Live Review

JABE - The Middle East - 04/26/03

"We are Jabe and here we go." The crowd looks to the stage, ready for a roadhouse rock show. Watching Jabe on stage, you know each member just breathes music. You can smell it on them. The party starts and everyone's taking part. The girl a few feet away from me knows what's up. She accepts the invitation from the songster. She's doing the poney dance. You know the one... Phish heads adore it and your feet (even the clean ones), just can't help it. The place heats up as Jabe rips into "Kelley Maguire," Sean Staples rocks hard with the mandolin and head-bangs to the train moving through the stage. Jabe introduces the next song as a Dylan tune. All out jammy-jam at the finale. Dave Westner sets up some great fills on the drums and Jabe takes the lead. Staples kicks Jabe in the ass to start the final number. Honkey Tonks and broken beer bottles are non-existent, but the music: that's poetry, written with some spine. Gets you right here. Amazing band.

- Joseph Kader