It would be hard to find a rhythm section that tops the one Vida Blue keyboardist Page McConnell, on hiatus from Phish, brought to Bogart's Sunday night.

        Playing a six-string bass, Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers) showed great technical ability, perfect timing and impeccable taste. His virtues and his style matched those of drummer Russell Batiste, a veteran of the Meters.

        There is more to a band, though, than great musicians, and there were moments when the talents of all three artists seemed wasted. When Vida Blue gelled, they put most other jam bands to shame. This happened consistently during the long instrumentals sprinkled throughout their two-hour, 12-song set, and it was especially true of the opener, “Most Events Aren't Planned,” from Vida Blue's recently released first album.

        After singing a few verses, Mr. McConnell embarked on a solo that lasted almost 10 minutes. More concerned with building soundscapes than displaying virtuoso technique, he took his time setting up ideas that were both ethereal and funky. Oscillating synthesizer sounds added a techno feel that greatly enhanced the music.

        The next song, on the other hand, was simply an excuse for a drum solo and some scat-singing synchronized with a bass solo. At this point the musicians seemed more concerned with displaying technique than playing a song.

        Appropriately enough, the band followed a Pink Floyd cover (“Sheep”) with an original composition that sounded like what early '70s' Pink Floyd might have recorded if they decided to make their music that much more languid and their lyrics even spacier. If the entire country were addicted to valium, “Electra Glide” would be our national anthem.

        There were many other covers to come — too many, actually. They included John Lennon's “Jealous Guy,” Little Feat's “Day or Night” and Led Zeppelin's “No Quarter.” Such a heavy reliance on covers seemed questionable when the lead singer is a so-so vocalist and Vida Blue is trying to establish its own identity. It seemed odd, too, that a band with so much energy would choose such low-key cover songs.

        Nevertheless, those objections were forgotten during the encore, John Lennon's “Instant Karma,” which was soulful and heartfelt — in other words, like the original.

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