Information
Jun. 21st, 2000 - Philadelphia, PA (Theater of the Living Arts, with Echolyn)
(TLA advert - Just love the typos!!!)
So, here I am at another TRANSLANTIC gig, just 3 days after NEARFEST! This show did not sell out, but was attended by very dedicated fans of both ECHOLYN and TRANSLANTIC. ECHOLYN has been out of the prog loop as a band for about 5 years, but it did not show in their playing! This was a much better venue to see ECHOLYN this time, and the sound was perfect during their set. The band played for an hour covering several songs from the new CD,COWBOY POEMS FREE. BRETT KULL did mention that it was NOT free, but was available in the back! There were several ECHOLYN regulars in the audience, and we all were glad that this band has made a return to the stage. This incarnation has BRETT KULL on guitar and voice, RAY WESTON, BASS and voice, CHRIS BUZBY KEYBOARDS and voice, PAUL RAMSEY drums and percussion, and JORDAN (?) drums and percussion. The additional percussion gives ECHOLYN a somewhat more jam feel to the live versions of their songs.
Transatlantic began about 9:30. There was an extensive warm up beforehand, and the sound was quite good. The set was the same as the BOSTON show, but for laughs they did HONKY TONK WOMEN in the middle of the set. ALL OF THE ABOVE is such a great opener. Thirty minutes into the gig, and one song is played! MYSTERY TRAIN let the deal go down next, and there was no mystery to this live funky number. It has a great segueway into the BEATLES portion of the show! WE ALL NEED SOME LIGHT some GENESIS stuff (WATCHER intro/FIRTH) and then MY NEW WORLD FINISHED the main set, with "MUSIC FROM THE OTHER BAND'S WE'RE IN" medley, which once again was an interesting four segment, musical intersection of four great bands.
It is obvious from the fan's point of view, that these guys get on pretty well. They were loose on stage, happy, and tight. A couple of people I talked with said the guitar was a bit down in the mix--I couldn't tell, so it may not have been much. MIKE PORTNOY mentioned two things: a SPOCK'S BEARD DREAM THEATER tour in AUGUST, and plans are now underway for another TRANSLANTIC album!
"LET THE DEAL GO DOWN, RIDE THAT MYSTERY TRAIN!"
Written by to Charlie Nolan
I went to the Philadelphia show last night. It was fantastic. The Nearfest show was very rough. Lots of technical problems and even more musician mistakes. But last night was great. It was like seeing a completely different band.
Written by Pat Valencia
Special Thanks to David Grden and Hal Ryman for all the photos.
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