I was digging out some old cd's and remembering the glory days of the early '90's when I would, like so many other musicians in the know, hobble down to the Variety Playhouse or, better yet, the Cotton Club when it was on Peachtree St. in Midtown. At these venues I witnessed some of the greatest jam-band shows ever. Yes indeed, we're talking about the beloved Col. Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit. What an incredible and original force these folks were when they got up on stage together. Bruce Hampton is still at it, and my bud Mark Letalien toured with him for a couple of years. He is one of my true brushes with greatness! Bruce Hampton, Jimmy Herring, Oteil Burbridge, Matt Mundy, Jeff Sipe, Count M'Butu, and even Chuck Leavell (appearing on their self-titled album recorded at the Georgia Theatre) - that was the lineup. It may never happen, as Matt Mundy has withdrawn from the public eye, as far as I know. The licks he played on his electric mandolin were so fresh, albeit bop-influenced to the max. His tone on that thing was so sweet, sitting in the mix beautifully alongside Jimmy's fire-breathing guitar tone for days and Oteil's Modulus 6-string scatting/chordal compin'/highly nuanced bassdom. Oteil gave me the impetus to go out and get that 6-string bass. Sadly, I got a cheap Ibenez. Replaced the pickups and preamp eventually and still have that bass. Hey, I left out Jeff Sipe - a real monster on the drums who pushed the beat in such a way that you were leaning forward watching them up there, close to falling into the cat in front of you, but he never lost the pocket. Uncanny. I remember the Variety Playhouse show when Phish opened for Bruce & the ARU. Phish broke out their trampolines and then during the main set, Jeff had his long hair shaved off, while he played the kit, by a dancing ballerina with an electric razor! Now that's entertainment! Here is a great clip, directed by Billy Bob Thorton as a favor to Bruce (they were in Slingblade together) that captures a small part of the magic. Alas, no solo from Jimmy or Matt, but Oteil gets to shine and Chuck is perfect in his organ riffing. Check it out just to see Bruce all made up and looking a bit spiffy. The audio is the same track that is on the self-titled cd - kinda nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM8V5mMGYas&feature=youtu.be
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