Mountain Jam | 5.30 – 06.01 | NY

Words by: Brian Bavosa | Images by: Adam McCullough

Mountain Jam :: 05.30.08 – 06.01.08 :: Hunter Mountain, NY

Radio Woodstock and Warren Haynes hosted the Fourth Annual Mountain Jam. Held at the picturesque Hunter Mountain in the Catskills of upstate New York, the weekend promised the usual attractions to help appease festivalgoers and undoubtedly a spot of rain. As the President of Radio Woodstock and founder of Mountain Jam, Gary Chetkof, proudly proclaimed, “It’s all about the music.” It’s tough to argue against, as the three days saw an ideal set-up with two-stages next to one another, allowing fans to post up on the mountainside like Shaquille O’Neal on the block, with no overlapping sets.

This year’s lineup featured the regular staples such as Haynes’ Gov’t Mule – who have headlined two nights each year – as well as three-peat offenders Michael Franti & Spearhead and Medeski Martin & Wood, who this year were joined by one of the “big three” jazz guitarists, John Scofield.

Also new to this year’s festivities was The Awareness Village, which donated a portion of each ticket sale to HeadCount‘s “Cents for Sense” campaign. There were fireworks, a bonafide Ferris wheel (medium in stature, but still big enough to scare some away) and “Late Night Under the Stars,” which featured the debut of music into the wee hours, outside on the mountain. And, alas, there was a mix of rain sprinkled in at times on Saturday, another unavoidable tradition adding to this festivals M.O.

Friday

Easing into the weekend, the festival kicked off at noon with Dark Meat, Phonograph and New Jersey jammers Buzz Universe for the earliest of arrivals. The weather Friday was beautiful from the get, and these bands helped set the mood of an early summer day in the Northeast. The first big blast of the weekend that caught my attention was Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. Kicking out reggae and dub sounds, these guy impressed and lived up to their moniker.

However, strategically planned, the real heavy-hitters hit the stage later that afternoon, just as the workweek was winding down elsewhere. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals belted out their patented bluesy-soul, while Potter herself dazzled half of the crowd with her cute, charming appearance, while wowing the other half with her pipes that are hard to believe come from her small Vermont frame. Hot on her heels was the dirty Dumpstaphunk, led by New Orleans’ own, Ivan Neville. This served as the cue for those arriving from out of town to get out of their work clothes, pour themselves a drink and shake their asses as the sun began to set. An appearance by Potter during this set marked the first of countless collaborations throughout the weekend.

In many eyes, the heirs apparent to the jam scene’s throne, Umphrey’s McGee, rocked, rattled and rolled their way through a few massive sandwiches, including “Hurt Bird Bath” and “All In Time.” Headliners Gov’t Mule took the stage around 10 p.m. for their first of four sets, and Haynes played the part of gracious host to perfection. Mule welcomed U.M.’s Brendan Bayliss for an absolutely incredible and moving version of the Grateful Dead‘s “Sugaree.” Potter, fellow Nocturnal guitarist Scott Tournet and Galactic‘s Rich Vogel joined the Mule for a first set closing rendition of Led Zeppelin‘s “Whole Lotta Love.” After a quick break, the other maestro from Umphrey’s, Jake Cinninger, helped kick off set two with some beautiful, restrained guitar – a nice contrast to his normally blazing fretwork – on a choice cover of “Dear Prudence.” Throw in one more guest spot for good measure featuring Neville and Galactic sax player Ben Ellman on an extremely lively “Spanish Moon” and you have a good idea of what this rather laidback weekend was all about.

The first ever “Under the Stars” appearance was by Galactic. I’m glad Mars is hundreds of millions of miles away because Stanton Moore and company tried their damnedest to shake the ice from its surface with some of the band’s funkiest numbers. Besides Galactic, Mountain Jam also welcomed up-and-comers Lotus and Pnuma Trio as their late night entertainment, a true sign that this fest is in touch with its fan base. Friday saw Lotus tear through a mix of electronic, dance-fueled compositions in the Lodge, leaving many bodies covered in sweat as they returned to their on-site tents, condos and hotel rooms – all viable options for concertgoers.

Saturday

Saturday saw the funkstress herself, a former Riker’s Island prison guard and all-around tough cookie, Sharon Jones and her Dap-Kings provide some early afternoon soul-cleansing and lessons in love and life. Immediately following Jones was one of the festival’s best sets, turned in by the smoky-voiced JJ Grey & MOFRO. Grey’s performance reeked of his life in a “Country Ghetto,” much as Jones’ reflected her hard road to finally gain the stage, which she rightfully deserves after years of struggle.

With perfect weather on Friday, you knew something had to give eventually. After a downpour earlier in the day, it just so happened the worst rain came during Ray LaMontagne‘s set. As if he’d summoned the tears of a god above with his heart wrenching, borderline depressing lyrics and delivery, it came down in buckets, causing a delay in the action. Much like the one-two punch of Jones and Grey, LaMontagne was flanked by another young up-and-comer, Jackie Greene. Best known for his recent stint with Phil Lesh & Friends, Greene also turned in a superb performance, showcasing his own material and reminding the crowd that he is his own artist.

