Jam Bands

[Eaglediveofsex]

CHOOOOOOSE. I love Grateful Dead and most of the bands here, but I must side with Phish.

[GetRoached]

As much of an Umphreak and Bisco Kid I am, I have to say phish, without them, no tDB, since they started as a Phish cover band, and Um takes soo much influence from them.

[a21schizoidman]

none of the above:
Rare Earth


check out the full version of Get Ready: (3 parts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4fnUp0EY9M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCl6LFLZs6Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hKtWmGVUUI&feature=related

[OldFogey]

none of the above:
Rare Earth

** bangs head against brick wall **

Dead at their peak were definitely tops. I dig Phish, but nothing will top for China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider as a live jam.

New Kings -- Martin, Medeski and Wood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUZL_wmsXLI

[thedoorsdk]

The Allman Brothers Band, without a doubt.
I absolutely loathe the Grateful Dead.

[culturedog]

The only jam band I enjoy is Clutch, who obliquely fit into the category. The Grateful Dead make me want to eat human flesh.

[WhiffleBallTony]

The only jam band I enjoy is Clutch, who obliquely fit into the category. The Grateful Dead make me want to eat human flesh.

Clutch? A jam band? Huh?

Anyway, does anyone here like U-Melt?

[defenestrater]

I voted for Phish, but it was a close call between them and Widespread Panic.

[GetRoached]

I like U-Melt. Im a HUGE follower of the jam scene, can't ever beat summer festival season. For some of you who have never heard, keep an ear out for some of the smaller up and coming bands such as
Groovatron
Brothers Past
"The Soup"-er Happy Fun American Good Time Jam Band
The New Deal
The Fuzz
Moving Matter

not sure if the new deal is small, but haven't met many people who know of them.

[WhiffleBallTony]

I like U-Melt. Im a HUGE follower of the jam scene, can't ever beat summer festival season. For some of you who have never heard, keep an ear out for some of the smaller up and coming bands such as
Groovatron
Brothers Past
"The Soup"-er Happy Fun American Good Time Jam Band
The New Deal
The Fuzz
Moving Matter

not sure if the new deal is small, but haven't met many people who know of them.
Where do you live? I'm not huge into jam, but here in Vermont, I get a lot of exposure. Also, if you like the Dead, have you heard of Dark Star Orchestra?

[GetRoached]

I have heard of them, very cool, I live in the Chicago area.

[WhiffleBallTony]

I have heard of them, very cool, I live in the Chicago area.
Nice. I've never been to Chicago. You might like it in Vermont if you love jam music.

The reason I ask about Dark Star is because my uncle, Rob Eaton, is the rhythm guitarist in the band. His son, my cousin, also has a band that plays around Vermont named Greyspoke. You should check them out.

[GetRoached]

Cool man, Ill have to check them out. I have seen Dark Star at a fest somewhere along my travels. Me, I Lovermont..old phish thing... Chicago's cool, no where near NYC, but it is a bit more artsy.

[Jordashebasics]

While there is some good work in the Dead's catalog, the bigger problem is a lack of technical variation. I like the Zappa-esque attention to musical creative work that went into Phish's work.

A lot of other groups are good, but I feel like they tend to be a little more aimless than Phish was.

Trey's solo work is roughly on the same level as a lot of the modern other jam bands.

[Cubecubed]

i went with Grateful dead.

----------------
Now playing: Coheed and Cambria - The Willing Well IV: The Final Cut (http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/coheed+and+cambria/track/the+willing+well+iv%3a+the+final+cut)
via FoxyTunes (http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/)

[GetRoached]

I really enjoy the precision of Um, but I feel they are more on the prog side than jam, since very little improv occurs outside of "Jimmy Stewarts"

[OldFogey]

While there is some good work in the Dead's catalog, the bigger problem is a lack of technical variation. I like the Zappa-esque attention to musical creative work that went into Phish's work.

A lot of other groups are good, but I feel like they tend to be a little more aimless than Phish was.

Trey's solo work is roughly on the same level as a lot of the modern other jam bands.

Umm -- you need to check out more of the Dead's catalog. They did all the same experimentation with modes, etc. Phish does. Listen to the experimentalism of Anthem of the Sun. Then the modes on Blues for Allah. There is no lack of technical variation in the Dead's catalog.

[Mister_Rogers69]

I voted phish, greatful dead only sound good if your stoned.

they have one good song, casey jones, the rest of their music is dull and just not very good imo.

and yes, i have listened to a good amount of their stuff before, my cousin listens to that crap.

[a21schizoidman]

** bangs head against brick wall **

Dead at their peak were definitely tops.


sorry Fogey, the Dead are #2 in my opinion, Rare Earth with songs like Get Ready and Ma are fantastic. (Yes I own Rare Earth in Concert which has a nice jam of I Know I'm Losing You.

