Voodoo Dead at Ardmore Music Hall 2/12/2017
words: Brian Overton | photos: Alex Buschiazzo
The Ardmore Music Hall has been on fire lately, with an eclectic array of bookings spanning all genres from legends to locals. In the case of super-group legends Voodoo Dead, the Saturday night booking sold out in record time and received so much attention that a second night (Sunday) was added, which also sold out almost instantly. This would be the 5th show of a five night run from this all-star lineup. The Voodoo Dead consist of Steve Kimock (Ratdog, Phil Lesh and Friends, Kingfish), Jeff Chimenti (Ratdog, Dead and Company), Oteil Burbridge (The Allman Brothers, Tedeschi/Trucks), Jackie Greene (The Black Crowes, Phil Lesh and Friends), Papa Mali (7 Walkers), and Wally Ingram (Timbuk 3). So, to say there was a little bit of talent on stage would be a vast understatement. After an opening set from The High and Mighty Brass Band, the energy was high and after 4 shows under their belt the fans knew that Vodoo Dead was warmed up to rock their souls.
The band started the show with a slow jam that would build up to a super down tempo yet funky “Crazy Fingers”. This type of song and intro allowed the band to ease their way into the evening with a crowd-pleasing favorite with Jackie Greene singing us a lullaby while Steve Kimock noodled his way through the tune. “Crazy Fingers” then decided to heat things up through the locomotion music mustered through the “Big Railroad Blues” with Papa Mali joining in on guitar as Jackie Greene slid over to the organ to join Jeff Chimenti. From there the set moved into another slower yet powerful ballad “He’s Gone” which really showed the bands ability to harmonize and nail the Dead’s more complicated vocals. This was followed by the band's version of “One Way Out” and a ripping “Jack Straw” before closing out set one with a powerfully riveting rendition of the seldom-performed Beatles tune “Don’t Let Me Down”.
After a short break, the band would return with a different energy than that of the first set, with faster paced tunes and a set riddled with covers. The set started out with a high energy “Help on the Way>Slipknot” classic Grateful Dead coupling(video below). This Dead favorite was then followed with a fun and bouncy New Orleans favorite from The Meters, “Hey Pocky Way” which to the attentive listener also included teases at both “Low Rider” and “Iko Iko”. After a brief pause following that 3 song transition, the band decided to treat us to an “After Midnight>Eleanor Rigby>After Midnight” sandwich that left everyone hungry for more as they slayed this tune which was heavily reminiscent of the Jerry Garcia Band era. For this set, Jackie Greene spent the majority of the time on the organ along side band-mate Jeff Chimenti on the Rhodes Piano. From there,the band moved into “Shakedown Street” which really got the crowd movin’, funkin’, and groovin’ as they nailed this Philly favorite. This was followed by “Deal” and “After Midnight” to close out the show. After a whole lot of hoopin and hollerin and chanting the band would return to bring the crowd almost to tears with an incredibly musically emotional instrumental “Stella Blue”.
All in all it was an incredible show that touched on originals and covers that the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band performed throughout the years. The show was another great example how music brings people together, both musicians and fans alike, and how the music of the Grateful Dead will continue to do the same long into the future. I think its safe to say we will see these boys together again, but until then Voodoo Dead, Thank you for a real good time.
The band started the show with a slow jam that would build up to a super down tempo yet funky “Crazy Fingers”. This type of song and intro allowed the band to ease their way into the evening with a crowd-pleasing favorite with Jackie Greene singing us a lullaby while Steve Kimock noodled his way through the tune. “Crazy Fingers” then decided to heat things up through the locomotion music mustered through the “Big Railroad Blues” with Papa Mali joining in on guitar as Jackie Greene slid over to the organ to join Jeff Chimenti. From there the set moved into another slower yet powerful ballad “He’s Gone” which really showed the bands ability to harmonize and nail the Dead’s more complicated vocals. This was followed by the band's version of “One Way Out” and a ripping “Jack Straw” before closing out set one with a powerfully riveting rendition of the seldom-performed Beatles tune “Don’t Let Me Down”.
After a short break, the band would return with a different energy than that of the first set, with faster paced tunes and a set riddled with covers. The set started out with a high energy “Help on the Way>Slipknot” classic Grateful Dead coupling(video below). This Dead favorite was then followed with a fun and bouncy New Orleans favorite from The Meters, “Hey Pocky Way” which to the attentive listener also included teases at both “Low Rider” and “Iko Iko”. After a brief pause following that 3 song transition, the band decided to treat us to an “After Midnight>Eleanor Rigby>After Midnight” sandwich that left everyone hungry for more as they slayed this tune which was heavily reminiscent of the Jerry Garcia Band era. For this set, Jackie Greene spent the majority of the time on the organ along side band-mate Jeff Chimenti on the Rhodes Piano. From there,the band moved into “Shakedown Street” which really got the crowd movin’, funkin’, and groovin’ as they nailed this Philly favorite. This was followed by “Deal” and “After Midnight” to close out the show. After a whole lot of hoopin and hollerin and chanting the band would return to bring the crowd almost to tears with an incredibly musically emotional instrumental “Stella Blue”.
All in all it was an incredible show that touched on originals and covers that the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band performed throughout the years. The show was another great example how music brings people together, both musicians and fans alike, and how the music of the Grateful Dead will continue to do the same long into the future. I think its safe to say we will see these boys together again, but until then Voodoo Dead, Thank you for a real good time.
Set I
Crazy Fingers, Big RR Blues, He's Gone, One Way Out, Jack Straw, Don't Bring Me Down
Set II
Help On The Way>Slipknot, Hey Pockey Way, After Midnight>Elanor Rigby>After Midnight, Shakedown St
Deal, Midnight Hour
E: Stella Blue
Crazy Fingers, Big RR Blues, He's Gone, One Way Out, Jack Straw, Don't Bring Me Down
Set II
Help On The Way>Slipknot, Hey Pockey Way, After Midnight>Elanor Rigby>After Midnight, Shakedown St
Deal, Midnight Hour
E: Stella Blue
Voodoo Dead Set 2 video courtesy of Liquid Silverstream