As the clouds parted and the sun returned, the stage was set for the politically charged Michael Franti & Spearhead to boil things up, complete with sprinkles of patented “How You Feeling’s?” The backdrop was a gigantic bulls-eye, littered with bullet holes, but fronted by a giant hand flashing the peace sign, something that in this day and age spoke volumes even before the first notes rang out. Franti is a concert staple and someone I see often enough over my summer travels, but Spearhead is a band I rarely listen to otherwise. However, time and time again he manages to stir my soul, put a smile on my face and get me thinking about the world around me, no matter how much some may complain about his schtick getting old. Perfect timing, perfect delivery, a sit-in by Haynes and a whole lot of jumping around seemed to do wonders for the vibe on the mountainside.

Returning to the singer-songwriter format that dominated the majority of Saturday afternoon, Brooklyn’s Citizen Cope also welcomed Haynes to the stage, while showcasing his slow, yet extremely powerful skills and honest, heartfelt vocals.

The Mule picked up where they left off the night before, welcoming seemingly everyone to the stage. An extremely poignant “To Love Somebody” featured LaMontagne, while a ripping version of “After Midnight” welcomed Cope keyboardist John Ginty. The Mule concluded their run at this year’s Mountain Jam with an encore that included “32/20 Blues” and a very hot “Other One” jam, complete with “Gimme Shelter” teases, possibly a nod to the nearby lodges where the late night shows took place and a nice, warm bar welcomed many patrons during the earlier rains.

A magnificent display of fireworks up the mountain rained down after the set, while the Lodge was treated to the thumping breakbeats of Tennessee-turned-Colorado residents The Pnuma Trio. Not only has their mailing address changed but so has the swagger and attitude these late night heroes exude live. Meanwhile, out under the stars on the West Stage, Dark Star Orchestra played the Grateful Dead to perfection, offering standout versions of “Feel Like A Stranger,” “Not Fade Away” and “Dancing in the Streets.”

Sunday

The final day saw local act The Felice Brothers, as well as indie-oriented Dr. Dog early on. The latter welcomed Elvis Perkins‘ horns section to the stage. However, what I feel were the two strongest performances of this year’s festival happened a bit later on.

Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood ignited the crowd with some extremely up-beat jazz-funk. Possibly best known for their collaboration on 1998’s A-Go-Go, this quartet are truly musician’s musicians. Scofield brought the house down this year after adding his hand to Phil & Friends’ closing sets last year, which were lauded by fans as some of the finest in Mountain Jam history.

Following one legend, we had yet another. Hailing from nearby Woodstock, legendary drummer of The Band, Levon Helm brought his “Ramble on the Road,” much to the delight of everyone. Helm’s “Midnight Rambles,” which take place in his home barn/studio, started as a way for him to raise money for his medical bills. Since their inception a few years back, the little secret has gotten out, and they repeatedly sell out months in advance. Sunday’s set represented everything good about this area, this festival and this man’s unprecedented legacy. With a band that consisted of his daughter Amy, Larry Campbell (Phil Lesh & Friends) and his wife Teresa Williams, as well as Little Sammy Davis, Jr., one could have easily overlooked the music. Okay, maybe not. It was a success from the triumphant anthem of “Ophelia” to the funky “Deep Elem Blues” to Haynes’ companionship on the encore of “I Shall Be Released” and “The Weight.”

Helms’ set was another reminder that Mountain Jam is a wonderful gathering, allowing many to “take a load off” and escape the troubles of ordinary life for a while, and that was before the final headliner hit the stage. Bob Weir & RatDog brought things full circle (the weekend’s opener was RatBoy) with their Mountain Jam debut. RatDog’s first set seemed to drag a little, but did offer a sit-in from Helm on “She Belongs To Me” and Haynes on “Loser,” where Weir thanked Haynes for throwing this party. The second set was much stronger, offering the complete “Terrapin” suite and a raucous “Sugar Magnolia,” capping off a superb weekend.

Over the past four years, Mountain Jam has grown in size and stature, while managing to remain in a prime New York location. It offers a taste of the outdoors and the indoors, while stockpiling a lineup that continually manages to blow the doors off, whether you are a old-time Woodstock resident or a newbie experiencing the wonderful feeling of a music festival in the summer for the very first time.

Grace Potter with Dumpstaphunk

Grace Potter with Dumpstaphunk

Ian Neville & Tony Hall – Dumpstaphunk

Buzz Universe

Phonograph

Jim Wieder

Ryan Stasik – Umphrey’s McGee

Brendan Bayliss – Umphrey’s McGee

Warren Haynes – Gov’t Mule

Warren Haynes – Gov’t Mule

Warren Haynes – Gov’t Mule

Ben Ellman – Galactic

Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned

JJ Grey & MOFRO

JJ Grey & MOFRO

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

David Rogers-Berry – O’Death

Jackie Greene

Ingrid Michaelson

Ray LaMontagne

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Warren Haynes with Michael Franti & Spearhead

Citizen Cope

Dark Star Orchestra

Warren Haynes

Patterson Hood – Drive-By Truckers

Brad Morgan & Shonna Tucker – Drive-By Truckers

Dr. Dog

The Felice Brothers

The Felice Brothers

Larry McCray

Levon Helm

Little Sammy Davis Jr. – Levon Helm

Warren Haynes sitting in with Levon Helm

John Scofield & Billy Martin

Warren Haynes & John Scofield – MSMW

Warren Haynes & John Scofield – MSMW

Bob Weir – RatDog

Bob Weir – RatDog

Warren Haynes

Check out the JamBaseTV interview with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals here, and check out the Warren Haynes interview here…

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