Steve Kimock 5/18/12 Beachland Ballroom

I have seen Steve Kimock before but always playing in some one Else's band, Rat Dog, The Dead.  I was really looking forward to tonight seeing Steve perform his own music with the star studded group of musicians that he surrounded himself with.  Steve has 10 guitars on stage and through out the night will use them all.  Other than Steve Kimock, also on the stage was Bernie Worrel one of the best on keyboards in the industry  hailing from Parliment Funkadelic and the Talking Heads.  Bernie adds a bit of music royalty to any band he decides to sit in with.  Bernie does know how to Jam and this was going to be a Jam Band night.  Andy Hess on Bass from Gov't Mule and the Black Crows really fits in better with  this type of music format than he did with Gov't Mule.  The free form Jazz lets him play to his potential.  Wally Ingram from Sheryl Crow on drums, army helmet wood blocks, cymbals with beads that make a swooshing sound and other fun little doo dads to beat on. 

The night starts out with "Congo Man Chant" with hints of "Get Up Stand Up" we are jamming.
the sing along song "Whack" is next which had the whole crowd sounding like a bunch of ducks.  Whack...Whack Whack.  This was a fun song.

The rest of the first set ranged from Jazz based songs to rock and roll, to Jerry Garcia sounding jams with songs such as "Thing One", "One For Brother Mike", "High and Lonesome" and "You're The One".

The band takes a break and starts out with "Space" then drifts into a wonderful version of "Stella Blue".  They then drift in and out of "Its Up To You" "Better Get In Your Soul","Its Up To You".  They finish on a high note with "Take Me To The River".

This was not a show for everyone.  There was some very good moments of Jamming and musical playing where the crowd is dancing.  BUT, there were long periods where the crowd was just standing and staring at the stage.  These periods are when the band is playing what I call experimental music.  This might be fun for the musicians but it loses me and obviously the rest most of the rest of the crowd.  I don't mind a little of the experimental noise making but the second set just had a bit too much.  For me the experiment failed.  Steve Kimock is a wonderful guitarist, Bernie Worrel as I said is royalty on keyboards, Andy Hess is a very accomplished Bass player and Wally Ingram is fun on the drums but while they are having fun doing there experiment the crowd just stares.  Sorry but I give this show only 3 twirls.