[OldFogey]

sorry Fogey, the Dead are #2 in my opinion, Rare Earth with songs like Get Ready and Ma are fantastic. (Yes I own Rare Earth in Concert which has a nice jam of I Know I'm Losing You.

I don't even know where to start, Schiz. I could never get into Get Ready because the Temptations did it so much better in 3 minutes.

I'm not a die hard Dead fan (is that a pun?) -- I tend to concentrate on the years from about '67 -'74 or '75, especially '70-'73. The Dead from that era not only did great jams, they wrote absolutely awesome tunes.

Some of the Dead's lesser known stuff is their best --

This for example is an awesome jam. The song is called "The Eleven." It's written in 11/8.

Part one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1YmFKRr6rU&fmt=18

Part Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ZvF2LqjM8&fmt=18

I much prefer Jerry's tone from this era.

[a21schizoidman]

I don't even know where to start, Schiz. I could never get into Get Ready because the Temptations did it so much better in 3 minutes.

I'm not a die hard Dead fan (is that a pun?) -- I tend to concentrate on the years from about '67 -'74 or '75, especially '70-'73. The Dead from that era not only did great jams, they wrote absolutely awesome tunes.

Some of the Dead's lesser known stuff is their best --

This for example is an awesome jam. The song is called "The Eleven." It's written in 11/8.

Part one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1YmFKRr6rU&fmt=18

Part Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ZvF2LqjM8&fmt=18

I much prefer Jerry's tone from this era.

to each his own Fogey, you know I respect your opinions man

[OldFogey]

to each his own Fogey, you know I respect your opinions man

Likewise :D

[jr174200]

I voted phish, greatful dead only sound good if your stoned.

they have one good song, casey jones, the rest of their music is dull and just not very good imo.

and yes, i have listened to a good amount of their stuff before, my cousin listens to that crap.

As a diehard Phish fan, opinions like this confound me. The Dead only have one good song (Casey Jones) and can only be appreciated high? Huh?

To each his own I guess, but you should seriously consider giving the Dead a closer look.

To make the transition easier start with Phish's cover of Terrapin Station (8/9/98) and Phil and Friends with Trey and Page (a GREAT run of shows, you can listen to 4/16/99 at http://www.archive.org/details/1999-04-16.paf.sbd.unknown.10169.sbeok.flacf).

[Mister_Rogers69]

I understand why you would be confused, but for some reason I just dont like the grateful dead.

[OldFogey]

I understand why you would be confused, but for some reason I just dont like the grateful dead.

For people who didn't get to see the Dead live, especially during their prime, I can understand. It was only because I had seen them live lots before I actually started getting into the records that I could dig the records. The Dead definitely sucked in the studio. Their stuff just sounded lifeless. And then they got too laid back, so even their live performances lost the energy of the earlier stuff.

If you want some recommendations of stuff you may have missed that might sway your mind, I'm glad to share. But if you think you've heard enough and just don't care to hear any more that's cool, too. :cool:

But in general if you don't like something that's fine -- doesn't mean it's crap.

[a21schizoidman]

For people who didn't get to see the Dead live, especially during their prime, I can understand. It was only because I had seen them live lots before I actually started getting into the records that I could dig the records. The Dead definitely sucked in the studio. Their stuff just sounded lifeless. And then they got too laid back, so even their live performances lost the energy of the earlier stuff.

If you want some recommendations of stuff you may have missed that might sway your mind, I'm glad to share. But if you think you've heard enough and just don't care to hear any more that's cool, too. :cool:

But in general if you don't like something that's fine -- doesn't mean it's crap.

i recently (havent had a chance to listen yet, tho its been months) found a copy of Live 72 on vinyl, how would u rate it?

[Eaglediveofsex]

Amazing, one of my favourite live albums of theirs.

[GetRoached]

for dead, many of their live aud tapes can be found here....www.archive.org

[TransdermalCelebration]

Fruit preserves can't play musical instruments... Or can they?

I'll have to perform some experiments.

[OldFogey]

i recently (havent had a chance to listen yet, tho its been months) found a copy of Live 72 on vinyl, how would u rate it?

That's the Europe gig, right? Three albums?

Mixed bag -- Down beat gave it a 5/2 at the time, meaning the best parts are a 5 out of 5 and the others are a 2. Pretty good take in my mind. But the China Cat/I Know You Rider is magic.

For Live Dead albums I rate em:


Skull and Roses (unofficial title -- named after graphic on album cover)
Live Dead
Europe '72
the rest..


I've never gotten into the Dick's Picks collections, just because there are so many. But Dick's Picks vol. 4 has a reputation for being just about the best. I might have to check that one out.

