Sound Check Music Blog

Photo by Sound Check Music Blog

Listen to Aquarium Rescue Unit live at the Georgia Theatre (8/8/2011).

The show began promptly at 9:00pm as Jimmy Herring (guitar), Oteil Burbridge (bass), Matt Slocum (keyboards), and Jeff Sipe, AKA Apt Q-258, (drums) took stage. Energized fan hollers were accompanied by crisp solos from each member, with the exception Col. Bruce Hampton (vocals, guitar), whose stage-centered black stool had yet to find an occupant.

After a few minutes of an instrumental jam, the Colonel graced the born-again stage, as smells of incense were quickly replaced by the sticky-icky. The crowd went wild and the band launched into the Less McCann and Eddie Harris tune – “Compared to What” in which every band member seemed to enter an individual world of chaos that somehow coalesce into one.

Blues music continued to charge the room. During the second song, Burbridge and Slocum played a unified game of “Who can groove out the most?,” while Col. Bruce soulfully belted out the lyrics, “It’s payday baby. Won’t you come along?” The song climaxed into a Herring and Hampton blues battle, which I declared a tie.

Next, Aquarium Rescue Unit played their acid jazz tune, “Jazz Bank,” in which Herring’s signature guitar sound reigned supreme.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Jazz Bank” Live at Georgia Theatre

The night then steered back into Blues cover land. The boys played their re-imagined version of the B.B. King and Willie Nelson tune “Nightlife,” which showcased what seemed to be a 12 bar chord progression. Col. Bruce seemed right at home when he groaned, “It ain’t a good life honey. But, it’s my life.”

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Nightlife” Live at Georgia Theatre

Col. Bruce prefaced the next song by telling the crowd, “It’s good to be back at the Georgia Theatre.” He also stated that this was his “third time opening the Theatre.” The song itself was reminiscent of a Phish tune, and sure enough, sent hippies into air-swim dance moves – myself included.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Song 5″ Live at Georgia Theatre

The boys rapidly changed speeds and jumped into true neck bobber-ballad. Through his wise lyrics, Col. Bruce challenged the crowd to “Let it ride. Let it roll. Let it flow.” The crowd gladly followed the Colonel’s orders.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Let it Ride. Let it Flow.” Live at Georgia Theatre

Rock n’ Roll then controlled the venue, as Aquarium Rescue Unit played “Smokestack Lightning.” Fists pumped the air on the powerful downbeats, and Herring and Hampton pounded out commanding solos.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Smokestack Lightning” Live at Georgia Theatre

A jam session ensued during the eighth song, which not only showcased an impressive solo by Hampton and Herring, but also by Slocum, whose swift fingers made you stop and wonder if what you were witnessing was possible. Otiel entered the jam with a mind bending bass-vocal unison solo, and Sipe followed with a bangin’ drum beat.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Song 8″ Live at Georgia Theatre

The Unit then cooled off by playing a “tribute to Willie Dixon,” who wrote “Spoonful,” which was first recorded by blues legend Howlin’ Wolf. Herring’s and Hampton’s guitar sound should not be missed on this classic blues tune.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Spoonful” Live at Georgia Theatre

Col. Bruce and the boys slowed things down and performed a perfect slow dance tune, which I used to review some notes.

Aquarium Rescue Unit – “Slow Song” Live at Georgia Theatre

The man responsible for the audio, Mr. Drew Landrum, then had to relieve himself from the front-row spot we secured and the three hour show ended shortly after, right around 12:00am.

All in all, it was a pleasure to see Col. Bruce and Jimmy Herring perform with different musicians. It’s always refreshing to know that truly talented artists can still sell out shows. Amazing concert fellas.