Umphrey’s McGee is a jam band, which means they’re great to see live.
At Rothbury this year, they played a great cover of “Comfortably Numb” (YouTube). They have a reputation for playing good covers, particularly Floyd. So I was stoked when a buddy of mine told me about the upcoming show at Michigan Theater on October 2. I got tickets, and it got me thinking about their repertoire of covers. How varied? Eclectic? Well executed? Lucky for you and me, they let people tape their shows, and they let those tapers post their recordings to the Internet Music Archive.
So I asked the GLONO research department to review all the 2009 shows, compiling all the covers they’ve played this year. We might have missed a few, but it’s still one helluva list. Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, Zeppelin, Blind Faith, Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones, John Coltrane, and Michael Jackson. Even the f’n “Safety Dance.” That’s right. Safety Dance. By Men Without Hats. I shit you not.
Here’s a list of my favorites:
1. Umphrey’s McGee – “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” (Pink Floyd cover at All Good Music Festival, July 11, 2009)
“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” is remarkably on point in relation to the original. Just tremendous. Around 2:45 in, there’s an exact enough replica of a David Gilmour lick, unleashed at the right time, that the audience all cheers when it kicks in, in appreciation of the awesomeness of it. Why live music is the best.
2. Umphrey’s McGee – “Making Flippy Floppy” (Talking Heads cover at Aggie Theater, Fort Collins, CO, January 22, 2009)
On point cover, great exploration in the middle. The crowd goes nuts for this one, and they know all the lyrics. They play this one a lot for encores.
3. Umphrey’s McGee – “Fool in the Rain” (Led Zeppelin cover at Wanee Festival, Live Oak, FL, June 5, 2009)
Fool in the Rain!? Great Zep tune, hits right vocal approach about half way through. Stellar effort by the band. They emphasize the reggae flavor of the song. A good approach.
4. Umphrey’s McGee – “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” (Rolling Stones cover at Ram’s Head, Baltimore, MD, April 4, 2009)
A great Stones song which, for me at least, has forever been enshrined as a cocaine anthem due to its placement in the movie Casino. But that could just be me. In any event, great scene. And a great cover.
5. Umphrey’s McGee – “Eminence Front” (The Who cover at Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN, March 28, 2009)
One of my favorite Who songs. They do a couple of other Who covers, too (“Baba O’Riley” comes to mind).
There are a lot more, and I’m sure their cover catalog gets deeper as you move through their archive of shows. In fact, if you find another one you think is worth listening to, please let us know. They’ve also covered “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith, “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane, “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, and “Black Sabbath” (the song) into “War Pigs”. And again, this is just 2009.
So I’ll just put this out there, in case anyone connected to Umphrey’s McGee reads this. I’m hoping for a rocking “Making Flippy Floppy” and/or “Fool in the Rain” in Ann Arbor. Like I said, just putting it out there… Will report back after the show.
Waiting room
Fearless
Waisted and I can’t find my way home
The song remains the same
Dig A pony
Africa (Toto)
My Old School (Steely Dan)
Waiting Room
…and Justice For All
Ain’t No Fun
Tonight I’m Gonna Rock It
Release
making flippy floppy (rothbury)
still havent found what im looking for (nye 08)
dont stop till you get enough (nye 08)
amazing grace(nye 08)
Layla (redrocks 07)
Z, those are both great covers. This Africa is followed by a great, too short Crazy Fingers, a great Grateful Dead tune from Blues for Allah. Brilliant rendition. I’ll put this out there… would love to hear some more Dead. Fire would be a good choice. You know, something to think about at least…
This My Old School is awesome. Actually has horns, great guitar work, too. And is that Taj Mahal singing and playing harp on She Caught The Katy? Yep, it is. Great new year’s show overall, btw.
And Justice For All. Live in Birmingham, AL at WorkPlay on Nov 17, 2007.
Layla. This band continues to surprise me. In a good way.
