Umphrey’s McGee gives fans what they want

There’s nothing like going to a live concert. To a music fan like me, every day is just a countdown to the next show. Some of my most memorable nights are from shows I have attended.

The friendly atmosphere and high energy found at live shows is amazing.

There is always a great show to attend, but they can get expensive and/or fall on the wrong date, which may cause some fans to miss even the most talked-about concert.

This is why live albums are a must-own for any true music fan. A great live album will give the listener an opportunity to experience the essence of a concert anywhere at any time.

One of the most high-energy bands to play live is the Midwestern-based jam band Umphrey’s McGee. While they are known as a jam band, they have separated themselves from the classic jam band styling of The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band or Phish.

Umphrey’s McGee tastefully blends just about any genre of music one can think of, including funk, jazz, electronic and even metal. They never disappoint an audience and always play to the crowd.

Another great aspect of an Umphrey’s McGee show is you can always count on at least one great cover song. I’ve heard them cover artists Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Rage Against the Machine to name a few.

In a successful effort to please their fans, Umphrey’s McGee recently released "Hall of Fame: Class of 2011," which is a collection of their best live performances of 2011 chosen by their fans.

Umphrey’s McGee is one of the most fan-loyal bands out there. The new live compilation does a great job in sampling all of the musical assets of the band.

It begins with the an easygoing rendition "Ocean Billy," which gives the listener a great 22 minutes of smooth improvised jams and solid musicianship.

For MGMT and Nirvana fans, Umphrey’s McGee added an interesting blend of "Come as You Are" and "Kids." The mix of two songs so different from one another represents everything the band is about; great music.

I have seen them perform several times at multiple festivals and small venues and they play completely different sets every time. One show was pretty heavy, while others were spacey and sounded more like Pink Floyd.

If there’s one thing to expect from Umphrey’s McGee, it is the unexpected. They will always perform to please the crowd but will change it up every show.

If you are not familiar with Umphrey’s McGee, "Hall of Fame: 2011" is the best way to get a taste of everything they offer.

Even though the album is great, seeing them live has no comparison.

Make sure to check them out in Pittsburgh Oct. 19 at Stage AE.

For more information on Umphrey’s McGee and where to see their next show, visit www.umphreys.com.