Sturmer was an all time great vocalist. When his voice is bare on Bellybutton, the way it goes into that raspy territory is incredible, the simultaneous control and passion
I was fortunate enough to see Jellyfish open for Tears For Fears back in 1993. I'd only heard their name at the time. They completely blew me away. One of the most memorable performances I've ever seen. It's too bad they didn't last
I was today old when I found out how great of a live band they were. Seriously, I've loved this album since it came out but just assumed they were more of a studio band. Never guessed they'd be able to recreate that sound live so well. Makes it an even bigger shame they imploded so early.
One of the greatest live gigs I ever saw. They sounded incredible. I'd never heard of them. Got dragged to the show by a friend. They opened with No Matter What by Badfinger and I was hooked.
I saw them open for Black Crowes at Mesa Amphitheatre in June of 1991 - blew me away, bought the CD the very next day. That they were able to replicate the layers of their studio sound live was a-mazing.
@Ian Morris I remember when I got the Fan Club box and upon hearing the live sets being gobsmacked that they could pull everything off live. They are in my pantheon.
It’s often said that it’s the friction between band members that creates the musical masterpieces in this world. Never more true than with these cats. Their individual music has greatness, but when combined in Jellyfish, ahhhhhh... PERFECTION. Wish they could have held it together.
Criminally underrated band. I saw them live half a dozen times in San Francisco- The I-Beam, The Warfield, and even the Hard Rock Cafe restaurant (KFOG broadcast, remember?). No backing tapes, computers, Autotune, etc. More talent in Andy Sturmer and Roger Manning's little fingernails than the other early 90's dreck- Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc.
When I first heard this album I thought "how would they ever do a live tour with this music?" Sort of like Sgt Pepper, it's one thing to do it in the studio, but another entirely to play it live (esp the harmonies). But they did it. And I'm bummed that I wasn't there.
Young people: listen to a real band playing and Singing complex harmonies live on stage. No backing tracks or musicians off stage to help out, pure pure class. Fantastic!!!
Eric Dover did an AMAZING JOB of replacing the beloved Jason Faulkner and Tim Smith replacing Manning was probably a bit easier as manning came later than phase one - but Smith was still a glorious transition from the predecessor. Both Dover and Smith nail their parts
Eric Dover getting no love in this clip and he rips that solo too. Jellyfish still remains a criminally underrated band and largely ignored by the masses. Just a killer band. Andy Sturmer had the voice of an angel and bashed his cocktail kit with precision. Jason Faulkner & Eric Dover stunning guitarists and equally great vocalists. RJM was on another level.... And the way those vocal harmonies akin to Queen & Beatles (which were obvious influences). We need them back now, I think the world is ready now (even though I was ready in 1989 when Bellybutton was released).
Not only was it PHENOMENAL, but they did it LIVE! I want to hear the stories about why Andy might have been a challenge to work with -- where are the hangers on trying to cash in?!?!
When your singer drums, AND plays his crash like a ride, you get cymbal bleed in lead vocal mic. Great mix otherwise. Love this song. "Shake that woody...St. Pinoccio."
Was he the best singing drummer ever? Given how good his drumming is and then how strong and accurate his voice is? Usually Phil Collins wins the polls for best singing drummer. (There's also Buddy Milles, Skip Spence, Levon Helm... and ?) But Sturmer was just great. PS Does he still sing?
I dont think skip spence ever drummed and sang at the same time though.. Maybe, been a while since i heard that jefferson airplane record. The drummer for moby grape was a singing drummer though, as was the drummer of buffalo springfield, El Duce of the Mentors, Robert Wyatt of the soft machine, thats all i got off the top of my head...
Levon Helm, Don Henley, Karen Carpenter... Does /Did Dave Grohl ever drum and sing at the same time? Andy puts so much power into both! Thanks for your reply. PS I forgot about Keven Godley of 10cc, with his astounding clear falsetto!
Sometimes you're too good. And that's not good. They just didn't have enough original lure to make them special. They were incredible. But maybe just not original enough?!
I don't agree with that, they are plenty original. Queen influences for sure, but not the same. It's a huge shame they weren't hugely famous but the music world is littered with such disappointments. The masses have generally horrid musical taste.
