The String Cheese Incident: Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live in Las Vegas

Kiran Herbert on December 23, 2015

In 2001, The String Cheese Incident arrived in Las Vegas for their first Sin City Incidents. The sextet had just released Outside Inside, although “Black And White” is the only song featured on this three-disc compilation. Culled from two nights at the Aladdin Theater, the 21 tracks were remixed and remastered—there are a handful of unreleased tunes, like “Howard,” “Dirk” and “Windy Mountain.” There are rarities (“SKAT”), crowd favorites (“San Jose,” “Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues”) and bluegrass interludes (“Why You Been Gone So Long,” “Sittin’ On Top of the World”). Like the band, their guests 14 years ago are still relevant: Saxophonist Karl Denson and trumpeter Andy Cleeves play on “Get Down Tonight,” while Mike Dillon adds percussion during “Mouna Bowa.” The impromptu “Aladdin Jam” clocks in under the 11-minute mark, although that’s by no means the longest track. (“Turn This Around” hits 20.) All the jams are extended, and one can imagine the July heat prompting hedonistic abandon among the crowd and musicians alike. There was even an encore with an Elvis impersonator, but that didn’t make this cut. Still, the carnival-like atmosphere leading up to such a moment remains.

Artist: The String Cheese Incident
Album: Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live in Las Vegas
Label: SCI Fidelity