JamBase has a full and complete run-down of last weekend’s AmJam, complete with plenty of great photos. Here’s the Saturday review:
The Sparrow Quartet held a repeat performance the following day on the Main Stage, sandwiched between gorgeous local bluegrass babes, the Barrel House Mamas, and the gospel and funk-influenced steel band, The Lee Boys from Miami.
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band’s guitarist-songwriter Josh Phillips took the Pond Stage at dusk with his Asheville-based band, The Folk Festival. Phillips’ side project seemed to be more focused on simpler forms of folk and bluegrass tunes, which provided a nice segue way into the Keel and McMurry Farms set on the Main Stage. Keel, who is always a down-to-earth musician that straddles the line between traditional and contemporary bluegrass, delivered yet another impeccable show – the first of the two sets he played that weekend.As Gov’t Mule made its way to the Main Stage, a tangible sensation of excitement hung in the air. This set marked the first local (non-Christmas Jam) gig for frontman Warren Haynes since Bele Chere in 2006.
“Performing in the Asheville area is always special,” Haynes told the Asheville Citizen-Times. “I’m definitely really happy that the scene has flourished like it has. There’s always been a special vibe, musically speaking, in Asheville, and there’s always been a scene, though it’s much larger now.”
The Mule crew was riding high after its respite from the road, and seemed eager to integrate some old favorites with a few new jams that melted faces as the crowd cheered and danced for the entirety of the band’s two-and-a-half hour set. The band teased Bob Marley’s “Get Up Stand Up” during their mid-set performance of “Play With Fire,” and threw in a few “Shakedown Street” chords during “Unring The Bell.” As the show neared completion, Keller Williams joined the group to sit in on Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” which was quickly followed by Haynes’ gruff voice belting out Gov’t Mule’s staple encore, “Soulshine.”
BoomBox (a.k.a. DJ Russ Randolph and Zion Godchaux, son of Keith Godchaux and Donna Jean) kicked out the intergalactic space jams as soon as the last Mule note was struck. Strapped with his funky bass and trusty mixer, Godchaux donned his trademark furry pink pimp hat and cranked out a disco-breakin’ set. The Jeff Sipe Trio brought Coffin’s incredible horn skills back to the stage with a free-flowing format, wiggling in and out of what could only be described as a blend of jazz, funk and techno.