of the night into the Junior Parker blues rocker 'Mystery Train'. Played over a dozen times since being debuted 9\23\17 at the They Love Each Other festival, Suggesting always does Junior justice with their fiery version.
The second debut of the night was also a fitting JGB cover. A song I've honestly never heard before until tonight, 'The Maker's' by Daniel Lanois.
Sticking with the Jerry Garcia Band for the remainder of the evening, 'The Harder They Come' fell on the next slot followed by one of my many favorites 'Get Out of My Life Woman'. Super upbeat and bouncy, this song gets me every time. Nothing but energy by the score in this one and a great way to close a long incredible set.
Coming back to encore Dave made a sandwich joke I didn't get until halfway through 'Rueben and Cherise'. A long wonderful night was then closed with a band\crowd selfie combo that turned out great thanks to Dave Parrish Photography.
It was a different kind of night with space in the 1st set and no drums, but the unexpected is one of the many things Suggesting Rhythm does so well.
The first set highlights for me were the two tasty blues numbers back to back and the bass sounds. Whether the new sound system or Brent's mixing, Ed's bass shook me the whole first set like never before.
The 2nd set instrumental 'Expressway' opener was my favorite spot of the night. The transition into 'Mystery Train' as well as the song itself were also great and 'The Maker' debut I thought was a nice treat.
It was great to be back at Richmond Harley Davidson again and this coming Saturday at Licking Whole creek will certainly not disappoint.