[orange_black]

wha...

who... where's...

no Dave Matthews Band?

nuh uh... i refuse to partake of the voting.

:)

[GetRoached]

Dave Matthews is the satanic spawn of the jam band scene....the red-headed step child, one who took the jam scene...and ruined it.

[OldFogey]

wha...

who... where's...

no Dave Matthews Band?

nuh uh... i refuse to partake of the voting.

:)

DMB actually don't like the jam band label themselves from what I understand. But they do have some things in common.

[Mister_Rogers69]

For people who didn't get to see the Dead live, especially during their prime, I can understand. It was only because I had seen them live lots before I actually started getting into the records that I could dig the records. The Dead definitely sucked in the studio. Their stuff just sounded lifeless. And then they got too laid back, so even their live performances lost the energy of the earlier stuff.

If you want some recommendations of stuff you may have missed that might sway your mind, I'm glad to share. But if you think you've heard enough and just don't care to hear any more that's cool, too. :cool:

But in general if you don't like something that's fine -- doesn't mean it's crap.

give me a link to something that might change my mind

[OldFogey]

give me a link to something that might change my mind

Well I don't know if any of these will change your mind -- and if they don't that's fine.

A great jam on That's It For the Other One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMlqHgbwO80&fmt=18

One More Saturday Night. From a TV broadcast in 1972.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIRnwA9Qu0g&fmt=18

Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion, one of my favorite Dead tunes, from 1967
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTHRnzr17Zg&fmt=18

Saint Stephen. From a TV broadcast in 1969 so quality not the greatest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYmIu_njso4&fmt=18

Jack Straw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHRRjt2lU_4&fmt=18

[bdrizzle14]

umphrey's is definitely my favorite, but they are all good. here's to hoping this thread actually gets some of these bands in the game!

[OldFogey]

Couldn't pass this one up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oOItcEsq-E&fmt=18

Takes a couple of minutes of fooling around before the rocking starts. And it rocks!!

[bdrizzle14]

I really enjoy the precision of Um, but I feel they are more on the prog side than jam, since very little improv occurs outside of "Jimmy Stewarts"

wrong! most of their show is improv, if seen them play the same songs 4 or 5 times and every time it's different. they also have a lot of signals that they use on stage with each other if you watch them closely enough. but i'll agree that that could go into either the prog scene or the jam scene.

[OldFogey]

I also think Blues Traveler should have been in the poll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO2OFEa6aHw&fmt=18

[GetRoached]

wrong! most of their show is improv, if seen them play the same songs 4 or 5 times and every time it's different. they also have a lot of signals that they use on stage with each other if you watch them closely enough. but i'll agree that that could go into either the prog scene or the jam scene.
Well, considering Ive been following them since 2002, many of their songs have smaller bits of improv thrown into the many arranged measures. I have SBD for every UM show from 06 til now, and many from years past, and frankly, a lot of their jams are similar to each other, to the point where if I hear an UMlive track, Im unable to tell which show it is from, which I am able to do with many other bands whose show is truly based of improv, such as The Disco Biscuits and Phish.

[bdrizzle14]

Well, considering Ive been following them since 2002, many of their songs have smaller bits of improv thrown into the many arranged measures. I have SBD for every UM show from 06 til now, and many from years past, and frankly, a lot of their jams are similar to each other, to the point where if I hear an UMlive track, Im unable to tell which show it is from, which I am able to do with many other bands whose show is truly based of improv, such as The Disco Biscuits and Phish.

well if you have every soundboard send me some copies(seriously!). but i can kinda relate to what you're saying, although i feel the biscuits are kinda the same way as umphreys though. phish i have yet to see live so i can't say (here's hoping i get tickets to the hampton show).

p.s. i would really love some old umphrey's music that is hard to come by if you have anything!

[GetRoached]

if you give me your email, and a list of shows from phantasy tour, id be happy to oblige.

[a21schizoidman]

I also think Blues Traveler should have been in the poll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO2OFEa6aHw&fmt=18

got to see them live last summer for free, awesome, awesome, awesome show


their guitarist really knows how to play too!


another band, that I have seen jam very well:

War, but they aren't labeled as a jam band, but live, they JAM

[OldFogey]

got to see them live last summer for free, awesome, awesome, awesome show


their guitarist really knows how to play too!


another band, that I have seen jam very well:

War, but they aren't labeled as a jam band, but live, they JAM

Before there was War, Eric Burden had a lineup of the Animals that was very similar, and featured a young guitar player named Andy Somers. He later changed the spelling to Summers. You may recall him in a little three piece outfit whose name escapes me at the moment :rolleyes:

Anyway -- saw them at a festival in around '69. They could cook as well. Another band on that lineup was the Byrds with Gram Parsons and Clarence White. That band could hold its own with any for jamming. Iron Butterfly was on that lineup, and they tried to stretch out but just didn't have the chops to pull it off. a 20 minute Inagaddadavida makes megottagonow.

