I really missed out on a chance for some serious alliteration yesterday (#TulaTaperTuesday) but that’s OK…enjoy some #FreeMusic courtesy of my pull from Tula‘s post-Umphrey’s throwdown at Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple!
After parties at Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple are always a sight to see. The place becomes an exclusive after-hours bar for anyone who was still standing after Umphrey’s tore up the first night of their three-night run at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium. Tula came ready to keep everyone’s good vibes flowing with a blistering 2+ hour set with zero breaks. The majority of tunes featured the horns section from Boogie Mammoth which really made the band’s sound pop and kept the funk alive. The band’s sound is like a modern take on classic motown funk. Tight guitar riffs, poignant horn lines, fat rolling bass lines all over some G-Funk-esque drumming. Having a classic sound doesn’t mean you can’t find space to jam and find that space Tula did. Several songs went into psychedelic improv spaces; wah’ed out guitars grooving with bass lines, laying dreamy foundations for the horns to show their own perspectives. One of my favorites was the jam in “Marbles” which featured a droning horn melody locked in with a grooving bassline over psychedelic guitar solos. Tula was definitely not alone on their voyage – aside from the horn section, they also borrowed vocalist Rachel Hollingsworth from Boogie Mammoth for several songs including the most boogie filled segment I’ve ever heard at Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple. With the help of Eric Luba of Analog Son and The RunniKine, Rachel lead everyone through two ripping versions of “Boogie On Reggae Woman” and The Taste Of Honey disco-funk classic “Boogie Oogie Oogie”. Eric Luba did what he does, seemingly effortlessly annihilated his part with masterful funk keymanship. He made an appearance as well earlier in the set for the “Paige > Space Bumps” which is another must-listen. Playing over two hours straight through is no easy task, let alone after midnight and possibly after raging a concert. Yet Tula managed to do so and put on a fantastic performance that filled Ripple with fans, joy and often times, most importantly…funk. I’ll raise a beer to that.
Tula | 2017-12-29| Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver, CO
One Set: Copperfield, Booth, Wrong God, Marbles, Fun, Go, 5N Funk[1], Mulberry’s Dream (The Disco Biscuits), Paige[2] > Space Bumps[2], Lotf, Boogie On Reggae Woman (Stevie Wonder)[3], Boogie Oogie (A Taste Of Honey)[3], Stairs[4], Walk Away, Bus Stop, Eye From A Magazine
Show Notes: This was an official Umphrey’s McGee after-party.
[1] “5N Funk” featured Rachel Hollingsworth (Boogie Mammoth) on vocals, Mike Givens (Boogie Mammoth) and Zach Catarelli (Boogie Mammoth) on horns.
[2] “Paige > Space Bumps” featured Eric Luba (The Runnikine / Analog Son) on keys.
[3] “Boogie On Reggae Woman” and “Boogie Oogie Oogie” featured Eric Luba (The Runnikine / Analog Son) on keys and Rachel Hollingsworth (Boogie Mammoth) on vocals.
[4] “Stairs” contained “Down With Disease” (Phish) teases.
[5] Prior to “Walk Away” there was a “Glory” (Umphrey’s McGee) tease.
Taper Notes: DFC FOB (taper nook) mics raised around 7′. Soundboard feed cuts in the middle of “Stairs” so the rest of the show is AUD only.
Thank you to Tula (thanks especially to Will Ganas for putting Tula on my radar and having us out. You’re the man and one of my favorite people to see at a show. Dude just loves music.) Thank you to Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple for being cool with taping shows. Go see live music and tip your bartender! Also thank you to Casey T. for the board patch!
LINK: https://archive.org/deta…/Tula2017-12-29.AKG.P170.SBD.Matrix
