Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Shenandoah Breakdown
2. Missin' Me
3. Mouna Bowa
4. Bar Stool
5. Take Five
6. Hey Pocky Way
7. Black Clouds

Disc 2:

1. Lester's Rant
2. Footprints
3. Don't Say
4. Birdland
5. Hold Whatcha Got
6. Jellyfish
7. Drum Jam
8. Texas

Product Details

• Released on: 1999-10-12
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .26 pounds

From Amazon.com
This Boulder, Colorado, quintet does many things well, but nothing great. This double-CD set, culled from 13 different performances, shows off their breadth as they move from electro-bluegrass to fusion to funk to prog-rock like kiddies in a toy store. While they certainly have the chops to pull it off, they wind up playing away from their strengths too often. Everything from bluegrass stomps like "Shenandoah Breakdown" and Jimmy Martin's "Hold What You've Got" to jazz staples made famous by Dave Brubeck, Weather Report, and Miles Davis, to the Meters' "Hey Pocky Way" is fair game. There's an infectious energy and a lively experimental spirit at work, and their stylistic range keeps things interesting to say the least--especially over the course of a long live set. But without a bit more focus and some more compelling originals, there are too many low points to suffer through, especially for those of us listening at home without benefit of the live vibe. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Good Live Stuff.
String Cheese has a thick, lush sound. True, this may not be the best live String Cheese release. But it's still a darn fine record and their sound really shows through--personal favorites of mine include the instrumental "Birdland", "Don't Say" (infinitely singalong-able), and "Mauna Bowa", a great instrumental which is probably my favorite track on the record. One of the few things I don't like about this record is the fact that it's a compilation of different shows rather than a single one, which makes the improvised transition jams seem somewhat disjointed.

A must-have for SCI fans
I've enjoyed the sounds of SCI for a couple of years now, and have found this cd to be one of my favorites. Like most jam bands, SCI works best on a live basis and their energy and excitement is really felt through the tracks of this cd. I love how both bluegrass and funk intertwine within the different tracks--with this cd you get a taste of everything and a real feel for the band's true talent on the stage! Although a popular cover, SCI's version of the classic jazz theme "Take Five" is one of my favorite cuts off this album. It sounds different everytime you listen to it. "Jellyfish" and "Texas" are also always enjoyable, and I think the boys do a mean cover of the traditional "Shenandoah Breakdown." Kang is crazy on the mandolin! They also do total justice to Arthur Neville's, "Hey Pocky Way," with a wicked jam in there too. If you ever get the chance, see these guys in concert! They always promise an unforgetable show!

in the defense of Billy
unlike the above, I found the SCI release of Carnival 99 to be very fullfilling, enough so to go buy the rest of there titles. The release is best approached from a very simple stand point, the music is fun. Its not a prolific, standard shattering release, its just some songs that display the groups diverse ability and taste, both in covers, and there original works. You'll find a song that really sticks out, and over time find the rest of the album, to be very new and evolving. And while no recording will ever be able to capture the energy of there live shows, Carnival 99 will give you a taste of a very original, very independant sounding jam bands. Dont approach it as a critic, just listen to it.