Rollingstone.com last week asked its readers to nominate their favorite jam bands, in celebration of Phish, the Dead and the Allman Brothers all announcing tour dates.
Well the list is in, and as would be expected, it’s causing a bit of a stir.
1. Allman Brothers Band
2. The Grateful Dead
3. Phish
4. Umphrey’s McGee
5. moe.
6. Widespread Panic
7. Led Zeppelin
8. My Morning Jacket
9. Dave Matthews Band
10 Gov’t Mule
11. Jimi Hendrix
12. String Cheese Incident
13. Santana
14. Disco Biscuits
15. STS9
As awesome as the Allman Brothers certainly are, I find it very surprising that they beat out the Grateful Dead, who arguably influenced more people in the modern “jam” scene than any other band. Still, you can’t say the Allman Brothers aren’t deserving of such an honor. These guys without a doubt epitomize the spirit of the jam.
Then there’s Phish, Umphrey’s, moe., and Panic. Right on. Anyone reading this blog lately knows we’re fans of these bands.
But Zeppelin? My Morning Jacket? Dave Matthews Band? Jimi Hendrix? Really? I’m a big fan of each of these bands, and certainly each is capable of some monster live shows, but I wouldn’t really classify them as “jam bands.” Having either listened to or attended many shows of all these guys, I feel it’s more that they throw in extended jams in a few select songs during a set, as opposed to shaping their sets around the jam. In other words, the songs still primarily drive the shows, not the jams.
In my mind, however, a “jam band” does just the opposite — it sees the jam as driving the show, not necessarily the song.
Does this make sense?
Readers have also been sounding off on whether the Disco Biscuits and Sound Tribe (STS9) should be on this list, and I say hells yeah, absolutely! Sure they’re more electronic than the other bands on the list, but it’s undeniable that their live shows are grounded in improvisational jamming.
Jon Gutwillig, guitarist for tDB, recently talked to me about the spirit of jamming and improv at live shows, saying the goal is to transcend the physical act of playing. Check out the unedited interview. It’s pretty funny.
One of the best parts of a “jam band” show, in my opinion, is when the band collectively takes the music so far from the original song that you completely lose track of what song they’re actually in. I always crack up when the band then ends up wrapping back around to the song — sometimes after mixing in other songs in between — and am grateful for being able to lose myself in the music.
In the end, lists are never perfect. But still, I’d gladly listen to any of the bands in the RollingStone.com list. Come to think of it… I’m in the mood for a little moe., considering I’m going to see Vinnie Amico (drummer) play this weekend with the Willie Waldman Project in Bridgeport, Conn.
Long live the jam!
27 Comments
GASP! No Jonas Brothers? Oh Em Gee!
(wow, didn’t know sarcasm could make me gag)
I’m tempted to delete that comment as spam.
Yikes: I’ve only seen three of them. But at least that includes the top two. Nice list.
Where is Robert Randolph & His Family Band. I know they took some heat from their last CD but I think they should crack the top 15. No?
Gosh, haven’t listened to Robert Randolph in a while! Time to come back to that for sure! Thanks for bringing this to mind, Errol.
Zeppelin is (was) most assuredly a Jam band…especially if the ABB are considered one…
( As Gregg Allman always says…the ABB are NOT a “jamband” they are a band that jams – They too only jam in a few select songs that lend themselves to jamming- with many songs that are short or with no jamming)
...but Zeppelin sure jammed with the best- especially early Zep where they would throw in a ton of old blues quotes and teases of other tunes…as well as just extended improv jamming… true jam band.
Zep certainly is debatable, but I’m sticking to my guns and saying they are not really a “jam band.” Yes, they absolutely can and do jam with the best of ‘em, as you say, Carter. But musically they’re more of an early heavy metal band than a jam band. At least in my book—which God knows is rather roughly written and unedited!
Thanks for the great comment, C!
The Allman Brothers at Number #1?! SCI at #12?!
I agree that STS9 and Bisco deserve a spot on the list. Though I think UM is debatable, especially at such a high spot—while they most certainly started out as a jamband, I think anyone who has seen them recently would agree that their style as evolved to more prog-rock.
And most importantly, how did Wounded Buffalo Theory fail to make the cut?
i hear wbt was #16….
good point about UM. they certainly are tight these days. yay prog rock!! :]
UM is definitely on the prog-rock side of things, but there’s also plenty of improv going on in their “Jimmy Stewart” segments, and I would absolutely classify them as a jamband. Let’s also not forget that Phish in the early 90’s went through a phase where there was very little of the jamming we saw in the later part of their career.
I’ve only seen a few of these bands live, but I would definitely have ranked Santana higher—especially early Santana. Even their recorded songs were just recorded jams.
But the thing that makes them so special is that their jams DO sound like songs! Due in no part, I think to Carlos Santana’s improvisational genius, which makes his improvised solos sound like thought-out melodies.
Here’s an excellent review of Carlos Santana’s playing style:
http://www.savortheband.com/Santana/Tone-Playing-Style-01.html
thanks, bobby! great link. there’s no doubt that santana has a special something that just sets him apart.
i love this song with the joe bros!
Freddy Jones Band has some shows coming up this summer…
http://www.myspace.com/freddyjonesband
I have seen 8 of these bands not including half of Led Zeppelin. I agree with half the list that i have seen. But can’t make an informed opinion about the others including hendrix or santana. I am a fan but wouldnt say that they belong on this list.
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The only true jamband on list is the Disco Biscuits! They jam everything!
Any “jam band” list that doesn’t have the Grateful Dead first has ZERO credibility. Next.
^ Agreed, but GD is #2 on the list…
First: Why would you ever ask Rolling Stone readers who the best jam bands are? They obviously don’t listen to jam bands if they read Rolling Stone.
Second: There is a huge difference between most popular jam bands and best jam bands. This list is based on what bands are the most popular.
Let’s just pretend this little list never happened.
unbelievable rolling stone- the greatest jam band of all time is without a doubt or debate the Grateful Dead, you are truly unbelievable what an insult . clueless
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Commenting on this a little late but anyway…I think DMB is certainly just as much a jam band as ABB. Probably my favorite on the list in fact. Sure, most of their jams are usually more structured/predictable, but they’re true jams nonetheless. Been to 4 of their shows, one of which Gregg Allman opened for. Saw Umphrey’s for the first time last night. So damn good. Seeing Gov’t Mule in a month. Hopefully seeing Phish in August. (Also seeing RHCP in October; they’re definitely not afraid to jam but I understand why they didn’t make the list). Really pumped about all of them! I missed the chance to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones last week – I’m not really sure why they didn’t make this list. Pink Floyd probably could/should have joined it too. Overall though, one of the few Rolling Stone “top” lists that I don’t disagree with too much.
Allman Brothers before the Dead? da fuq
I have seen the ABB 9 times dating back until 1992. They are my favorite jame band for obvious reasons, but to put them above the Dead is just insane. The Dead are what every true “jam” band strives to be. Phish, Widespread are great choices also. DMB should be classified as a “jam” band because when they go into solo’s they musicians truly shine and the song becomes a backdrop for the jam.