Spafford

"Double Time gives you a nice kickstart to this single-setter.  Giants has been old faithful for the band since early on in 2023 – it always delivers.  Cory is a master at building themes -tasty ones, at that-  and does so early in this version, with Jordan and Nick in full control of the groove, steering into (House on) Cantaloupe Island.  Listen for that Billie Jean-esque tease from Cory – similar to 1/27 ETS – just before the start of Cantaloupe.  Noticeably absent from the first leg of Winter tour, Pursuit makes its 2024 debut. This version features all 4 completely locked in tight after the last refrain.  We’re talking vacuum-sealed here, people.  The jam eventually winds down into a spacey groove before Frog Gossip swoops in and reminds you it’s time to dance.  Other recent LTLOs have sounded different from the start.  And I’m still not sure if this LTLO is in the “right” key, or whatever, but I don’t really care.  This one delivers some silky open soundscapes, after the doot’s, before dropping into Punk.  Another thematic jam driven by Cory, this time on piano.  The setlist told me we were coming back to LTLO but it still caught me by surprise when listening. Peaches features some deep funk with Jordan slapping, Cory clavin’ away, and Nick cow-belling.  Brian, Cory, and Nick push the jam forward by gradually modifying their playing, all centered around Jordan as the anchor.  This jam covers a ton of ground in a short amount of time, even before they begin the segue to Weasel.  Further evidence that Spafford are true masters of their improvisational craft.  Weasel is an ideal cap to a stellar show. "