7/5/12 Umphrey's McGee @ CEFCU Center Stage - Peoria, IL

Umphrey's McGee

7/5/12

CEFCU Center Stage

Peoria, IL

I: Catshot > Domino Theory, Intentions Clear > Wellwishers, All Things Ninja, Liquid* > 40's Theme*

II: Jajunk > The Bottom Half, Fussy Dutchman, Comma Later, Can't You Hear Me Knocking*, Wappy Sprayberry > Jajunk

E: Hajimemashite*

* w/ Stanley Jordan

On Thursday I worked earlier in the day and hit the road for Peoria around 5:30.  It was extremely hot with weather nearing triple digits not including the heat index.  If we don't get rain in this area of Illinois soon the farmers are in for serious trouble.  I found a parking spot in the free lot across the street from the venue.  The sounds of the opening act, G. Love and The Special Sauce, could be heard.  At this point I walked up the hill a few blocks to Sully's to meet up with some friends. 

Umphrey's McGee was onstage shortly after 8:30.  Initially the sound left something to be desired but they improved it the best they could given the stacks were on the ground.  There was a good sized crowd on hand.  The demographic was obviously younger but I didn't see too many displays of amateurism.  Pony continues to sport the Pringles man look with that mustache.  I felt this was a different side to Umphrey's McGee than what we saw at Summer Camp.  Those were dance driven shows comprised of heavy hitters where this performance was a little more nuanced.  I've heard that pre-recorded intro before several times including nearby at the Canopy Club.  Domino Theory was my least favorite of the new songs but I love the improvisation it has produced.  They took their time with the return to the end of the song.  Intentions Clear also had an interesting jam but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Wellwishers that followed.  I didn't care for how Pony announced on the internet earlier in the day that they would play All Things Ninja.  I could also do without his merchandise banter.  Stanley Jordan added a lot to the jam out of Liquid and the set closing, 40's Theme.  During 40's Theme he took the BB solo at the end.  I liked the energy of the first set.  There really was no lulls.  We had a good group of friends near the soundboard for the whole show.

Jajunk got the set going with a decent jam albeit somewhat generic.  Pony played more slapbass than I think I've ever seen him.  I liked Jake's work during The Bottom Half.  Fussy Dutchman is an instrumental I always enjoy.  Comma Later was pretty much my only request going into the show so I was pleased to hear that new Steely Dan infused dance number.  I've heard Can't You Hear Me Knocking way too many times over the years with UM and moe. but it was well done.    Once again Stanley Jordan added to the mix.  I was surprised but not necessarily disappointed that G. Love didn't step out with his harmonica.  Wappy Sprayberry was my favorite improvisation of the evening with a very successful dance jam into the conclusion of Jajunk to end the set.  Hajimemashite featured Stanley Jordan and was a fitting encore to a fun show from Umphrey's McGee on the banks of the Illinois River in Peoria on a sweltering night.