~ DUMPSTAPHUNK ~

~ Sharon Jones ~

gets down on the mountain!

Medeski Scofield
Martin and Wood

~ Ray LaMontagne ~

Blog Video Clip ~ "How Come"

Sharon Jones
& the Dap Kings

~ Video Clip from the Mtn. Jam Stage ~

Review !

Bob Weir, Levon Helm, Warren Haynes Light a Fire at Three Day “Mountain Jam”

6/2/08, 5:25 pm EST

Framed by a chair lift overhead and Ferris wheel perched on the side of a mountain that rose 1,600 feet, former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir launched his headlining slot on the closing night of Mountain Jam in a most auspicious way.

With 10,000 watching, he flubbed the opening line to a song he has performed hundreds of times over 30 years.

Then he walked over to Mark Karan, guitarist in his band, RatDog. Karan spoke into Weir’s ear — likely the first line to “Help on the Way” — and the evening got under way.

The false start only fueled the frenzy that had been build

ing over the three days that Mountain Jam was held at Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl in upstate New York. 2008 marked year number four for Mountain Jam, staged this past weekend by Woodstock-based WDST-FM and Warren Haynes, guitarist for Gov’t Mule and the Allman Brothers Band.

Weir and RatDog delivered about three hours of music that featured a caustic cover of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and inspired audience sing-alongs on “Friend of the Devil” and “Ripple.” But the high point of RatDog’s set and the entire

weekend came when Levon Helm sat in with RatDog on Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me.”

About 24 hours earlier, Helm held one of the now-famous “Midnight Ramble” house concerts at his recording studio in nearby Woodstock, for a sold-out audience that included Mountain Jam performer Jackie Greene.

The Levon Helm Band played right before RatDog at Mo

untain Jam and brought fans to their feet with Band nuggets like “Ophelia,” “Rag Mama Rag” “The Shape I’m In” and “The Weight.” Helm’s new material, from his Grammy-winning 2007 release Dirt Farmer, was greeted as enthusiastically as the classic catalog.

Helm welcomed Haynes for the final two songs of his set, and the Gov’t Mule guitarist added his vocal growl to “I Shall Be Released.”

In addition to co-staging the event, Haynes fronted Gov’t Mule’s headlining sets on Friday and Saturday nights. He also sat in with Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, slicing up the six strings while dueling with former Miles Davis sideman John Scofield.

Haynes also sat in with RatDog on the Dead’s “Loser,” giving fans a taste of what might be in store for a Ratdog/Gov’t Mule West Coast tour that starts J

une 20. But on their own, Gov’t Mule played long and they played hard. Mule keyboardist Danny Louis showed off his chops during the Mule’s homage to Jerry Garcia, “Patchwork Quilt.”

Friday night covers of the Beatles‘ “She Said, She Said,” “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Dear Prudence” provided the Mule with vehicles for explosive experimentation. They came back Saturday with “Helter Skelter” as their opener.

Moments after leaving the stage Sunday night, Weir, while chatting with WDST owner Gary Chetkof, quite possibly spoke for all 10,000 assembled.

“I had fun,” Weir said.

[John W. Barry is the music writer for the Poughkeepsie Journal]

~ The Weekend in Pictures ~

Here are 500 photos from our roving festival photographer Peggy Fusco.

~ ENJOY ~

~ Jackie Green ~

Just Cope Baby! ~ Citizen Cope!

One of the very best sets of the entire weekend!

Mule on the Mountain ~ Night One!

Warren, Matt, Danny & Andy brought it hard on Friday night. Mule capped an amazing opening day at Mountain Jam with two blistering sets of music. The first set featured Umphrey's McGee axe man, Brenden Bayless on the Jerry Garcia Classic "Sugaree". They also broke out two Led Zepplin covers that scorched. On "Whole Lotta Love" Garce Potter and Scott Tournet from the Nocturnals and Rich Vogel of Galactic joined in on the fun.

The second set opened with Umphrey's Jake Cinninger trading licks with Warren on "Dear Prudence." The Ivan Neville and Ben Ellman (Galactic) helped out on the Little Feat cover of "Spanish Moon." Haynes and the boys capped a great show off with a rousing "30 Day's in the Hole!"

~ Enjoy the Slide Show ~

Set 1
Hammer & Nails
Wandering Child
Don't Step On The Grass Sam
Since I've Been Loving You
She Said, She Said->
Tomorrow Never Knows
Banks Of The Deep End
Patchwork Quilt
Sugaree w/ Brendan Bayliss
*Whole Lotta Love
*w/ Grace Potter, Scott Tournet, Rich Vogel

Set 2
Dear Prudence with Jake Cinninger
Rocking Horse
Spanish Moon with Ivan Neville & Ben Ellman
Brighter Days->
Drums
Lola Leave Your Light On
About To Rage
Mule Third Stone From The Sun Tease

Encore:
Thirty Days In The Hole

Dancin' and Signin'

What a great moment this was...

Michael Franti had this wonderful young lady pulled from the crowd. She danced wonderfully on stage while singing the lyrics sign language style. It was just one of the many awesome moments in this moving set!

~ Drive-By Truckers ~ Kick Ass! ~

~ DBT ~
Set~List

the living bubba

a ghost to most
the man i shot
3 dimes down
2 daughters
Puttin' People On The Moon
Ronnie & Neil
Home Field Advantage
Marry Me
Man I Shot
Checkout Time In Vegas
Tales Facing Up
Guitar Man Upstairs
Let There Be Rock
Lookout Mountain