CD Review

The third release in the Yonder Mountain String Band live Mountain Tracks series presents material recorded live at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colorado on September 12th &13th, 2003. The first double-disc offering in the series, these two particular shows are highlighted by many guest appearances, chiefly that of virtuoso Darol Anger on fiddle.

Every once in a while a live release happens to capture a band at a peak moment in their career and goes a long way to define a band’s legacy. This is not that album. While Volume 3 (as well as the first two volumes) just may represent some of the best live bluegrass recorded and released, inside or outside of the jam world, in this millennium, what’s on these discs perfectly represents what one has come to expect from a live Yonder Mountain concert. In other words, Mountain Tracks: Volume 3 is far from essential for one who is already a fan of this band’s music; there’s probably nothing here you haven’t heard already.

Unless of course, you’re like me and you want to get your hands on everything by the bands you like, in which case consider this release highly essential as it features scorching versions of some of the band’s classics as well as some choice cover material. Disc one starts off right with one of Willie Nelson’s most underrated cuts, “Bloody Mary Morning,” a tune handled precisely by these jamgrass veterans. Other disc one highlights include the original “Steep Grade, Sharp Curves” with it’s stellar banjo playing by Dave Johnston and the rollicking “Traffic Jam” which features the lighting fast fiddle work of Anger, a song written by bass player Ben Kaufmann.

Side note: There’s also a really nice, although slightly predictable cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” which goes unlisted on the track listing but can be found hidden at the end of disc one and segues rather uncomfortably into the theme song from “Three’s Company.”

Disc two is supported with guest appearances by friends of the band; Sally Truitt (banjo) on the traditional “Old Plank Road,” and Rashad Eggleston (banjo) and Brittany Haas (fiddle) as well as more Anger on the final thirty minute medley containing old Bill Monroe’s “Kentucky Mandolin,” as well as the fan favorite originals penned by mandolin player and band leader Jeff Austin; “Peace of Mind” and “Snow On The Pines.”

Altogether, Mountain Tracks: Volume 3 represents what we’ve come to love and expect from the band; intricate, jam-soaked bluegrass that somehow swings comfortably between tight &serious and loose &goofy. Is this a career defining live release a la The Who’s Live at Leeds or the Allman Brothers Band’s Live at Fillmore East? No. Is it a positive statement by a great live band heading in an exciting direction? Yes, and then some.