It’s not often that a concert is so enjoyable that I forget to take my notebook out and write down some notes in the hopes of including more details for you, our faithful reader. Tonight was one of those amazing nights. From the opening strains of “Spaz Medicine” to the final notes of an incredible Allman Brothers cover of “One Way Out,” moe. Didn’t give me an opportunity to think about things like notebooks or pencils. It was an evening of kicking it and dancing, to party and to forget about life for a while. And with moe.’s music in the background, it was very easy to let go.

The band was in better form than usual -- which is saying a hell of a lot – and played two extended sets. As always, moe. proved to be a group that loves to play live, and whether they like it or not, are left carrying the torch for latter day saints such as the Grateful Dead and Hot Tuna. Four-hour shows are not uncommon, and tonight would have gone on even longer if not for Roseland’s curfew, which they exceeded nonetheless.

Al Schnier offered stellar guitar work, roaming the frets fervently and judiciously as always. Rob Derhak, who appeared as if he had lost the weight equivalent to that of a small human body, jammed his little ass off on the bass, while Chuck Garvey wrung those notes out of his guitar with the aplomb of a gem cutter working on the Hope Diamond. Some sweet keyboard work helped fill things out nicely, while Jim Loughlin, their second drummer, added layered rhythms to Vinnie Amico’s exhilarating beats.

Overall, it was a truly splendid evening, with the band playing to a sold-out hall, the audience shoulder-to-shoulder, hot, and sweaty, the way any good audience should be after that kind of night. If you haven’t seen their show before, get out there and see them! You can even join the moe. weight loss plan and lose excess poundage thru shaking your ass off; it worked for Rob!
moe.

Roseland Ballroom

(New York, NY)

review and photo by j bloomrosen