Spafford

"TLDR:  My highlights include Diesel Driver and Down Under, and Plans. On paper, the two sets strike me as a set from the Cory era, and a set before the Cory era.  In my ears - this is Spafford 2024. Diesel Driver delivers again.  Brian and Cory develop a nice theme and background pocket, if you will, with the time maintained by Nick.  Jordan uses this to create his own lead sound, resulting in slaptastic funk.  Nick eventually reduces himself to his hihat, before picking the pace up some upon return.  Sounds like we're headed ATW for a moment, and the peak from Brian might as well have been.  Blistering, relentless, and seamlessly right into Vape. Down Under gets interesting with some Nick effects, and Cory doing some "Tyler" jamming (see 6/12/23 BeeJam).  This leads to some filthy funk rhythm's from Brian, with Jordan going HAM underneath, and Cory adopting the piano for some jazz notes.  Eventually Brian's funk evolves to lead licks, as Cory evolves to the organ.  All while Nick drives them with his ride cymbol and aggressive fills.  After a refrain, there's a key (?) change to set up the eventual segue into Left on the Runway.  In between we get some nice, space-filled, soft, jazzy jamming.  Good display of patience here (shocker!). The song portion of Plans features Brian going absolutely ape s.  I mean...wow.  Hammer don't hurt 'em! America turns from funky space expedition to break-beat dance pants. This one takes an extended path to get to Reprise - much more so than other back-to-back pairings.  Nice tension and release from Brian before the final refrain in Reprise to close out the meat of the set/show."

"OTP is my kinda place and this show is a great listen"

"DD > Vape is great and the off-the-cuff Down Under was an awesome thing to see but this night is all about that America > Reprise, damn "