Last Saturday saw a choice bill of bands at Mishawaka Amphitheatre headlined by Melvin Seals and JGB. The event was curated by the organizers of Ventura’s Skull and Roses and One Spark, which helped bring openers The Alligators from L.A.
The late afternoon crowd was treated with boisterous “whiskey-soaked” Ron “Pigpen” McKernan tunes from the hard-driving sextet, illuminating their absence in the Grateful Dead’s shows after his passing. It was satisfying to hear them as a collected set nonetheless. “Hard to Handle” hit hardest in this department—a big crowd pleaser. Pete-Pen welcomed Mishawaka icon Boots to kick in some harp on “Big Boss Man” and “Easy Wind”, adding that extra Pigpen grit to the mix. “Alligator” and “Midnight Hour” delivered a groovy closing jam, confirmed with the audience’s alligator-chop ovation.
Colorado’s own Dead Floyd took the stage as dusk fell, keeping the vibe as warm as the calm canyon evening. “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot” made for an appetizing start, dissolving into Pink Floyd’s mesmerizing “High Hopes”. “Ship of Fools” in the followup slot showed just how compatible the two bands’ catalogs are. “Have a Cigar” raised the energy back up, moving with ease into “The Music Never Stopped”. Here, guitarist Charlie Humphries and saxophonist Andrew Vogt shone with captivating solos, while Matt Goldberg‘s keys drove Floyd’s “Sheep”. A return to “Slipknot” signaled that “Franklin’s Tower” would wrap the set with everyone dancing.
JGB shows are a celebration buoyed by Melvin’s irrepressible voice on the Hammond organ and enhanced by the recent addition of John Kadlecik (Furthur, DSO, Golden Gate Wing Men) on lead vocals and guitar. Saturday’s setlist ensured uplifting vibes and joyful singalongs, starting off with staple “How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved by You)” followed by King Floyd gem “I Feel Like Dynamite”. The always-charming “What A Wonderful World” saw even the stoic patrons that were standing along the back fence start bopping and echoing the timeless words.
The band put its foot on the gas for “Rhapsody in Red” before moving into “Tore Up” and another huge singalong, “Quinn the Eskimo”, each with extended solos from John K and Melvin that lit up the capacity crowd. There’s no overlooking the solid driving rhythm work by drummer Jeremy Hoenig, locked in with bassist JP McLean, who also provided vocal harmonies. More JGB-musts closed out the night: “That’s What Love Will Make You Do”, “My Sisters and Brothers”, and finally “Reuben and Cherise”. Five hours of outstanding music at the incomparable Mishawaka gave this photographer quite a workout, and hundreds more smiles than could be caught in a lens.
The post Melvin Seals & JGB Team Up With Pigpen Tribute The Alligators & Dead Floyd In Colorado [Photos/Review] appeared first on L4LM.
