People Are Talking About…The Bad Plus
Submitted by The UMS Lobby on February 2, 2010 – 4:37 pm9 Comments
Performance Date: Thu, Feb 4
The New York Times said The Bad Plus is “better than anyone at mixing the the sensibilities of post-60s jazz and indie rock.” But who cares what the Times says — we want to know what YOU think! Have you heard the group before? Are you going on Thursday? Talk to us!
P.S. In case you haven’t seen one of those blue things before, it’s called a typewriter and was a precursor to the computer.
Categories: Jazz Music, Music, People Are Talking!
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This Thursday will be my first chance to see The Bad Plus. I've been checking them out on YouTube and can't wait to see the show.
I really enjoyed this concert. Wasn't really sure what to expect and didn't know if I would like it, but it was awesome. I really liked the piece "You Are". Good show, good energy…would definitely see them again!
They were fantastic! This will sound corny, but it's clear how much they love playing music. It was truly "atmospheric joy". Their musical innovatation and skill allowed for spontaneity as well as perfection. I highly recommend seeing them. While I would have loved to see them in a more intimate venue (like the old Blind Pig, for example), Lydia Mendelssohn was a great venue.
I completely agree with Liz's comment above. I wasn't sure what to expect and debated not going to the concert, but decided to give it a shot after all…and I was really pleasantly surprised! I was at the 9:30pm set and especially loved the songs by Reed, the bassist–as well as the two encores. I enjoyed myself so much that I even picked up some of their CD's. Great night!
Fun concert, and a little bit off the beaten path. Their harmonies are really open, and easy to listen to. Even if you're not into jazz, this is a concert that would have been fun. I wish they had done more covers, I wanted some Nirvana.
Seemed like the audience was comprised of mostly students, which is a good thing. However, I think a lot of older UMS concertgoers would have enjoyed the show as well.
Re Zack's comment – As older (non-student) UMS concert goers at the 7:00 show, we really enjoyed the Bad Plus. The original compositions were excellent. This is the first time we'd heard them other than the you tube Nirvana cover.
Yes, I think the older crowd went to the early show! We did, and enjoyed it a lot. Does anyone know what the song they did as an encore (that show, 7 pm) was? It was one of the best.
June, the encore was "Have You Met Ms. Jones" by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. I was at the 7 pm show as well and really enjoyed all the pieces by bassist Reid Anderson – was thrilled that they played "And Here We Test Our Powers of Observation" as that's my favorite piece of his.
Both sets were amazing – the band was definitely in fine form as usual! I'm very impressed by how much the band even now continues to expand and explore their own material, even older songs like Big Eater and Guilty. I love each composer's work but it's Reid's tunes that tend to draw me in the most easily – I was *thrilled* to hear Beryl Loves to Dance (one of my favorites) in the second set, too!! Great to see a good crowd for both shows, definitely the elder crowd at the first and the younger at the second, which is excellent – shows how this band really has a huge appeal across so many boundaries. Amazing band, incredible shows, great venue – thank you UMS!