Happiness is a Great Show!

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey & The Lymbyc Systym both played great shows 11/30/05 at the Gypsy Tea Room. The crowd wasn't that big but everyone was pretty into it. I'll update this post with more setlist info when I can find it.

I had never heard of The Lymbyc Systym before, but my buddy Cory had received a tip from Johnny Blaze to check these guys out and the tip was spot on. I bought their new CD, Carved By Glaciers, at the merch table (I also picked up a pretty cool JFJO t-shirt) and listened to it when I got home. Its a short one (25 min), but its very good. I can guarantee that I won't miss the chance to see their show again. Its truly amazing the fullness of sound that comes from just 2 people (and a butt-load of electronics).

The Lymbyc Systym setlist from this 11/30/05 show at the Gypsy Tea Room is as follows: Invocation, Selamat Pagl (Donna's Song), Untitled #1, Untitled #2, Lotan Baba, 1000 Arms, Carved By Glaciers. (the bold songs appear on the album) I really enjoyed the show and look forward to my next chance to see the band.

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey hit the stage around 11:25 pm and played till just before 1:00 am. I have been truly lucky beyond description to be present (and in some cases front and center) for some awe-inspiring performances within the past year. JFJO was just the most recent. (UPDATE 12/2 - I MIGHT DRIVE DOWN TO AUSTIN FOR THE FRIDAY NIGHT SHOW @ STUBBS!) I am trying to get a group together to drive to Denton, TX for their Saturday (12/3/05) show at Hailey's, but if I can't, I'm going anyway. These are just 3 virtuosos playing their instruments (keys, drums, bass) at an extremely high level. Reed Mathis (pictured) is not of this planet. Brian Haas is as good as anyone I have ever seen on the keys. Jason Smart paints (figuratively) with his drums and played an outstanding solo at this show. (I think I stole that "paints with drums" image from some old Dave Matthews Band review I once read, oh well.) At this show, I stood closer to the stage, in front of the drums, than I am to my computer screen right now (in my yellow Michigan Football t-shirt if you were at the show).

All in all a tremendous evening at the Gypsy Tea Room. That was my 2nd show in the Tea Room (Rebirth Brass Band w/ Woodbelly was the other) and I really like that venue. I have seen 3 shows (I think) in the GTR's Ballroom (Galactic w/ Papa Mali, Keller Williams & Nickel Creek), but I much prefer the intimacy of the smaller Tea Room.

For this post (and all future posts) I will put up an initial review/description of the show as soon as I can following the show so it is fresh in my mind, then I will go back and fill in setlist and individual song details later. If you have soundboard (or any other recording) of any of these shows you see here or on the list I will soon post, please let me know because I try to keep a library and would LOVE TO GET A COPY!

Well, for all of me here at Michael's World, I'm Michael. You stay classy, planet earth. And thanks for stopping by. But mainly stay classy.