Umphrey's Mcgee 12/30/12 At the Tabernacle

I know this one is not from the show, but the YouTube videos don't capture their greatness. This is one that was recorded straight from the soundboard.


It was one great year for the touring giant, Umphrey's Mcgee. Every year, I look forward to the possibilities that arise with the new years runs for concerts. I had choices from Phish, the String Cheese Incident, Gov't Mule, but ultimately decided to watch Umphrey's Perform in Atlanta.

I got a late start on the night, but once it started I don't think I could have made a better decision. The early Bright Lights was the start to my night and although I had missed Jajunk, Water and Rocker (some of my personal favorites, I had still made it in time for the guest of the evening and plenty of show stoppers along the way. Jeff Waful, the lighting and design head for Umphrey's Mcgee, was working his magic on the tune Bright Lights, when all of the sudden the band stopped playing and went right into Eric Clapton's Cocaine. I was not the least bit surprised. The musicianship of these fellows is almost unrivaled, in my opinion, and the masterful way they switched seamlessly from Bright Lights to Cocaine was just another way to prove this.

My personal  highlight of the night came with the playing of Shine On You Crazy Diamond. I know that many do not appreciate the cover of other people's music, but this is a different story. Umphrey's was note for note spot on with the classic Pink Floyd masterpiece, but also put their own spin on it. Their was no saxophone player, but the song felt as full as the original. Hearing my favorite band cover one of the staples of classic rock was a special moment for me.

The night kept going when they invited Jeff Coffin, previously the saxophone player for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and currently of the Mu'tat and Dave Matthews Band, came on for Night Nurse and absolutely slayed. He just walked on stage and started wailing away on the saxophone. The applause rang throughout the theater in an almost electrifying way. He stayed on for one song, he must have been saving his chops for New Year's Eve, and that was enough for me.

After a mountain of applause, they came out for the encore playing their classic tune, In the Kitchen. This was a perfect way to end off the evening and prepare for the next night of raging that is always involved in going to an Umphrey's Mcgee show.

I have now seen the band 4 times and they continue to get better with every show I see them. The last time I saw them, it was the lead singers birthday and they decided to play Bennie and the Jets for the first time. I had a blast talking to all of the fans afterwards about how cool it was to see them play something for the first time. I drove all the way to Bridgeport, Ct, from my house and it was well worth it. I would never hesitate to go see them play. Each member of the band brings a special talent to each show, that makes it such a special occasion to be at the event. When you are there, you never know what may happen.