Quick Picks From the Disc Changer:

Phish, 6/20/04, Disc 2- Four song second set.

Widespread Panic, UberCobra- Acoustic Panic is so fine.

Warren Haynes, 7/5/02- See last month.

The Dead, Summer Tour Samples, Vol. 2- Free soundboards? Ahhhhh

The Dead, Summer Tour Samples, Vol. 1- Ditto

Discman: Soulive, 6/14/04, Bonnarroo- A hopping show with a killer Jesus Children

Music:

Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland and Brian Blade

Thaetre du Chatelet, Paris 7/3/04

This supergroup gig is part of a recent tour that had stateside stops in early summer before heading off to Europe. What could be better than this quartet in Paris? In order to really appreciate its scope and sequence, the two disc show is best experienced in a single sitting. It's a graceful, pensive performance that is very different from many other Hancock/Shorter projects. There are a number of nice piano intros, and in fact Herbie and Brian Blade dominate most of the set. It is not until a mid set Aung San Suu Kyi that Shorter comes out with his trademark crazed playing. Instead, he shows great restraint and subtlety until this piece, where everyone lets loose- it's the centerpiece. There is also a fine, short version of Canteloupe Island and a beautifully airy Footprints that is all about the negative space- the notes that aren't played as described by those that are…

Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bunny Brunel and Gene Jackson

Sala Kongresova, Warsaw 10/24/91

Another Shorter supergroup, this unit delivers nothing short of a jaw dropping one disc performance. The set begins with a devastating triad of mid to late sixties classics, All Blues, Masquelero and Round Midnight. Each tune is wonderfully rendered as the band delivers everything one could ask for- cunning interplay, breath taking solos and the passion necessary for a strong reading of each of those particular tunes. The apex, however, is the absolutely soaring version of Miles Davis's Solar- nothing short of ecstasy in a seventeen minute dose. This set comes highly recommended.

Wayne Shorter, Danny Perez, John Pattitucci and Brian Blade

Piazza della Riforma, Lugano, Switzerland 7/13/01

This four song set is explosive right from the start, with just the right amount of pushing from all the band members. It is clearly a touring unit comfortable with both the material and each other. The members are willing and able to stretch the boundaries and attack the themes. The opening Sanctuary boils over with energy and excellent drumming from Brian Blade. Aung San Suu Kyi is equally stunning, packed with aggression and abandon. This is a very strong performance- a staple in the car.