Naught Again
Omnivore, 2022
8/10
A previously unissued performance from the San Francisco legends that was recorded in 1992, the founding members guitarist Steve Kimock and drummer Greg Anton are joined by Nicky Hopkins (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who) Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship), Vince Welnick (The Tubes, Grateful Dead) and John Kahn (Jerry Garcia Band), among others, for the 2 discs of timeless jam band sounds.
After the spoken prologue from Robert Hunter, the warm guitars and crisp drumming of “Cole’s Law” flows with much beauty amid the jazz friendly brass, and it isn’t long until the soulful melodies of “Tangled Hangers align with firm keys and animated drumming for a prog-like journey. Disc 1 ends on “Golden Road”, where classic rock spirited guitar and no shortage of grooves span out across the 11 minutes of rhythmic moments and even bluesy harmonica bouts.
Disc 2 is equally adventurous, and begins with the hypnotic and swirling “Gregg’s Egg’s”, and it isn’t long until the dreamy textures and intimate ebbs of “Little Wing” make this the set highlight. The performance ends on “Roll Me After”, which showcases sax acrobatics, meticulous keys and a very playful yet meticulous interaction between the band.
Naught Again is newly mixed by the Emmy-nominated Brian Risner from the original multi-track tapes recorded by Dan Healy and Don Pearson (Grateful Dead). The band are back at it and playing shows in 2022; for the longtime fan or first time listener, this is a great package that sounds, feels and has aged so great.
Travels well with: Flounder- I’m The Flounder; The Rileys- Way Out Yonder