LEVON HELM & FRIENDS: REVIEW, PICTURES, & SET LIST

Before we begin, here's the set list....

Written by Evan Levy, Photos by Peggy Fusco, Ed McCarthy, & James Orr

Celebrating a legend like Levon Helm is not an easy task. How do you pay proper tribute to a man who sings songs that you know by heart, and continues to rock out past his 70th birthday? Take his best work, throw in some seriously talented guest musicians, and you've got the formula for an amazing experience. And that's really what it was, a moment in rock and roll history that can only be witnessed huddled amongst your friends at a magical place like Mountain Jam.

We heard old country favorites like "Long Black Veil" sung sweetly by Teresa Williams. We sang along to "Up On Cripple Creek" performed by Sam Bush, and we were blown away by Larry Campbell's ability to take the organ solo in "Chest Fever" and turn it into a hot guitar solo that made Jackie Greene visibly jealous. There were times when everyone jamming together raised the bar for certain songs letting their combined energy flow and really winding it up again and again keeping the crowd entranced throughout their entire set.

With guests like Donald Fagen, Warren Haynes, Jackie Greene, Alison Krauss, Alison Moorer and more - there was always some new way to experience the life and the music of Levon Helm. It was a fitting tribute to the man who continues to bring us so much joy. Happy Birthday Levon!

Check out Levon's birthday cake!

Thanks to everyone for making Mountain Jam VI such an amazing experience - see you next year!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS

Here's another artist that definitely deserves some time in the Artist Spotlight as we get closer to Mountain Jam this year - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. I was first exposed to their music when she put out her "Nothing But the Water" album in 2006. The title track nearly knocked me off my seat the first time I heard it and has become a fan favorite at every show with the crowd still singing the chorus as they leave the stage.
Their music is mostly a healthy mixture of Southern blues, gospel, and swamp rock which blends together to make a very powerful sound. Now, on the verge of releasing their third album which is self-titled, their music has risen to new heights - especially with their soulful new single "Tiny Light". Plus, there also has been some lineup changes since their last album, with bassist Catherine Popper and rhythm guitarist Benny Yurco joining the band. The new album won't be out until after the festival is over as it is set to be released on June 8th - so your only chance to hear the new songs will be at Mountain Jam VI. I've seen Grace Potter & The Nocturnals several times over the last few years and I can safely say that they put on a great live show. If you need to hear more from them to be convinced of their greatness, the band has been slowly releasing a series of videos on YouTube featuring acoustic versions of songs from the album - here's the link to hear/see all those videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/gracepotterofficial

Keep checking back every Monday for more Artist Spotlights and every Friday for new information about the festival.

WELCOME TO THE THIRD ANNUAL MOUNTAIN JAM FESTIVAL BLOG

Hi all. Mountain Jam is just about 2 weeks away and to continue to build the anticipation for what is sure to be the one of the best and most memorable weekends of the year, we're launching this blog which will offer real time updates leading up until and all during The Mountain Jam. We plan on offering exclusive access from on-stage, backstage and all through the concert field and campgrounds. We will be adding pictures, setlists and reviews of all the bands continuously through the weekend.

As a preview, below are some pictures taken during this past Tuesday's site vist where the promoters, production people, security, Hunter Mountain people and everyone involved in creating this event met and went through every detail from where exactly the stages are going, to the new and improved layout of the vending village, and every little detail in between.

View from the lodge. The mainstage will be go at base of the mountain and face up hill.


The vendor area will snake along here. And the second stage, which will be bigger and have better sound and lights, will be moved up the mountain.


We'll be updating this blog frequently over the the next 2 weeks with any news and new information that may make your trip up and stay while you are on the mountain the best one possible.

See you soon. Only 15 more days til the fun begins.