Envy Alo | 2018-01-06 | Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

I still have so much music for you…so much…and it’s #FreeMusicFriday! How about some funky goodness from Envy Alo to start things off right?!

When a night at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom(The Other Side) STARTS with Envy Alo…you’re in for a hell of a night. The Boulder-based trio has been expanding their lineup over the last year, consistently playing shows with saxophone extraordinaire Kevin Supina and the smooth bass stylings of Karl Summers. While not “official” members of the band, I’ve seen Kevin play at 100% of the Envy Alo shows I’ve seen and Karl at 66% so I’d say they’re honorary members at least. Their additions provide so much to the sound they might as well get inaugurated because I don’t know if I can picture the sound without them now.

The band came out the gate swinging with guitarist Kevin Hinder riffing the blistery opening notes to “Tantronious”. The start-stop composition of the tune helps introduce each member of the band by showcasing their musical voice. The keys frame the choruses while the saxophone and guitar soars. The bass provides some welcomed enveloped funk all while the drums provide the g-funk backbone. On the next tune we can see even more locked in playing in the jazzy “Crazy Horse Mongoose” which features some stellar interplay between the keys and the saxophone. “Wastin’ Time” introduced the crowd to vocalist Callie Morrocco who would lend her vocal talents to several songs that evening. Possibly a nod to the bluegrass supergroup in the masterpiece ballroom, the band followed-up with “Either Day” which wasn’t quite a bluegrass tune but certainly had a ragtime vibe to it and also featured vocals from Callie. Next up was one of my personal highlights, their performance of their original tune “Once”. This version was stellar; the mood changes entirely when the vocals are traded between a female/male singer – giving more credence to the lyrics about doubting ones self. On top of all that, Kevin Hinder rips possibly his best solo of the set during the song. You can watch a video of the performance (using Space Tapes audio 🙂) thanks to Amplab Denver (https://www.facebook.com/AmplabDenv…/videos/140574723276050/).

Following another stellar vocal performance, Callie took a break while the band cranked out a instrumental segment of New Mastersounds covers in the form of “Give Me A Minute > You Mess Me Up” which was dripping with Motown funk in all the best in the best ways. Next up is what I consider to be the unofficial Envy Alo theme song, “Prom King”. It just has such a classic feel and expresses everything about the the band’s sound in a very astute way. Having seen every version with Kevin Supina on the sax I don’t know if I can hear the song without the building horn melodies. After the dark and frantic “Edger” which featured some more fiery wah’d out guitar work from Hinder, it was time to invite Callie back up for a rendition of the psychedelic Beatles classic “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”. Another personal highlight, the performance featured smooth and articulated playing all following Callie’s vocals as they shifted through the various dynamic peaks of the song. After The Beatles song was “Take Another Look” which similar to “Prom King” has a very original yet classic feel. It also featured another incendiary guitar solo from Kevin which off the hinges into a whirlwind of notes before landing back into the groove with the rest of the band. The last song of the evening was “Cocaine Blues” by Escort which is a re-imagining of the 70’s Dillinger song “Cocaine In My Brain”. The dance tune sat well with the Saturday night funk crowd and left the stage stirring. Great set to start things off on the second night The SWAT Team!

Envy Alo | 2018-01-06 | Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver, CO

One Set: Tantronious, Crazy Horse Mongoose, Wastin’ Time[1], Either Day[1], Once[1], Give Me A Minute (The New Mastersounds) > You Mess Me Up (The New Mastersounds), Prom King, Edger, I Want You (She’s So Heavy)[1], Take Another Look[1], Cocaine Blues (Escort)[1]

Show Notes: This set was performed supporting The SWAT Team. Envy Alo opened the show followed by Casey Russell and The Soul Shack and The SWAT Team closed out the night.
[1] “Wastin’ Time”, “Either Day”, “Once”, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, “Take Another Look” and “Cocaine Blues” all featured Callie Morrocco on vocals.

Taper Notes: Stage right of the soundboard. Slightly off-center, Mics raised around 9′. Lead guitar starts off loud then gets a bit low in the mix and settles at a solid volume somewhere around 15 minutes in. Thanks to Jason for the board patch!

Thank you to Envy Alo and Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom(The Other Side) for being cool with taping/sharing shows. Go see live music! #spacetapes

LINK: https://archive.org/…/EnvyAlo2018-01-06.AKG.P170.SBD.Matrix/