Spyro Gyra opened their headlining set at Humphrey's with a selection titled "Special Delivery" co-written by Jay Beckenstein and Scott Ambush.
Scott began the concert on his upright electric bass, plucking out a light, jazzy yet funky line. It was reminicent of a couple of the more moody, atmospheric cuts on 20/20...maybe the "Deep End". Featured Jay on sax and two short, laid back but effective solo's by Julio on his custom Ronaldo electric. Good mood setter.
"Cayo Hueso" followed...with Julio taking the solo that Dave Samuels had on the studio version. Stayed true the the original, until a two minute jazz rave up at the coda. Watch for this.
"Silk And Satin" was third...it was also true to the original, except that during the solo's, care was taken to alter them. Another trademark Spyro addition at the close. Excellent live number.
Jay brought out his tenor sax for the first time on Tom Schuman's "Captain Karma"...interesting, because on the original, he used a soprano. The was a middle section that featured a jazzy blues jam by Julio, and a speed of light synthesiser turn by Schuu.
A gorgeous take on Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", from Jay's upcoming side project record followed. Other than a stately, delicate piano solo, this was a Jay showcase, and absolutely awesome. Looking forward to that side project record!
Tom's "Midnight" was intro'd by a short but excellent solo by Joel Rosenblatt...featured a great sax turn by Jay, and an extended jazz piano trio section by Tom, Scott, and Joel, with light color by Julio. Intricate jazzy chords followed by those mind blowingly fast runs towards the end by Schuu.
Back to the new record, "Got The Magic"...we got "Havanna Moonlight" featuring Joel on a small standup kit. As I predicted, this one benefited from the trademark live embellishments that Spyro Gyra is famous for.
Solo's were extended and this one is even better live than on the record. Joel, Jay, Julio,and Schuu all had impressive turns here.
"Bob Goes To the Store" did indeed feature a hilarious narrative by Scott--his take on what actually happened when Kim wrote the song fro his friend Bob.

"Breathless"(introduced as 'Julio's Dream Version' by Jay, featured the scat vocal lifted from "Got The Magics" "Sierra", and an excellent straight ahead solo by Schuu. Good electric leads by Julio.
"Got The Magic" featured Julio and an audience participation ending.
Time constraints will cause me to finish this tommorrow.

Peace!
Paul

Thanks Paul for the review. Sounds like I'm in for a great concert the 27th of August from Spyro. Looking forward to hearing more comments.

Phil,

You are!
To finish my thought's about the Humphrey's gig, due to the fact that Mangione was allowed to play an extra tune(Chuck said he was supposed to be off five minutes before, bu his set ran long, and then he did aone last one dedicated to his son who learned to walk after doctors gave him little chance)...well Spyro had to cut "Pipo's Song" and "Rockin' a Heart Place"....but after "Got The Magic" closed the main set, the band returned for rave up versions of "Morning Dance" and "Breakfast At Igor's"...at the close, Jay told the one's in the crowd who had not left dur to the chilly wind coming off the marina, "To those of you who stayed, you are COOL!"

On Friday night at the Hyatt...well this was maybe the best gig of the three.
I won't go into specific's on all the songs, as the set list was basically the same. The only difference was that "Midnight" was given a night off, and "Pipo's Song" and "Rockin' A Heart Place" we back in.
Instead I will give some color commentary...the "emcee", in introducing Spyro Gyra, pointed out that less that 20 miles away, the Long Beach Jazz Festival was in full swing, and that it was a testiment to Spyro Gyra's durability and quality compositions and muscicianship, that the Hyatt Newporter was sold out. He also pointed out that the 24 year old band is expected to have THE number one song on the contemporary jazz charts next week, what with "Silk And Satin" continuing to rise.
On a personal note, I brought a few people along with me who had NEVER seen the band. I had told them that as great as Spyro Gyra is on the records, that they are 3 times better live. My friend Nol told me that I was wrong...that the band is 10 times better live!!!
My sister was at least as equally impressed as Nol...she is still raving about the concert 5 days later!
This is the God's honest truth:
When I bring people to Spyro Gyra concerts who have never seen the band, and they are as blown away as I remember being the first time I saw them(heck I STILL am!), it actually increases MY enjoyment of the concert by 5 or 10 per cent, know what I mean. I guess it's just gratifying that they "get it" too!

Enjoy the tour when it blasts into your town!

Peace!
Paul

P.S. Got to meet and talk with Tom and Scott, and Tom's new(3 years)bride, Evonne. The band is so nice, personable and down to earth, and Evonne is a sweetheart...she must have talked with my sister and I for a half an hour after the gig!!!

Phil,

You are!
To finish my thought's about the Humphrey's gig, due to the fact that Mangione was allowed to play an extra tune(Chuck said he was supposed to be off five minutes before, bu his set ran long, and then he did aone last one dedicated to his son who learned to walk after doctors gave him little chance)...well Spyro had to cut "Pipo's Song" and "Rockin' a Heart Place"....but after "Got The Magic" closed the main set, the band returned for rave up versions of "Morning Dance" and "Breakfast At Igor's"...at the close, Jay told the one's in the crowd who had not left dur to the chilly wind coming off the marina, "To those of you who stayed, you are COOL!"

