Customer Reviews

April 10, 2002 - Omaha, NE: On the Road

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I was first drawn to SCI after reading an article about this Colorado-based quintet referring to its bluegrass origins (they have frequently played the Telluride Bluegrass Festival) and its awesome live shows where they would stretch out with ten- to twenty-minute jams. Six of the songs on this collection are more than 10 minutes and "Rhythm of the Road" is nearly twenty minutes. [And when they bookend the group-penned "Cold Train Jam" with two versions of John Coltrane's "Impressions," you get a 24-minute instrumental tour de force!]

While the band certainly has its roots in bluegrass, it is just as confortable with jazz, funk and even rock, which all blends together to give SCI its own unique sound. [In fact the only two real bluegrass songs are the two closing numbers. (And according to the introduction to the songs, it's the first time they've closed a show with two bluegrass songs.) They are Bill Monroe's instrumental "Goldrush" and "Hobo Song," a song originally recorded by Old and In the Way, a group that included Jerry Garcia (an obvious SCI influence).

SCI, since 2002, has released more than sixty 3-CD concert sets, and it's difficult to recommend one over the other. [I've since bought two more--the Orlanda and Atlanta sets.] No two concerts are the same, and their cover songs run the gamut from the Stanley Brothers to Bob Dylan to Weather Report to Aerosmith. If you're looking for something new and different and exciting, SCI is the band you're looking for. [Running time: 41:09, 67:56, 68:11] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Get this show if only for the very tight Lost>Can't Stop Now and the Rhythm of the Road>Come As You Are! Also this show features the elusive Blackberry Blossom. The Impressions is great as usual.
Peace,
Dave