moe @ The Wellmont Theatre
March 30, 2017
Pictures by Thunderbird Ranch Ramble
There is a phrase about the Grateful Dead that says, “The Dead are like black licorice. Not everyone likes black licorice, but those that do, really love it.”
moe is not like black licorice. They are more like Umphrey’s McGee, but goofy and fun.
Their March 30, 2017 show at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ was quite the party. The show lasted three hours! It felt like a spacey carnival. I had a ball, except (and this is a big one) wasn’t that into the music.
Keeping with the food analogies…
Like tuna fish, each year I keep trying to acquire a taste for moe. After 5 shows over 5 years, I still don’t like it. At the advice of some close music friends, I will keep trying.
It was guitarist Chuck Garvey’s birthday and I decided to perch myself in front of him at the edge of the stage to watch the fun.
The show started with a kidney shaking organ and bass thump, blinding spaceship lights like an EDM band, and a whole lot of crowd enthusiasm. I liked it for a while, until the vocals hit and they lost me in their songs.
I must admit the song “Mexico” was a very welcome, heart-felt jam. It sounded like one of those quintessential Cream jams when Ginger Baker would foam at the mouth.
I must note that the band seemed like they had quite a bit of fun during the break between sets. Looks like they ate too much birthday cake (or something).
I will keep trying…
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