Words: Carla Danca
Photos: Jeremy Gordon (TO FOLLOW)
With the sun finally out in full force and only bright fluffy white clouds in the sky, Day 2 of Mountain Jam had the makings of a perfect day. I hurried over to the mountain to catch The Macpodz and their vibrant horns started the day out right. Brett Dennen kept it going with more smooth roots rock that was easy and familiar, perfect for those who might still be recovering. Something that struck me was that unlike most afternoon slots at festivals, there were a lot of people out on the hill; apparently Mt Jam organizers know how to pick them.
By afternoon it was beautifully cool and breezy, and I was excited for Gomez to take the stage. Seducing the crowd with their infectious song, Airstream Driver, I like them more with every listen. With the perfect mix of raspiness and grit, How We Operate shows the range this band has. From easy pop to hard hitting rock they blend all sorts of sounds and keep me wanting more.
The day rolled on with Jackie Greene who may be young but his talent shows. He included a nod to the Grateful Dead in New Speedway Boogie as well as a personal favorite of mine, Velvet Underground’s Waiting for My Man. The Hold Steady made sure to give fans a taste of their new album including their new single Memphis. READ ON for more…
Words: Carla Danca
Photos: Jeremy Gordon
The first day of Mountain Jam, held at beautiful Hunter Mountain in the northern Catskills of New York, had something for everyone.
I started the day with Marco Benevento Trio and a cover of MMJ’s Golden that was so beautiful even a butterfly was drawn to the stage. Next up was PBS (Porter Batiste and Stoltz) with a set so filled with funky grooves that it seemed to call down the rain, with some help from an on-stage rain dance of sorts by George. Railroad Earth and Tea Leaf Green had the crowds dancing and smiling despite the on again / off again showers. By the time Umphrey’s was up and the lights had begun to fade, things really started to move. Warren got in his first sit in of the day with a cover of The Rolling Stones’ Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, as Umphrey’s wrapped up its set.
But this is Gov’t Mule’s festival and it wouldn’t be their style to let anyone go home without a serious taste of what they bring – Warren tearing into that guitar so furiously that picks were flying off stage like dirty cigarette butts. With covers from Led Zeppelin, Ray Charles, The Grateful Dead and Neil Young, I’m not sure if there is anything that they can’t make their own. George Porter joined then on stage and the second set ended with Tea Leaf Green’s Josh Clark and Trevor Garrod joining in for a stunning Cortez the Killer, while the crowd helped out in a sing-a-long.
If you could made it to late night however, you were in for a something special. Girl Talk fronted an all out party on stage complete with dozens of girls dancing on stage while tossing toilet paper streamers and even an inflatable whale into the crowd. His thumping set was filled with all your guilty pleasure songs from the past 20 years—the ones you can’t resist singing along to when you’re alone in the car. Inside, Eric Krasno and Chapter 2 gave a different kind of dance party, with some straight up rock and roll including a cover of Hendrix’s Manic Depression.
READ ON for more of Carla’s thoughts and Jeremy’s photos from Hunter…
While Phish continues to rehearse at the DCU Center (aka The Centrum) in Worcester, the Hidden Track team is getting ready to hit the road for what promises to be an amazing time touring with Phish. We’ll have plenty of coverage from each show including photos and reviews. For updates live from the scene of the crime be sure to follow the YEMblog Twitter feed.
[Photo by Dan Gould/ T&G Staff]
Safe travels to those who are also headed out over the next few days.
Photographer Chris Cartelli took a trip down south to attend last weekend’s Amberland Festival which was thrown by jam-rockers Perpetual Groove at Cherokee Farms in Lafayette, Georgia and delivered these shots…
Years ago, when I was working for Legal Seafoods in Boston, Mass there was - and still is - a great restaurant in Cambridge named The East Coast Grill. The Chef/Owner, Chris Schlesinger, created an amazing hot sauce there called Inner Beauty Real Hot Sauce that was bottled and sold outside the restaurant in stores. Regrettably, that sauce is no longer made for retail sale, although legend has it you can go to East Coast Grill and ask Chris for some and he will provide it to you.
Anyhow, forward to the present. I recently attended the Hot Dog Hootenany at The Astor Center and had the chance to meet the guys behind Wheelhouse Pickles. I was talking to John, one of the guys behind Wheelhouse, when we got on the subject of hot sauces. He told me I had to try his Minor Threat Sauce.
These guys have come oh so close to duplicating one of my favorite all time hot sauces (except I thought It could be a little bit hotter, but that’s me). If you like flavorful spicy sauces rather than just really hot sauces, check out Minor Threat, it will make everything you eat taste that much better. I know, I have already gone through several jars since I was given my first bottle by the Wheelhouse crew.
