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Providence Local News 'n' Reviews
February 16, 1999

"I Think, Therefore I Jam:" Innovative Rock at its Finest

If you happened to be in the audience when Boston's JIGGLE THE HANDLE played the Met Café on Valentine's Day, you got a treat for all the senses. One fan's T-shirt read "I think, therefore I jam," and that about sums up the band's attitude. JIGGLE presents a crafty blend of jamming abilities and musical talent in the tradition of THE GRATEFUL DEAD and PHISH. This is no ordinary rock band. The evening was a trip into a world where improvisational abilities took center stage, and genres ranged from rootsy rock and from-the-gut blues to tastes of reggae, jazz, and country.

JIGGLE THE HANDLE loves the fans, and the fans love JIGGLE. Throughout the set, the band members maintained an easy rapport with the audience, chatting while they tuned their instruments and discussing Valentine's Day: "If you're not with the one you love tonight, love us!" They even orchestrated an audience-participation call-and-response medley. It was obvious that they were playing for the cheerful crowd as much as for themselves.

JIGGLE's set was richly diverse and fun to dance to; most of the crowd swayed and bounced in what was less a refined dancing style than an exhibition of primal urges. By opening with a lengthy number involving intricate vocal harmonies -- every member of the band took the mic at one point or another -- and a jamming guitar solo, JIGGLE THE HANDLE made its message clear. They were at the Met to have a good time and kick out the tunes.

Toward the end of the nearly two-hour show, the jams seemed to lag at times. But for the most part, JIGGLE put on an incredibly entertaining show. Songs glided into each other languidly as the band fused musical styles with practiced ease. One innovative highlight was a variation on scat singing in which the band members warbled echo-distorted nonsense words, accompanied by classic rock guitar, a funky breakdown of solos, and finally a rousing drum solo.

The brightest spot of the evening was when tenor saxophonist Jessica Surie of the jazz trio LIVING DAYLIGHTS, which opened the show, joined the crew on stage. Together they played a jazz/funk number that showcased Surie's incredible talents as well as JIGGLE's solid musical prowess. Surie glided from jazz elegance to staccato chirping, and back to a rich, blow-the-roof-off sound. The JIGGLE band members kept up with her every step of the way. It was hard not to be impressed by the entire production.

For the uninitiated into the world of jam bands, a JIGGLE THE HANDLE show is a good place to get your feet wet. The band offers a little something for everyone, and a relaxing, mind-expanding atmosphere where you can experience the joy of purely spontaneous music at its best.

-- Christine Pawlak
MTV Local Stringer
feedlocal@mtvmail.com
(February 16, 1999)