The magic of late night ALO strikes again.
Many of the best performances of their career have extended past midnight. They become like werewolves feasting from the chicken coop. Their psychedelic warrior spirit is activated. Conforming to the blueprint is no longer of importance.
I made my way over from Umphrey's and they were already deep and gooey on "Cowboys." The Vaudeville was bursting at the seams. It was almost impenetrable anywhere in front of the soundboard. This was my triumphant return to HSMF after a 20-year gap, thus my first time witnessing ALO as the festival darlings they are. It was exhilarating to behold the collective freakout consuming the space.
The all-killer-no-filler two-hour set reached its zenith with "I Love Music>Kolomana". Any ALO doubters can put this intergalactic pairing in their pipe and smoke it. This night was a reminder that all the best ALO shows have something in common - Lebo launches into the stratosphere. The perennial HSMF artist-at-large was shining in his full glory. His entire bag of tricks was on display as he laser beamed through every song with complex precision. Of course the other three gentlemen were skyrocketing along with him. Ezra has fully settled into his role and his remarkable skill is a game-changer. His jazzy flair makes everything pop. Zach was bubbling forth from the funk zone, carrying on conversations of the most fluid persuasion. Steve donned his Clark Kent into Superman swagger, keeping the dancefloor afloat with relentless grooves. The place was erupting. The infectious energy matched the colorful circus vibe of the enclosure.
There could not have been a more palpable sense that all of this music was coming directly from the heart. Every note sparkled with pixie dust. Songs that have been played a zillion times - "Try" and "Bubble" - were injected with freshness thanks to fabulous guest sit-ins. Jeremy Schon on guitar from Pigeons tunneled into daylight. And 15-year-old Maxwell Friedman swirled with authority on the organ. Large groups of people ecstatically danced on platforms on either side of the stage. It was like a scene from a 60's love-in.
As the 1:30 hour rapidly approached, a huge "Time is of the Essence" would have been poetic. Instead they opted for "Maria" and showed why it has become one of the definitive songs of their repertoire. After a brief excursion through Vampire Weekend's "Harmony Hall" (I had no idea what Zach was singing), they entered the jam. This was a "what the f is going on" kind of moment. Lebo ascended to a new level of guitar god status as he conjured some sort of water into wine miracle. He sounded like Jimmy Page, John McLaughlin and especially Dan Lebowitz, all harmonizing in shimmering cascades. I can't wait to hear this again. "Never underestimate ALO," I thought to myself as I waltzed off into the cool night.
