Review: The Third Mind ‘Live Mind’
By Hal Horowitz
They have been described as “California psychedelic rockers,” “neo-psychedelic,” and “improvisational Americana.” None of those however quite captures the essence of The Third Mind.
In 2020 roots guitarist/singer/songwriter and Grammy winner Dave Alvin brought together a handful of musicians who felt comfortable interpreting songs that skirted the edges of blues, rock, folk, and jazz with little rehearsal and a lot of talent.
Two studio albums and a small batch of successful shows later, this quintet has proven that Alvin’s project– birthed from Miles Davis’ concept behind his ‘Bitches Brew’ period of sonic experimentation– was not only viable, but capable of expanding whatever boundaries are left for pushing in roots music.
On this, their first concert recording (the others were live in the studio), Alvin is joined by singer/guitarist Jesse Sykes, bassist Victor Krummancher, drummer Michael Jerome, and guitarist Mark Karan on seven songs;five from two studio albums, two new to this set. Since the concept is that no two versions sound the same, this snapshot of some of the most effective pieces from The Third Mind’s brief touring history affords a taste of how the concept works in its most fertile and unpredictable environment; the stage.
From the ominous, hypnotic folk of “Sally Go Round the Roses” to the throbbing instrumental blues of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s iconic “East-West” and the bold riffing that drives the Electric Flag’s underground soul classic “Groovin’ Is Easy,” the quintet winds, rewinds, unravels and often reinvents these tunes. They exude the class, care and improvisational skills that only veteran musicians used to, and comfortable with, working without a net, can provide.
Singer Sykes’ idiosyncratic trilling warble captures the sense of mystery and imagination weaving through these performances. Her vocals on Bonnie Dobson’s “Morning Dew” (best known through covers from the Grateful Dead and the Jeff Beck Group) effortlessly capture its inherent creepiness flowing from eerie folk to goose-bump inducing changes as it gradually increases in volume and drama throughout 13 snaking minutes. Alvin’s ghostly, intoxicating leads bring terse, high-wire tension to a song that encompasses everything these folks do with interpretative precision.
Fred Neil’s dreamy ballad “A Little Bit of Rain” is another Sykes highlight as she mirrors the tune’s ephemeral beauty. Perhaps this relative obscurity, reprised from the Third Mind’s second effort, will get a new lease on life. It seamlessly glides into the disc’s closing Dead’s “Dark Star,” one of two selections not on the band’s albums, likely added due to Karan’s work with the Dead’s Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. Although the original was known to extend to over a half hour, this five-minute taste is tighter but delivers a similar, if harder-edged, improvisational bluesy punch.
At nearly 15 minutes, “East-West,” from the ensemble’s 2020 debut, is the set’s longest and most gripping effort. Jerome’s percussion pushes, pulls and springs the others to shape-shift their playing. Guest Jack Rudy handles the incisive harp blowing and, while he’s no Butterfield, he acquits himself well. The repeated anchor of a six-note bass riff allows Krummancher to propel the action, encouraging Karan and Alvin to craft some electrifying solos. The group stretches out like The Allman Brothers Band for their excursions on “Whipping Post” and “Mountain Jam.”
Sykes’ spooky, dark ballad “Doralee” is the lone original. While the lovely, bittersweet narrative displays the outfit’s restraint, its inclusion slackens the disc’s otherwise exciting and edgy momentum. Also, at just an hour of playing time, another few songs from the three dates this is culled from could have been included.
Those minor quibbles aside, ‘Live Mind’ supplies what too few of us got to see;The Third Mind’s uncanny, exquisitely sympathetic synergy at work in front of a live audience, the place this band’s collaborative abilities was made for.
“Morning Dew Live”
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