The Magic Beans performed one of the most memorable nights that the Fox Theatre has seen in its storied history last Friday, November 20th.  

The Magic Beans got their start in Boulder, CO, and played their first show at Rolling Stone’s #4 rated club in America: the Fox Theatre, on June 17, 2010.  Throughout their illustrious five year career, the band has gone through multiple lineup changes.  Initially a member was added: Casey “The Love Muscle” Russell on keyboard/synth/vocals.  Russell elevated the sound to heights that nobody knew about as he provided a new piece to the puzzle with the keys and new original tracks. 

Two drummers went through the band until the Beans arrived with their current drummer, Cody Wales, who also exceeded expectations in aiding the ascent of this euphonious journey.  The current line up consists of Scott Hachey leading on vocals/guitar, Casey Russell on keys/synth/vocals, Cody Wales on percussion, and Josh Appelbaum on bass.

During their tenure The Magic Beans have progressively produced a liquid sound that only becomes possible in a live setting.  Every time the band changes something, they seem to reach a fresh plane of sonic territory. This is mindful, transformative, musical, meditative bliss at its finest. By blending bluegrass, jazz fusion, rock and roll, funk, americana, folk, and electronica The Magic Beans produce a truly unique sound.  They have the ability to take the listener from that comfy bluegrass home to a rocket ship in the snap of a finger. Their jams sincerely progress the sound into a genre-defying state of musical nirvana.

Naturally, for Appelbaum’s final hometown performance with the Beans, emotions ran high. The show opened with a set from Andy Frasco & The UN, as the band’s leading man, Frasco, has the stamina of an Olympic swimmer. He is a wonderful keyboard player, yet what separates him from the flock is his uncontrolled energy combined with his soulful, seductive vocals. His band complements his presence with an entire energy of its own. Strongly timed drumming accompanied by tuba, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass, keys, and vocals provided for a raucous showing.

Highlights for the UN included an unforgettable performance of Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name Of”, an appearance by Casey Russell from The Magic Beans, an appearance by FESTY JESUS, a toast to life, and a crowdsurfing excursion by Frasco.  Andy Frasco combines the hilarity of a comedy act with the energy of a rock show and by doing so creates a match seemingly made in heaven.

Energy was blowing the roof off the Fox after Andy Frasco’s booming performance, as The Magic Beans took the stage. Original bandmates Chris Franklin, Will Trask, and Hunter Welles were there to join the band for what would be bassist Josh Appelbaum’s last show in Boulder. 

The first set started with the Casey Russell penned “As You Like It”, a tune easily recognizable by an unforgettable groove and catchy lyrics.  Former bandmate Will Trask joined the entire show on percussion, helping to create a tightened, soaring space funk expedition. A relatively new track by the name of “Night Games” followed, proving that the Beans are on a blissful ascent of improvisational magnificence. 

Chris Franklin was called to the stage for what was potentially the best performance of “Jabu Jabu’s Belly” to date. Trask switched over from his percussion kit to the sitting drum kit and Wales joined Franklin on the percussion for this version of “Jabu”. All three Magic Bean drummers on stage pushed the band to new limits, creating the definitive, progressive sound that Beans fans know and love.  To do it at home, in the Fox, only made it that much more special for the Team. Appelbaum was ever present during this rendition and pushed this jam into the jungle. 

The optimistic “Jamboree” carried the energy and happiness that the crowd was feeling and tossed it in a hot air balloon.  Family vibes were in the air.   “Love Stank” followed in a traditional baby making fashion that the Beans tend to inspire.  The esteemed Hunter Welles, a founding member, joined in to play electric mandolin and end the first set with a nearly twenty minute version of the Bean classic, “¡Adonde!” that sent the crowd into a frenzy of joy. It featured teases of “Shakedown Street”, “Solid Gold”, and some beautiful bass lines throughout.

In a testimony to the eccentric bassist, the second set began with a Josh Appelbaum original, “Blackout”.  The instrumental travels from space bass to shred and back again.  “Blackout” was succeeded by “Pizza Baby”, another tune that Appelbaum helped to write.  His bass lines sent the jam into a supreme realm of space funk.

“Pizza Baby” seamlessly segued into another feel good track, “Operation”.  This is a song defined by joyous guitar lyrics and a playful melody.  It also enters a state of serious space funk when, after five minutes, Appelbaum lets loose on his Lakland.  Bean lyrics are characterized by optimism, and “Operation” is a perfect example of this message.  

Andy Frasco came on stage to bless the crowd with his soul during a cover of Mark Morrison’s classic R&B tune, “Return of the Mack”. To have Andy Frasco singing with the backbeat of the Magic Beans created the same magic that musicians like James Brown or Marvin Gaye were able to produce.

One of the first ever Bean songs written, “Mind Over Matter”, helped keep the spirits high as the Team got sent on a ride through Space Mountain.  The sheer liquidity of the band allowed “MoM” to mesh directly into the eloquently composed “Knick Knack”, which further defined the dance party space funk expedition. 

Welles came out to close the show with a roaring rendition of “Zumbai”. Guitarist Scott Hachey was able to show off the tone in his Alembic during this tune.  “Zumbai” packs a punch, and Welles only made that ever more present with the pitch of his mandolin. The song is a fan-favorite, and a great way to close a night littered with joy, smiles, happiness, collaborations, jams, and some tears.

The Bean Dream has been alive and thriving for the past five years, with the band never missing a beat. The band is a four-piece space funk jazz-odyssey, consistently elevating their fans to new emotional peaks at every show. The Magic Beans are traveling in a rocket at an incredible speed and their trip has only just begun.  The fans are entering a new age of music and it is quite hard not to think about the bliss that will ensue. TO INFINIBEAN AND BEYOND!!!!

Listen to the full show audio below, via taper Charlie Campbell-Harris:

Setlist: The Magic Beans at the Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO – 11/20/15

Set I: As You Like It*, Night Games*, Jabu Jabu’s Belly^, Jamboree*, Love Stank*, ¡Adonde!#+

Set II: Blackout*, Pizza Baby*> Operation*, Return of the Mack$, Mind Over Matter*> Knick Knack*, Zumbai#

* – With Will Trask on Percussion
^ – With Will Trask on Drums and Chris Franklin and Cody Wales on Percussion
# – With Will Trask on Percussion and Hunter Welles on Mandolin
+ – Featured “Shakedown Street” and “Solid Gold” Teases
$ – With Andy Frasco on Vocals 

The Magic Beans Tour Dates (Josh’s Last Shows)

12/03  Billings, MT: The Pub Station
12/04  Bozeman, MT: The Filling Station
12/05  Missoula, MT: The Top Hat

Words and Photos by Andrew Preissing. Full Gallery: