Sound Check Music Blog

Music On The Mountaintop 2011- DAY 2

The music continues…

The following day was very similar to that of Friday. Amazing music all day long. One fantastic band after another. If you were there to find a specific style of bluegrass or discover the fresh sounds of mountain air, you were guaranteed to hear it at MOTM.

For example, Saturday’s first triumph was getting’ down and dirty with Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band. They straight up brought down the house with their funked out rips.

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Those very rips coupled with runs of Derrick Johnson and Greg Hollowell‘s horn celebration;  then infused with the slap bass of ‘front man Al Al Ingram, then sliced and diced with the dirty vocals and psycho-funk synth keys of “Sister” Mary Frances, resulted in an all out auditory perfect storm. If you were here to boogie, this gang made sure your mission had no other choice but to be accomplished.

Its booty time yall!

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Going to funkytown…

Next to hit the stage was Greensky Bluegrass. They are masters at delivering that traditional bluegrass sound we often take for granted.

Greensky has a tight hold on the bluegrass basics, while still simultaneously being progressive. Its a truly awesome combination and this multi-talented unit is destined to go a long way in the industry.

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Playing with the likes of Railroad Earth, Bela Fleck,  Tony Rice, Yonder Mountain, and Ralph Stanely, to name a few–Greensky Bluegrass has received a great deal of recognition and continue to spread the bluegrass movement across the nation.

Don’t go anywhere! Now taking the stage is The Infamous Stringdusters. If you’re looking for down-home bluegrass fun, check these boys out! They have talent levels that surpass most all expectation. Evenly matched with unbelievable amounts of agility.

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They jump around the stage like spring-chickens– back and forth from one side of the stage to the other–gravitating to whoever is holding the lead, and then just as quickly as they prove control they effortlessly hand off their lead to someone else.

What a blast they are to watch. You can tell by looking at their faces that they genuinely love what they do. They are feeding on the very energy their crowds exuberate. Truly a must see for the whole family.

Well folks if you came for bluegrass you’re about to get your money’s worth….

Introducing the one and only, master of mandolin and fiddle, the unsurpassable Mr. Sam Bush. Hope you brought your dancin shoes!

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Thirty-40 mph wind gusts are setting in and are proving to be one of many ways to get your hats off for one of the most recognizable performers in the industry.

As the wind picked up so did the band’s intensity. Sam was on fire! Taking the sounds of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and The Osborne Bros., then combining them with mesmorizing improvosational jams, is truly a sight to see.

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Bush has recorded with many artists over the years including Bela fleck, John Cowan, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett. But, his sound has changed tremendously in these  ”new grass” days and has been recently found opening  for the likes of Leon Russell.

His band is so free, yet they still stick to the fundamental boundaries of bluegrass; however, not afraid to expand those boundaries to another level of music. Bush and the gang played hit songs like “Long Haired Country Boy” and  “Midnight Rider.” They also did other covers that included songs originally by Leon Russell, Ronnie Van Zant and The Allman Brothers.

The crowd loved every second of it. Sticking to what Bush does best, he managed to hold on to that bluegrass/celtic flavor we have all grown to love. He’s a master and we were effin thrilled to see him.

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Despite the weather the 2011 Music On The Mountaintop festival deemed to be a huge success. I’m still playing each and every one of those tunes in my head right now– as im sure there are many others alike. SCMB can’t wait to see the line-up for next year; but, I really don’t know how thay can top this… Thanks for a wonderful weekend and look forward to attending again in 2012.

Good run!