Dogs in a Pile

Tonight's show was great. There was an opener--acoustic jam grass called Family Dog Band and there will be different openers for RVA and C'ville.

The Dogs played Cats Under the Stars for their Dead song. Of their own (I guess), Little Things, Bring it on up, Stranger, Writing on the Wall, Charley, Mr. Tooker (and others). Encore was a killer Space Captain. I'd venture 80% of the crowd knew nothing about Mad Dogs. Shame.

Their jams are so much better than the GD style because they stay together, rather than self-absorbed noodling. The drummer like a Kruetzman keeps driving the tunes. The two lead guitars, when they trade off, both remain involved. Each jam sounds like a series of teasers for another song, but it keeps flowing.

A about the guitar players--both are outstanding leads and solos. One plays finger style and the other flat pick--like Duane/Eric or Derek/Trey that magical night in Arrington.

Coincidentally, or maybe fortuitously, on my 30 minute drive home after the show, the jazz was on the radio, late 50's quintet style, which is pure jam, and the same jam as I just heard.