April 7
Twiddle is one of the up and coming bands in the jam band scene. By combining a hippie aesthetic with reggae influenced jams, the band has become a hit on the festival circuit. Check them out at the Gathering of the Vibes, playing “Jamflowman”.
April 1
One of the common traits of a jam band is their affinity for cover songs. Jam Bands will often take obscure or well known covers and do them in their own style. Sometimes covers become welcome staples of their setlists, and other times they serve as a nice surprise. This we we have Widespread Panic, one of the most popular jam bands on the scene today, performing the Guess Who’s “No Sugar Tonight/ New Mother Nature”. Enjoy.
March 24
Widely considered one of the greatest live acts of the 1970s, Little Feat was an L.A. band that specialized in Southern funk and boogie. In 1977, they released Waiting for Columbus, a classic live album that documented their shows at the Rainbow Theater in London and George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. Unfortunately, by this time the band was in decline, and band leader Lowell George only had two more years to live. However even a sub-standard Little Feat show was some of the tightest music around. Today, Little Feat is an inspiration to many of the bands on the jam scene, and still tours. Check this version of “Spanish Moon” from the Rainbow Theatre in 1977.
March 17
This week we have Umphrey’s McGee playing “Ocean Billy” at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater. The song comes from the bands’ well received third album, Safety in Numbers (2006). The track last only a little over six minutes on record, but here the band are able to comfortably take it for a spin over nearly 19 minutes. Definitely worth a full listen.
March 10
After the death of their bassist Allen Woody in 2000, Gov’t Mule was faced with a choice. They could either breakup or find a replacement. It took the band three years to find his permanent replacement, Andy Hess, and they continue to tour with Hess to this day. However, in 2001 they decided to do an album, “Off the Deep End”, with an all-star lineup of bass players (including Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, and Mike Gordon) and other guests as a tribute to Woody. Gov’t Mule then toured with a revolving line-up of bass players to fill Woody’s spot. On May 3, 2003, this project came to an end with a show held at New Orleans’ Saenger Theater. Recorded as the “Deepest End”, Gov’t Mule were joined by a impressive lineup of bassists and other talented musicians. In this video, they are joined by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools and saxophonist Karl Denson for a performance of the Mule’s own “Blind Man in the Dark”.
As usual guitarist Warren Haynes’s leads are strong and bluesy and School’s bass playing is laid-back. In my personal opinion Matt Abts is hero of this jam, holding it all down with his effortless drumming. Also, Karl Denson’s saxophone solo is an obvious highlight of this performance.
March 3
moe. giving “Moth” a workout at Gathering of the Vibes. Al gets really into the guitar solo.
February 24