Speaking of popular tunes that are missing on this album, you’ve got to wonder why UM never performed the terrific start-stop riff-heavy number “Nemo” (from 2006’s Safety In Numbers CD) at the Murat on either night (April 6-7, 2007). And why didn’t “Believe The Lie” (also from SIN CD) make the cut when it was part of the April 6, 2007 set?
These relatively small issues aside, both CDs are a terrific, exhilarating listen that will impress any longtime fan of the jam band and progressive rock (in the vein of UM's predecessors and influences like Phish, The Grateful Dead, and Frank Zappa). But it does not quite accomplish UM’s goal of representing everything they can be as a band. They have loads of good-to-great songs, but not all of them are here. To be considered a Hall-of-Fame-bound classic live release, Murat needed to do better than hit a triple. With its long experience as a live band, it should’ve hit a home run.
Maybe Umphrey’s McGee will next time. But for now, they’re at least playing the game exceptionally well and giving you your money’s worth, which is more than you can say about many performers these days.
For more info on Umphrey’s McGee, including details on new, digital-only live albums, visit the band's website. The track list for Murat is below.
Disc One
1. "In the Kitchen (Acoustic Structure)"
2. "Acoustic Improvisation"
3. "Electric Improvisation"
4. "In the Kitchen (Electric Structure)"
5. "Higgins"
6. "The Fuzz"
7. "Nothing Too Fancy" (End)
8. "Ringo"
9. "Hajimemashite"
10. "Ringo, Pt. 2"
11. "Eat"
Disc Two
1. "40's Theme"
2. "The Triple Wide"
3. "Angular Momentum"
4. "Push the Pig"
5. "Out of Order"
6. "White Man's Moccasins"
7. "Padgett's Profile"
Article comments