And -- Andy belongs in the discussion of underrated guitarists. Along with the lead in Squeeze, Glenn Tillbrook. And Marshall Crenshaw.

[onduvalst]

Wait! Where's Rusted Root or Goverment Mule? Hmmm I guess I'll go with String Cheese, cause I really only care for a handful of dead songs. I would like to see scarlet begonias.

[a21schizoidman]

Before there was War, Eric Burden had a lineup of the Animals that was very similar, and featured a young guitar player named Andy Somers. He later changed the spelling to Summers. You may recall him in a little three piece outfit whose name escapes me at the moment :rolleyes:

Anyway -- saw them at a festival in around '69. They could cook as well. Another band on that lineup was the Byrds with Gram Parsons and Clarence White. That band could hold its own with any for jamming. Iron Butterfly was on that lineup, and they tried to stretch out but just didn't have the chops to pull it off. a 20 minute Inagaddadavida makes megottagonow.

And -- Andy belongs in the discussion of underrated guitarists. Along with the lead in Squeeze, Glenn Tillbrook. And Marshall Crenshaw.

yeah, i remember hearing bout Andy Summers in the Animals

have you heard his album with Fripp? I have it, its pretty good

cool you got to see them in their prime, my dad didnt see them til the Animals Ark tour...

[bdrizzle14]

if you give me your email, and a list of shows from phantasy tour, id be happy to oblige.

check your profile's comments info there! thanks!

[Eaglediveofsex]

Wait! Where's Rusted Root or Goverment Mule? Hmmm I guess I'll go with String Cheese, cause I really only care for a handful of dead songs. I would like to see scarlet begonias.

I could only fit ten, but Tea Leaf Green, Rusted Roots, Dave Matthews Band were considered, I do not remember why I did not include them. And actually by many War IS considered a jam band, because jam is more classified by live shows than studio stuff, or rather, it IS.

[OldFogey]

Well I don't know if any of these will change your mind -- and if they don't that's fine.

A great jam on That's It For the Other One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMlqHgbwO80&fmt=18

One More Saturday Night. From a TV broadcast in 1972.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIRnwA9Qu0g&fmt=18

Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion, one of my favorite Dead tunes, from 1967
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTHRnzr17Zg&fmt=18

Saint Stephen. From a TV broadcast in 1969 so quality not the greatest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYmIu_njso4&fmt=18


Bada bump -- thought this might have gotten lost in the shuffle and wanted Mr. Rodgers to know I did try to satisfy his request.

[GetRoached]

b drizzle, i will send those shows, I have to archive them and set up sendspaces for them.

[a21schizoidman]

my top 5:
1. Rare Earth
2. War
3. Grateful Dead
4. Blues Traveler
5. Phish

[OldFogey]

This is the list of jam bands I found at allmusic.com:

1st Blues Traveler 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
1st Dave Matthews 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
1st Medeski, Martin & Wood 90s, 00s Jazz
1st Phish 80s-00s Pop/Rock
1st Widespread Panic 80s-00s Pop/Rock
2nd Allgood 90s Pop/Rock
2nd Big Head Todd & the Monsters 80s-00s Pop/Rock
2nd The Black Crowes 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
2nd Everything 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
2nd Pat McGee Band Pop/Rock
2nd moe. 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
2nd The Other Ones 90s Pop/Rock
2nd John Popper 80s-00s Pop/Rock
2nd The Samples 80s-00s Pop/Rock
2nd Spin Doctors 90s Pop/Rock
3rd Big Sister 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd Captain Fathom 90s Pop/Rock
3rd Dayroom 90s Pop/Rock
3rd Forever Goldrush 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd Freeworld 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd Ben Harper 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd The Hatters 90s Pop/Rock
3rd Hootie & the Blowfish 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd Jimmy 2 Times 90s Pop/Rock
3rd O.A.R. 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd The Ominous Seapods 90s, 00s Pop/Rock
3rd The Welders 90s Pop/Rock
3rd Zircus 90s Pop/Rock

Interestingly, they don't count the Dead or the Allmans as jam bands, but rather as ancestors of jam bands.

I can't claim to have listened to al these bands. I do find it kind of funny to have Hootie and the Blowfish on the list. DMB is on the list, although I have seen where the band themselves don't like that label.

Glad to see Spin Doctors on the list -- they took a lot of heat for how goofy lead singer Chris Barron was and for having some big hits, but they could really play. Here they are doing their tune Shinbone Alley with John Popper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4uD3uzwLM8&fmt=18

Phil Lesh and Friends have put out some awesome lineups, including Robben Ford.

But the standout here is, as I mentioned before, Medeski, Martin and Wood.