The show kicked off with a trio by the name of Now Vs. Now. Or at least I think that's what their name is! They kicked off with a number in 5/4. The drummer reminded me of Chris Dave (more specifically his fills). After a couple of measures grooving, the bassist broke into some vocal exercises that borrowed from Bobby Mcferrin. Then he did some Victor Wooten-esque singing/playing (he was singing what he was playing). And I'm pretty the keyboardist played with Meshell at Rose earlier this year (confirmed and true). Ok now I'm certain the keyboardist has played with Meshell on a couple of outings this year (can't remember his name, but he's bald). Then Bobba Israel comes and delivers some poetry or rather an ode to the B train (where da Bronx at!??!) The highlight of the set was when the drummer ripped into a solo that sounded like a barrage of firecrackers! Along with the keyboardist, I believe the drummer sat in when Meshell did a couple of gigs at Rose (in Brooklyn). That seems like it was long ago, but that was only April (or maybe May--the THC kinda blurs everything!!) And now the Meshell set:

They opened up with a odd meter instrumental. Meshell on the bass, Mark Kelly (no surprise there) on the bass, Chris Bruce on guitar, Jason Linden on keys (and in Now Vs. Now), and D'anthony Parks on drums. She also had a guy on slide guitar, but not the guitarist who did slide on Arthur and the Coopers. The opening number grooved so hard I can't even describe it. You really had to be there. She put the bass down for the second song and I was just hoping for some singing. Then she stopped the song and did a short welcome. After telling us how she gets nervous when the audience yells at her she (tons of sistas yelling random shit from the bleachers) she brought back a classic: Beatiful (from Bitter!)!! And to continue in the Bitter vein, Wasted Time was the next selection. If the gigs earlier this year were a step forward, this gig promised to be a retrospect. She made a funny about how she used to be such a hopeless romantic. She was a lot talkative than in the past. Then a soft instrumental. Next up: Fellowship. The next number was new to me but she didn't give the title. The Bottom was up next and she mentioned the new music she was working on could be described as pub songs. She wasn't lying cause Crying in Your Beer was next!! This is becoming one of my favorites, but if a muthafucka was crying in my Paulaner we might be fighting. I'm so glad Wilderness was next. This song has become one of my favorites! I think I like her version a lot more than the original (done by Joy Division). The next joint was Lower (lyrics: "she drinks till she passes out on the floor...) Mass transit was next. Followed by Evolution. I feel like she takes Evolution too slow when she does it live. Noticed this at the Williamsburg show in March. I missed a couple songs but picked back up with Article 3. She did a couple more, but by this time I was yearning for bed and a bit tired (and I'm house sitting for some friends in Williamsburg so I wasn't looking forward to the train out ride to Brooklyn!). I didn't even stay for the encore (a sign that I'm officially an old man at 26!). All in all a great show, full of energy and I was surprised that she did anything from her older records. Also, if you're ever in Manhattan, I suggest going to Good Burger on 18th and Broadway. Their burgers are good, their fries are great, and their strawberry milkshakes are a force to be reckoned with!

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Just a couple of quick comments

I believe the drummer for Now vs Now is Mark Guiliana (who has shared drumming duties for Meshell lately with Deantoni Parks (of KUDU fame). You can see Mark playing for Meshell in this video).

Meshell's keyboardist is Jason Lindner. I believe Now vs Now is (one of) Jason's band(s)...

"Lower" is actually "Lola." (Someone corrected me on this recently heheh)

Lastly, here is the crew performing "Article 3" in Brooklyn yesterday

Also, it was Ben Peeler on Pedal Steel. Here is Ben playing with Rusty Truck. (One or two of you might know who Rusty Truck is, and who played bass on the album version of the track...)

Thanks for the breakdown Robert!

I had been quietly trying to make my way up to new york to catch the afternoon and evening shows on the 31st, but alas couldn't get time away from the job (at least not without risking the job ...

so again thanks for the scoop!

And Matt as always thanks for the followup background info bro!
(for the record, when i first found out about the Rusted Truck track a long while ago (learned about it here on FMH in that very discography) i went and downloaded it (and other random one-off/guest meshell related tracks) from iTunes...and made my own 'misc' compilation...that Rusted Truck track 'TKO' has always been a standout favorite of mine. Love it to death.

And Robert i'm with ya...it's kind of fun to notice my own 'changing favorites' among meshells new stuff...I LOVED her version of Wilderness when i first heard it on that e-town set, and i have also noticed how Crying In Your Beer has also become a favorite. the again i can't lie, i really REALLY am loving ALL of the 'pub' songs she often plays lately. I just wish i could get to more shows (or at least that more shows would show up on the web
Good thing is, Richmond recently opened up two new/renovated small concert venues ("The National" and "Toads Place" here in town that would probably the right size for meshell and her crew...so I'm reaching out both clubs to see if they take suggestions and requests for artists we want to see play here...fingers crossed

But in the mean time, thanks to m's work i see we do already have a nice clip of the 7/31 free set...thanks dude!