READ ON for more about Minor Threat sauce and this week’s links…
This evening marks the end of Jay Leno’s reign as host of NBC’s Tonight Show. Incoming Tonight Show host Conan O’Brien will be Jay’s last guest in what should be a nice passing of the torch. Iconic singer/songwriter James Taylor will be the final musical guest. Leno will follow his 17 years on the Tonight Show by taking over the 10PM slot for the Peacock.
Friday, May 29 [all times Eastern]:
- Mountain Jam: Gov’t Mule [iClips 9PM]
- Jay Leno: James Taylor [NBC 11:35PM]
- Jimmy Kimmel Live: Flo Rida [ABC Midnight]
Saturday, May 30:
- Austin City Limits: Sufjan Stevens [PBS Check Local Listings]
- Mountain Jam: Gene Ween Band [iClips 5:45PM]
- Rock Docs: Women of Sunset Strip [VH1 Classic 10PM]
Sunday, May 31:
- Mountain Jam: The Brew [iClips Noon]
- Rusted Root: Live From Philly [HDNet 4:50PM]
- Dave Matthews Band: Weekend On The Rocks [Fuse 7PM]
The music of Phish has been used in movies and for tv shows but the quartet’s music has never been featured in a video game… until now.
A developer for Harmonix - the makers of the popular Rock Band series of games - has announced that the downloadable content for the week of June 2nd will include a live version of Wilson as part of the Bonnaroo Pack. Other songs included in the Bonnaroo Pack will be Ben Harper and Relentless7’s Shimmer & Shine, Coheed and Cambria’s A Favor House Atlantic and The Running Free, Shooter Jennings’ Steady at the Wheel and TV on the Radio’s Wolf Like Me. Quite a varied selection of tunes.
All tracks are original master recordings and these tracks will be available for purchase as part of the Bonnaroo Pack or as individual tracks for Xbox 360 and PS3 systems. Each track costs $1.99 or you can purchase the entire pack for $9.99. We hoped for a straight-up Phish Pack of Rock Band songs, but this is certainly a start. [via Rock Band Forums, HT - @mdphunk]
Love both bands, love one & hate the other, tolerate one & swear by the other, regardless of your allegiances there’s no denying the long history that Phish and the Dave Matthews Band share. Clearly the band members enjoy playing together as displayed by Dave’s choice of words and delivery of this quote that my friend Chris and I have always been huge fans of…
“It’s always a massive honor to come and share the stage with Trey Anastasio”. - Dave Matthews, 2/28/2001.
[Photo from Phish.com's TMIPH]
The history between the two bands continues this weekend when DMB takes the stage for two shows at Fenway Park with Willie Nelson opening up both performances before Phish plays a Fenway show of their own on Sunday. Then, both bands head to the Big Apple early next week for Phish’s three shows at Jones Beach and DMB’s special intimate show at the Beacon Theatre on Monday celebrating the release of their new album Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.
With that in mind, we’re taking this opportunity to look back with a special audio history detailing the numerous collaborations there have been between the two bands over the years…
1994-04-20 Virginia Horse Center, Lexington VA (Phish)
You Enjoy Myself (w/Dave Matthews Band)
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READ ON to hear the rest of the DMB/Phish collaborations…
Calexico - Stockholm 04/25/2003 [MP3] [Stream]
Formed in 1990 around the core of guitarist/singer/songwriter Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino, Calexico has been delivering their own brand of eclectic music starting with their debut album Spoke
in 1996. Acting more so as a collective, besides Joey & John, the band’s revolving door of musicians over the years helped to formulate a sound that is as unique as it is pleasant. Drawing from music such as mariachi Tejano music and Southwestern country music, Calexico’s live shows are eclectic and exciting.
For those who are familiar with this band, you will know that when it comes to live performance Calexico delivers in a huge way. This show documents a stop in Stockholm, Sweden on the tour supporting their then most recent album Feast of Wire.
This show in particular has the band playing at the absolute top of their game with a setlist that is strong in both substance and in the order they are played. There is a consistent flow through out and the production of this recording is top notch. I’d even dare to say that it is one of the greatest live recordings I have ever heard in my life.
Check out more from Don at The Great Southern Brainfart.
After shelling out money for all those shed shows this summer, money is probably tight for hitting your local record shop for some new tunes. Well luckily the folks over at Sub Pop have got you covered as the seminal indie label are offering up their free Cyber Sex Digital Sampler. The 14 track download includes a who’s who from their current roster with tracks from Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine, Vetiver, Flight Of The Conchords and more.
Finally, in what is sure to be continuing trend in bands embracing emerging technology Wilco has released their very own free iPhone app. Wilco (The App) will allows fans “to track the band’s tour dates, check out photos, keep up to date on Wilco’s latest news, and stream songs and videos”.
