Bitches Bloom followed DRKWAV’s phantasmagorical performance Tuesday night at the Blue Nile, and the Royal Fam regiment immediately distinguished themselves from the dozens of other tributes taking place around town. Helmed by Lettuce trumpet player Eric “Benny” Bloom, Bitches Bloom took a long, hard look into the Miles Davis catalog of the late 60’s and dawn of the 70’s. Bloom employed a sort of method acting, mean-mugging and glaring at his assembled players until they achieved tone and textures to his liking, just as Davis would do to start performances in those times. Bloom was joined by Lettuce co-conspirators Adam Deitch (drums), Nigel Hall (keys), Ryan Zoidis (sax), and Jesus Coomes, who handled the Michael Henderson basslines with aplomb.
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 2 of 4: Shhh/Peaceful > It’s About That Time >
Benny Bloom was master of ceremonies and star of this serenade. The steamy, foreboding performance saw sit-ins from Wil Blades (organ) and trumpet mavens Maurice “Mo Betta” Brown and Aaron Janik. Benny meticulously searched deep into the annals of this era, and the setlist included opener “Sivad,” a harrowing revamp entitled “Benny Runs the Voodoo Down,” “Right Off,” “It’s About that Time,” “Jean Pierre,” this writer’s favorite jam “Black Satin” (off of 1972’s brilliant On the Corner). Be advised that the separations hardly mattered, as they were just shifts in groove that altered the time-space continuum. Leaving the Blue Nile sometime near 4 a.m., we were left shaking our heads at how Benny and company had so effectively mined the Miles zeitgeist whilst delivering this shell-shocking, inventive performance. Bitches Bloom found itself immediately on the short list of the finest shows at Jazz Fest 2017, a testament to the modus operandi of this murderers’ row.
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 3 of 4: Right Off (with Aaron Janik & Maurice Brown) > Improv?
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 4 of 4: Black Satin > Jean Pierre
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017
New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Sony ECM-MS908C stereo mic > Canon XA-20 video cam as LPCM 16/48 audio > 16/44 WAV > FLAC
01. Sivad >
02. Benny Runs The Voodoo Down >
03. Shhh/Peaceful > It’s About That Time >
04. Right Off (with Aaron Janik & Maurice Brown) >
05. Improv?
06. Black Satin >
07. Jean Pierre
Eric Benny Bloom – trumpet, keyboards, percussion Ryan Zoidis – saxophone Adam Deitch – drums Jesus Coomes – bass Wil Blades – keyboards Nigel Hall – keyboards
Guests: Maurice Brown – trumpet Aaron Janik – trumpet
Medeski, Martin & Wood began 2016 (their 25th year playing together!) with a handful of shows in Jamaica opening for moe. and Little Feat. Fortunately for us, Little Feat archivist Chris Cafiero was on hand filming the first three nights (of the four), and he even snagged soundboard audio patches each night. Another taper, Steve Wilner also filmed with cameras at both stage right and stage left, as well as front of house. These tapers graciously shared the raw files with me and now we can all enjoy all three nights in multi-camera glory. If you’re an MMW fan, get ready for 3 hours of couch tour! Did I mention that Chris is playing only his Fender Jazz bass for the whole run? Or that they bust out tons of old favorites and get into a large amount of tasty groove-based improvisation? I shouldn’t have to say anything else. But I will say cheers to #MMW25! We’re off to a great start and let’s hope they book a lot more gigs, including something in New Orleans for Jazz Fest!
Medeski Martin & Wood 1/11/16 Runaway Bay, Jamaica @ Jewel Paradise Cove Resort – Tropical Throe.down 2016:
Sorrow [David Bowie / The McCoys cover] > Lonely Avenue [Ray Charles cover] > Think > Improv > Is There Anybody Here That Love My Jesus, Gonzo [James Booker cover]
Medeski Martin & Wood 1/13/16 Runaway Bay, Jamaica @ Jewel Paradise Cove Resort – Tropical Throe.down 2016:
Chinoiserie [Duke Ellington cover], Just Like I Pictured It, Night Marchers > Improv > Wiggly’s Way, Brigas Nunca Mais [Antonio Carlos Jobim / Elis Regina cover], Heaven On Earth [Larry Young cover]
Also, for a limited time, I have the 8 gig edited video files (with uncompressed LPCM audio) from each night available for download. Night 1 Night 2 Night 3