If anyone linked to umphrey’s reads this i would absolutely die if you guys would cover The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot at Traverse City Opera House
Was lucky enough to see 2 of the ones on the list. One of my favorite’s was the Toto “Roseanna” cover they did at the Electric Factory a couple years ago. DANCE PARTY.
shine on you crazy diamond at all good was the greatest day of my life! I was blown away by their ability to recreate the song so accurately! WOW! Also saw The Can’t you hear me knockin at Ram’s Head. Top notch.
Hi – does anyone know where you can get all of their cover songs in one place? thanks!
Umphrey’s McGee 01- Billie Jean.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 02- Africa.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 03- Se A Cabo.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 04- Machine Gun.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 05- Down Under.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 06- When The World Is Running Down.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 07- In The Flesh.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 08- Another Brick In The Wall jam.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 09- I Want You Back.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 10- Trenchtown Rock.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 11- And Justice For All.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 12- So What.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 13- Lochs Of Dread.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 14- Blackwater.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 15- Ain’t Nuthin But A G Thang.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 16- Fool In The Rain.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 17- You Can’t Blame The Youth.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 18- Catfish Blues.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 19- Roses.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 20- Waiting Room.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 21- Shine On You Crazy Diamond.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 22- Cherub Rock.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 23- The Skunk The Goose and The Fly.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 24- Power of Soul.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 25- The Song Remains The Same.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 26- Regulate.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 27- Father & Son.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 28- YYZ.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 29- Tonight I’m Gonna Rock It Tonight.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 30- Hill Street Blues Theme.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 31- Good Ole Boys.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 32- Peter Gunn Theme.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 33- The Stranger.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 34- Tell Me Something Good.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 35- Ain’t Too proud To Beg.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 36- Allright, Uptight.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 37- Signed Sealed, Delivered.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 38- Shotgun.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 39- Otis Instrumental.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 40- Ms. Gradenko.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 41- I’ve Got A Feeling.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 42- Paradise City.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 43- Jessica.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 44- All Night Long.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 45- Lenny.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 46- Hey 19.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 47- Kielbasa Sausage.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 48- Kinky Reggae.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 49- Rastaman Chant.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 50- Comin in From The Cold.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 51- Xxplosive.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 52- Lets Get it on.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 53- Were going to war.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 54- White Wedding.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 55- Scenes From an Italian Restaraunt.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 56- Senor Mouse.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 57- Willie The Pimp.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 58- Jesus is Just Allright.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 59- Walk the Proud Land.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 60- Bron-Yr-Aur.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 61- Black Water.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 62- That’s The Way.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 63- Goodbye Blue Sky.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 64- Because.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 65- You Never Give Me Your Money.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 66- Sun King.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 67- Mean Mr. Mustard.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 68- Polythene Pam.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 69- She Came In Through the Bathroom Window.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 70- Carry That Weight.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 71- The End.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 72- Her Majesty.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 73- Night Moves.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 74- Got Me Wrong.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 75- 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 76- Can’t Find My Way Home.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 77- Jared.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 78- Duet.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 79- Stewart w Teases.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 80- Father & Son.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 81- Making Flippy Floppy.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 82- Big Heart.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 83- I Ran.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 84- It’s About That Time.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 85- A Fifth of Beethoven.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 86- The Girl is Mine-Jane Says-The Girl Is Mine.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 87- Hysteria.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 88- Lodi Dodi.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 89- Bright Lights, Big City.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 90- Cocaine Jam.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 91- Baby You’re A Rich man.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 92- Heart and Soul.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 93- Dirty Love.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 94- Rebubula.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 95- Over The Hills and Far Away Jam.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 96- Family Fued Theme.mp3
Umphrey’s McGee 97- Apeman.mp3
amy, post back and i can send you all of those covers. its called covers vol.1-6
I like Umpherys, mcgee they have big following like alt rock & indie rock band but unlike Phish who was mainstream thesse guys are a underground Jamband I like their Africa Toto cover But Rush cover of YYZ was to me pretty bad that why it didn,t hit the top 10 list Dreamtheater demo in 1985 was just as bad but still like thesse guys Both DT and Umphery mcgee ,s do live covers.