Mountain Jam (June 2 – 5, 2016) Photos: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

At 2:00 AM on the second night of Mountain Jam (check out the official after movie), I was standing on the mighty Hunter Mountain and felt like I was waiting for Uncle Warren (Haynes) to dismiss me from the dinner table. 


Although not even close to the best Government Mule show I’ve ever seen, it will certainly be one of the most memorable. 


The crowds had long gone back to their condos and tents after a long day of crazy awesome music that kicked into high gear with Courtney Barnett at 4:00, followed by Jason Isbell at 6:00, Chris Robinson Brotherhood at 7:15, Wilco at 8:30 and then Mule at 10:45.


One can understand that after ten hours of “can’t miss” music, it was time to pull on the pajamas, pour a night cap and stretch the calves for day 3 of 4… BUT Mule wasn’t done and me and what was left of my crew weren’t leaving!


Uncle Warren and his side kick drummer Matt Abts kept serving up course after course of rich soul food in the form of a phat rock and roll meal. No matter how many times we thought the music peaked and the house lights would come on… they did not. The band kept churning.


So at 2:00 AM with Kova and Big John at my side bobbing and weaving with every note… Warren finally said goodnight.


Then after the house lights popped on… Warren and the band reappeared.  


That sick, crazy motherfuc$er comes back to mic and says, “I’ve been asked about this song all day and even though we’ve been playing over THREE HOURS… I wanted to share it with YOU. So here’s one more for the road.”


He then starts to play the anthemic Allman Brothers classic “Soulshine”.  Even though none of us had any more room in our head and hearts for more music, we kept eating what he was serving. It was so damn good…  


Warren finally said goodnight at 2:15 AM.


That, my friends and neighbors, is what Mountain Jam has always been about… the biggest and best music party ever. It’s always been Warren’s party and I’m thankful that our host went out of his way to show us a good time once we got there.


This year though, things were different.  I’ve belabored how to express this for a few months now… (yes, I know the concert was in June and it’s now October.) 


The reality is that music festivals are looking to make more money (i.e., Gathering of the Vibes and Clearwater were both cancelled this year due to financial issues) and the business side had reared its ugly head at Mountain Jam. It was kind of like going to a keg party that charged $10 a cup, but then charged $100 if you wanted to come inside the house.

The festival’s change in layout and expanded VIP area were a real downer. I hope that the people running the festival with Warren scale things back next year and get rid of the “red carpet” mentality. I see they changed the date to later in the month for 2017, but without a new approach to the fan experience… all the sunshine in the world won’t help keep this a must-see annual experience for the core fans.

Social media was flooded with pre-festival complaints about the introduction of different types of music this year compared to the traditional Jam Band acts. 


Tell you the truth, I was not thrilled with this year’s line-up, but I looked forward to the diversity.  But now, I too am hooping it up online for the return to the Festival’s roots.


Unfortunately, Beck sounded more like Kayne West than a funky song man, and Thievery Corporation is on the far end of the EDM spectrum compared to Big Gigantic (a past Mountain Jam favorite).  

Beck @ Mountain Jam (June 4, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Actually, I thought Beck sucked.  Take a listen for yourself here.


Even the vibe inside the lodge at the bar was dampened by bright lights and an amateur music stage.


So when co-founder Gary Chetkof took the mic after a KILLER LONDON SOULS SET ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON (watch here)… and announced that the Mountain was being evacuated due to bad weather and that the party was over early… everyone need to leave.  There would be no Brandi Carlie, no Third World and no Avett Brothers.

I kinda felt like I was at Altamont and this was the end of an era.  


I hope that I am wrong.


Mountain Jam has been awesome for many years for NYC area music fans.

The London Souls @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble This was the last set of the festival!

Enough whining from me, because there was plenty of great music.

The Friday line-up was by far the best of the four days….


After a whirlwind week that included SNL and Jimmy Kimmel appearances, Courtney Barnett took the stage at 4:00 and was most impressive.  After a slow start (she actually looked a little nervous and I think broke a string), the Australian Chrissy Hynde-lookalike increasingly generated momentum and gave one hell of a performance.



Here is a link to her cover of “New Speedway Boogie”.


Jeff Tweedy from Wilco also seemed to really dig Barnett’s set too.  I caught him watching intently across the other side of the stage area, squatting behind an amplifier.

Courtney Barnett @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Jason Isbell hit the stage at 6:00 and was very strong. He was a perfect twilight act.


His new sober, in-shape, man in black thing is going very well.  That boy can sing, write and play the gee-tar.  Although his songs are a little dark for me (see “Elephant”) but his songs writing a melodies are a treat even when I feel sunny.


He and the band turned the intensity up a few notches with his mad jam on “Never Gonna Change” (watch here).

Jason Isbell @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Keeping with Friday’s performances, after Isbell, Chris Robinson Brotherhood took the small crooked B-stage stage and was a let down, but provided a great opportunity to fuel up before the Wilco and Government Mule performances later that night.

Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Wilco’s set was my favorite performance of this year’s festival (see short clip here).


The band was upbeat and well connected with the crowd. I love when the crowd sings along with the line, “His goal in life was to be an echo.”


By the way, does Jeff Tweedy live in that white hat? He wears it every time I see him.


As typical, Nels Cline killed it on the “Handshake Drugs” and “Impossible Germany” solos.


It was a nice treat when ex-Drive By Truckers’ Jason Isbell joined Wilco on stage for a rousing “California Stars”.

Wilco @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Saturday started strong with a nice set from The Record Company at noon.


At 2:00, one of Mountain Jam’s most frequent and popular acts, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds fired up the crowd with a high-intensity set that brought the entire Mountain to its feet.


Lead dog, Arleigh Kincheloe, is such a dynamic front-person and continues to impress with her stage presence.

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds @ Mountain Jam (June 4, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

I was lucky enough to be in a good position to enjoy the show!


Soon after Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats served a similar horn-leaden feet stopping performance.  Their cover of The Band’s “The Shape I’m In” was quite fun (watch here).


Unfortunetly (and yes, I have used that word a few times already), Gary Clark Jr. did not show up for his 6:00 performance due to a family emergency.  


That sucked. Many at the festival were looking forward to seeing him again.


As a good host does, Warren improvised and played a solo acoustic set.  It was nice, but crazy mellow.

Warren Haynes @ Mountain Jam (June 4, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Last on my list of notable performances was Scott Sharrad on the small indoor lodge stage.  Shared plays guitar in the Greg Allman Band.  It was my first time seeing him and was quite a treat.

Scott Sharrard @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Below are some additional photos from the weekend.


Let’s hope that next year brings the right changes.


As always, in case Warren and his peeps are reading this… some suggestions for 2017 that haven’t been at Mountain Jam in more than a few years include:


The Hold Steady
Drive-By Truckers
Doyle Bramhall
David Byrne
WOLF!
Trixie Whitley
The Wood Brothers


FLAP YOUR WINGS RANCHELEROS…

Jane Lee Hooker @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble

Train @ Mountain Jam (June 2, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble Train did a nice job playing Led Zeppelin covers to open the show Thursday night. Their version of “Ramble On” was particularly good. Having Warren Haynes join on “Rock and Roll” was super cool too.

Love Canon @ Mountain Jam (June 3, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble Their bluegrass cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” was unique and fun.

Con Brio @ Mountain Jam (June 5, 2016) Photo: Thunderbird Ranch Ramble