On Friday night at the Hyatt...well this was maybe the best gig of the three.
I won't go into specific's on all the songs, as the set list was basically the same. The only difference was that "Midnight" was given a night off, and "Pipo's Song" and "Rockin' A Heart Place" we back in.
Instead I will give some color commentary...the "emcee", in introducing Spyro Gyra, pointed out that less that 20 miles away, the Long Beach Jazz Festival was in full swing, and that it was a testiment to Spyro Gyra's durability and quality compositions and muscicianship, that the Hyatt Newporter was sold out. He also pointed out that the 24 year old band is expected to have THE number one song on the contemporary jazz charts next week, what with "Silk And Satin" continuing to rise.
On a personal note, I brought a few people along with me who had NEVER seen the band. I had told them that as great as Spyro Gyra is on the records, that they are 3 times better live. My friend Nol told me that I was wrong...that the band is 10 times better live!!!
My sister was at least as equally impressed as Nol...she is still raving about the concert 5 days later!
This is the God's honest truth:
When I bring people to Spyro Gyra concerts who have never seen the band, and they are as blown away as I remember being the first time I saw them(heck I STILL am!), it actually increases MY enjoyment of the concert by 5 or 10 per cent, know what I mean. I guess it's just gratifying that they "get it" too!

Enjoy the tour when it blasts into your town!

Peace!
Paul

P.S. Got to meet and talk with Tom and Scott, and Tom's new(3 years)bride, Evonne. The band is so nice, personable and down to earth, and Evonne is a sweetheart...she must have talked with my sister and I for a half an hour after the gig!!!

Had the pleasure of attending Spyro Gyra's appearance at a benefit concert in Indian Canyon(in Palm Springs, CA).
The fact that many in the audience of 800 actually had their backs to the band for the whole concert made it tough for the band to connect. It was a filet mignon, sit down wedding reception style set up, with proceeds helping doctors/childrens programs in the area.
It was frusrating to hear all the constant yapping as the band tore through the first set. I had to restrain myself from standing up and yelling "SHUT UP!".
The ones who did pay attention got a fine performance from the band...albeit one where the band had little crowd energy to feed the extra adrenilan...you know the kind of crowd response that pushes the band to new heights? That kind of crowd energy wasn't in eveidence, until maybe the very end.

However, since it went for a great charity cause, all in all, I am sure that, despite the frusrations of having much of the crowd treating the bands intense music as backround music to yap by, I' sure the band is overall happy to have performed.

A plus: Live versions of three tunes off of Jay's side project, "Eye Contact".

Setlists:

Cayo Hueso
Slik And Satin
Sunrise
Sweet and Savvy
Shaker Song
De La Luz

Setlist II

Groovin' For Grover
Goodbye Porkpie Hat
Monsoon
Scott/Joel Bass/Drums Duet
Got The Magic

Encore

Morning Dance

Craig Chaquico warmed up on a satalite stage and I was pleasantly surprised at his energy and musicianship. I'd definitely see him again.

You all are a bunch of lucky people. I don't know how much more i'll have to wait to see them!!!!!!!

It's not fair!!!!

Eril.

P.S. Captain Karma's also one of my all time favorites!!!!

Paul,
I think we sat next to you at Indian Canyons. Well it could have been you. Since I don't know what you look like, it could have been anybody. I agree with your review of the audience. TOO LOUD. TOO MUCH YAPPING. However, many left early (bedtime or something) and If you moved up to the stage it was a great show. First time I've seen Spyro Gyra live. Plan to see them again.
Craig Chaquico was as uasual, full of energy. We've seen Craig at the Coach House, and last year with the Ripps. He's a true showman and full of talent. It was good to see Ramon helping out on percussion. Next show you will have to sit by us. If you can find us.

The Indian Canyon story reminds me of the first time I saw them at the Cincinnati Zoo. They were there as part of a "jazz series" sponsered by a local bank - you know, one of these things that run through the summer but only have one or two jazz acts tops.

It was festival seating and when we got there we saw that the entire center section was roped off and reserved. We assumed that was for people somehow affiliated with the bank and sat on the sides. As the crowd started to come in we noticed that everyone in the center section was over 100 years old and was decked out in suits and dresses. Clearly these people saw the word "jazz" associated with the concert and had no idea what they were coming to see.

Midway through the first song (Swing Street, I believe), they all got up and left. Jay started cracking up. Needless to say, those of us on the sides started to flood into the middle. The ushers tried to stop everyone, but Jay waved them off. At the end of the song, Jay made a whimsical comment about the situtation, but I can't remember what it was. That was 10 years ago after all.

Walking out on "Swing Street"?? That is heresy!!!

Seems more appropo to have RUSHED the stage.

Looks like the suit and tie-ers were expecting cocktail lounge jazz...eh?

Peace!
Paul

Memo to n2focus:

I was sitting close to the stage, off to the right as you looked at the stage. And if you enjoyed Spyro that much on an "off crowd" night, wow! Just wait till you catch the band when the crowd actually gives something back to them...Spyro then gives more back to the audience, the audience then gives more back, and it builds and builds.

Even though the band did not get the usual adreniline surge from the audience, they still came though with a very good performance....just wait till you see em when they have a crowd that is clued in.

I'll look for you!!

Peace!
Paul