September 3rd, 2024 Photography and words by Joel Shover @JoelShoverPhotography
MGM Music Hall at Fenway hosted New England’s own improvisational jam band GOOSE for a three-night run, I was lucky enough to catch night two on September 3rd, 2024. GOOSE is made up of Rick Mitarotonda (Guitar, Vocals), Peter Anspach (Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar), Trevor Weekz (Bass, vocals), Jeff Arevalo (Percussion, Vocals) Cotter Ellis (Drums).
I arrived early at this beautiful venue to take in the sights of Fenway before the doors opened. GOOSE’s loyal VIP rail riders were already lined up, so ready. Once inside Live Nations newest New England venue I was taken back by the beauty, the amount of space inside, and the complete organization of every staff member, a top-notch facility in every way, including the sound!
GOOSE hit the stage and jumped right into “DR. Darkness.” It was at this time that I truly saw with my own eyes the beast of Cotter Ellis! This is officially GOOSE 2.0 and they are on fire! I have listened to almost every show since Cotter joining the band and to now see him in his element is truly amazing! Appropriately, “Switchin’” was the first choice of only three covers the band would play for the night. This took us right into “Atlas Dogs” as we marched towards the light of “California Magic,” arguably a song with a nod to LSD, took us dripping like lava as we chased rabbits while Mitarotonda continued shredding his guitar with his signature licks.
Anspach piped the vocals for “Time to Flee” as the crowd clapped on. As Rick struck the first note we knew the wolf would be set free with “Silver Rising.”
We felt the rush as the band treated us to a debut first time played cover of “My Mind Has Been Consumed by Media” by Swimmer, Cotters’ old band! Not to be outdone by a cover of Great Blues “YETI.” This brought back some serious California magical memories of the early days when the two bands would play together in Vermont and Connecticut. What is more Boston than “Butter Rum?” Perhaps sweet Island muffins, it is something because it is played almost every time, they play in Boston dating back to The Paradise Club in 2018.
After a quick trip to the merch booth and a fresh can of Liquid Death we were ready for the second set. From the first note of “Echo of a Rose” I was immediately transformed back to 2023 at The Met in Philadelphia for the ‘Epic Echo 28 minutes of pure Philly Jam.”
To my surprise, I woke to a dream to tell me who I was before as the instrumental “Interlude II” led us to Peters church sounds at the into to “Jive II” Trevor and Jeff kept the distinct Goose sounds tweekzin in and out as Cotter banged away on that kit like a beast! The band had the look like they could jam all night long but with time not on their side it was time to tie up some “Loose Ends” as the boys tease more “Jive.”
Check out the gallery of photos by Joel Shover here.
The emotional and song held close to the hearts of many if not all Goose fans is the infinite “Red Bird” as we all flew for tomorrow, tonight!
The night was winding down but the band showed no signs of slowing down with the jam “Travelers” that features Ricks signature vocal chorus sounds that sooth as we lay still upon this flight. “Elmeg the Wise” fished out the second set as the band shook the branches of Autumn through the words were spoken silence.
The band thanked Boston for coming out and told everyone to come back again tomorrow for another fun filled night! Then the “Animal” was let loose as everyone moved their body. You’re an animal…. it’s phenomenal! GO SEE GOOSE!
Go See Live Music….
Till The Next Show…Joel
Set 1:
Dr. Darkness
Switchin’ (Wes Montgomery cover)
Atlas Dogs
California Magic
Time to Flee
Silver Rising
My Mind Has Been Consumed by Media (Swimmer cover) (Live debut)
Yeti (Great Blue cover)
Butter Rum
Set 2:
Echo of a Rose (unfinished)
Interlude II
Jive I
Loose Ends (> ‘Jive I’ reprise)
Red Bird
Travelers
Elmeg the Wise
Encore:
Animal
Goose website: https://www.goosetheband.com/
Check out the gallery of photos by Joel Shover here.
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