Adrian Belew & Bela Fleck - August 2006

August 16th, 2006

On a vacation week, which was meant to be filled with musical

travels, I had to settle for this one show due to motor vehicular

problems, which sidelined me for the remainder.

What a show it was though.

Adrian Belew and the Amazing Slicktones opened this jamfest

at Chastain Park in Atlanta, GA

The bill included Umphrey's McGee and

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones along with

The Adrian Belew Power Trio.

I never thought the worlds of Adrian & Bela would

collide until, out of the blue, Bela invited Adrian

to add some color commentary to the Flecktone's

album "Outbound".

After this occurrence it became easy to invision that,

on this one off bill, that the two might play together,

if only briefly.

Eric Slick

The Power Trio charged the stage

and impressed the uninitiated.

The Slick Rhythm section let the crowd know

that they were capable and polished.

Eric ( 19 at the time ) and Julie (20 at the time )

cemented their reputation as contenders.

Julie Slick

Eventually, Bela strolled out to perform a tune with Adrian and The Slicktones. I can't recall which song it was as it has been some time since the show. I could have left as a happy camper at this point.

At the end of the Belew set, with Elephant Talk as an encore, the McGee band drifted on stage and took up their spots, one at a time, blending into the song. After all were fully engaged, the Power Trio began to exit, one at a time, leaving Umphrey's McGee to finish Elephant Talk. They then played their own set while a downpour moved in to soak the crowd.

The U.M. set was visited by Adrian and some Flecktones. They played a rousing rendition of "Red" with Adrian at the helm.

The set faded into the Flecktone's portion just as the first transition had taken place.

Flecktones were visited by U.M. and all manner of Slicktones with Adrian. "Come Together" was performed by all in a powerful group encore. I couldn't have asked for more.

Here is the U.M. set list from their official site. I wish I had a set list from Adrian's portion.

08.16.06
Chastain Park AmphitheaterAtlanta, Georgia [^top]
One Set
Jam$ > Wife Soup, Passing > Believe the Lie, Great American^, Red^^, Nemo, Hurt Bird Bath$$
Notes
Acoustic Planet tour with Adrian Belew and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones$ with Adrian Belew to end his set; jam is out of Elephant Talk^ with Bela Fleck on banjo, Victor Wooten on bass, and Futureman on percussion^^ with Adrian Belew on guitar$$ with Jeff Coffin and Victor Wooten; Hurt Bird Bath segues into Bela Fleck & The Flecktones' set

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - all of Umphrey's McGee Brendan, Jake, Joel, and Kris sat in for Bela Fleck's Stomping Grounds during his set (Stomping Grounds included Wipe Out teases); then, the entire band sat in for the encore, joining Adrian Belew and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones; the encore was Come Together > Monkee See

I could go on about details of this trip but...