The HOF w\ Stanley Jordan
In all honesty, I don't know where to begin. I certainly can't begin to describe the feelings and emotions conveyed Saturday night in the words of a blog. Magic seemed to manifest when 4 time Grammy nominee and Billboard chart topping jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan joined Virginia's top Grateful Dead cover band Suggesting Rhythm and local musician Jon Beckner for a masterful evening.
The sold out crowd was treated to arguably the best set-list and show of the SR year. Jumping right out of the gate with Help\Slip\Franklin the energy was ramped high. The group melded almost instantly into a familiar ebb and flow, weaving their way through an amazing musical retelling of this iconic early Dead trilogy.
After a few quick sound adjustments the guys were back at it with an early placed 'China Cat Sunflower' into 'I Know you Ryder'. The enamored crowd, still reeling from the opening trilogy of tunes, was treated to a timeless instrumental conversation that seamlessly bridged the two classics together.
The setlist only got better when the opening notes of 'Dark Star' echoed. Quickly in and out of the first verse found a slow saddened and searching jam that melded back into the second verse. The second jam section was much happier as the music seemed to find what it was looking for and was forever grateful. This dove straight into 'All Along the Watchtower', a song that Suggesting Rhythm always seems to own. All three typical jam spots built on the last, Jordan and Drudge played back and forth complementing each other's style perfectly. The whole band came together and lifted the energy down the stretch and left an astonished fanbase howling in appreciation as the set closed.
A brief break brought the band back for round two. Not wasting any time they were right off into a very 80's sound electronic 'Bird Song'. Stretching it out over fifteen minutes long the guys flowed up and down, experiencing all the beauty this song can offer and a fantastic way to start the second set.
Jumping back to the early years, the band pulled out a fast high energy 'Alligator' that only clicked in at 4 minutes before transitioning into the bass heavy land of the 'Other One'. As he's known to do, Dave slipped in a lyric change and tipped his cap to the special guest with the line "... Cowboy Stan at the wheel…"
Thirty minutes and 3 songs deep in the set we come to Drums and then an interesting Space. Stanley Jordan came back alone for Space which eventually became a twenty minute elegant jazzy guitar solo version of 'Eleanor Rigby'. Eventually the rest of the band snuck back on stage and jumped in for an outstanding finish.
After a little tuning, a long slow organ began 'I Shall be Released'. Steve also offered up a nice organ solo that complemented the slow jams perfectly and led us to 'Viola Lee Blues'. Another unreal jam session served to solidify this show in the pantheon of SR greats.
A hearty thank you to Jon Beckner for putting the evening together and a quick round of band names brought up the encore and a first for Suggesting Rhythm, 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin
The highlights of the night were hard again because the show quality was, as always, astounding. The 'Slipknot' stands to me as does the 'Watchtower'.
The 2nd set was easily the 'Other One' and 'Viola'.
Rumors are, this will not be the last show with Stanley Jordan guesting and I hope that's the case, but for now we're on to the Beacon for New Years!
