First of all I wanted to say this is not a Max's Picks show. It would have been but it was circulating before Max's Picks came into being.
This was the first show I saw with the new lineup for the 20th Congress. The new lineup is:
Robert Walter (keys)
Cochemea Gastelum (sax, flute)
Will Bernard (guitar)
Joe Russo (drums)
Mike Fratantuno (bass)
I wasn't quite sure what to expect as I had grown to love the old lineup. Once they started busting out some of the funkiest tunes I had ever heard, I knew this was going to be a good show! I knew Joe Russo was an incredible drummer and everyone knows Will Bernard is the best guitarist on the scene. So for me the only unknown was Mike F on bass (formerly of the Black Eyed Peas). All worries were put to rest when he took his bass solo in (Everybody Wanna Get Rich) Rite Away. I've never heard such a relentlessly funky bass solo! He was working hard to impress and it showed!!
This was my favorite show (until Robert and co. TORE up NYE!!). It is a definite must hear. Jeff Patton (THE MAN to talk to when it comes to 20th Congress recently put this show in his top 5 shows off 2002 list -all the way at #1!!. Here's what he said about it:
"Hands down probably the best sleeper show of 2002. This show circulates but nobody ever talks about it! The Fathom Five and What'd I Say are quite possibly the best ever. The Fathom Five is the best ever.....everything else is icing on the cake."
'Nuff said. Download this show!

one of max's picks: max is the sound guy for congress and he selected four shows from their east coast swing '02 as his favorite shows to delight us with.

it is easy to see why this was selected. they threw down some stuff like i have never heard from them before at this show. they really were hitting a groove here and jelling like none other. if you get this show, get the other max's picks...trust me...this will open up a new part of your mind where the funk glands may be a little atrophied and bring them to LIFE!!!