Prelude: I wrote this piece back in September for a website as a series they had for featuring artists and their "essentials." They never posted this so I thought I'd share.
Being from Chicago I’m surely biased but the band Umphrey’s McGee is truly challenging traditional jam band music. Meeting at Notre Dame Brendan Bayliss, Ryan Stasik, Joel Cummins, and Andy Farag started the group then adding Jake Cinninger and Kris Myers to complete the band in 2002 creating the present day Umphrey’s McGee. They gained notoriety and a following through their live shows, especially Bonnaroo in 2002 outselling live recordings of both jam band heavy weights Widespread Panic and Trey Anastasio. Now they have grown from a local jam band to worldwide progressive rock superstars continuing to push music to the edge and back.
It was when Anchor Drops (2004) was released that the Umprhey’s phenomenon picked up steam. Being distributed nation wide for the first time they were gaining fans all across the country. It also helped that at the same time Rolling Stone named them “odds-on favorites in the next-Phish Sweepstakes.” Since then they released two more studio albums, Safety in Numbers (2006) and Mantis (2009). The Bottom Half(2007) was made up of b-side tracks not making their way onto Safety in Numbers and other previously recorded music. They also released two live albums in 2007 Live at the Murat and Jimmy Stewart.
The studio is not where the band is most impressive and able to showcase their true skill. Being exceptionally talented musicians they are able to put together the tightest live concert on tour today. They have always been crowd pleasers by playing fun covers such as “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen, “Dr. Feelgood” by Motley Crue, and “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. That combined with their cult classic originals and improved jams known as “Jimmy Stewart” Umphrey’s creates a unique show only they can deliver. Lucky for you they record every live show for purchase through their website www.umlive.net.
This group constantly leaves sold out shows yelling, “We want the UMPH, got to have that UMPH.” If you ever have the chance to see them live take it without hesitation and you’ll be converted. Picking the “essentials” is obviously a difficult task but here is a playlist of the songs that I like and you should too.
It is tough to categorize their songs to “greatest hits” seeing how they are not a band that sees radio airtime or are remotely close to the Billboard top 20 but here are my picks. These are songs that every fan would immediately recognize and will introduce you to Umphrey’s McGee.
1. Front Porch
2. In the Kitchen
3. Women Wine & Song
4. Anchor Drops
5. Nemo
6. 1348
B-Sides:
This collection consists of some of my favorite Umphrey’s jams. These are probably the most fun songs to hear live as well.
7. Mulche’s Odyssey
8. Turn & Run (If you like this check out “Turn & Dub” the dub version)
9. Wife Soup
10. Hajimemashite
11. Cemetery Walk
12. Partyin’ Peeps
13. Hangover
14. Andy’s Last Beer
Covers/Mash-Ups:
As I mentioned before, Umphrey’s throws down covers of well-picked songs. Along with pounding party favorites they have taken covers to the 21st century doing full band mash-ups like this mind blower of “Come Together” by the Beatles and “Closer” by NIN known as “Come Closer.”
15. Come Closer
16. Sweet Sunglasses
17. 1901/Jump Mashup
18. Fuck You – Cee Lo cover
19. Ain’t Nuthin But a G Thang – Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg cover
20. Bonafide Lovin’ – Chromeo cover
Enjoy!
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