jamuary

JAMuary, Day 10: The Elephant in the Room

Jan 192009

Today we present JAMuary’s elephant in the room, from what’s commonly accepted as the cleanest side of vinyl on an otherwise enthusiastically spun album, the “Apple Jam” side of George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. There’s a good chance that, even if you’ve owned this album since its original release, not a note from this jam would ring a bell. That’s how long it’s been since you’ve heard it, right? Well, there’s no better time than JAMuary to revisit this legendary solo Beatles member jam!

Because this album was reissued in digitally remastered format in 2001 – and this track was likely skipped just as frequently in this medium – I’m providing both the original vinyl version and the digitally remastered version for comparision. I think you’ll agree that the difference in the two versions truly is remarkable.

First, here’s the key Apple Jam burned from my orginal vinyl version of All Things Must Pass, a very clean side of vinyl I might add!

George Harrison, “I Remember Jeep” (original vinyl burn)

Next, the digitally remastered edition from the album’s 2001 CD reissue. Had this version appeared on the original vinyl release I’m guessing it would have gotten more than an initial spin from George Harrison fans before being filed away forever.
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JAMuary, Day 9: Mother’s Milk

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 172009

I thought it was only fitting, following Townsman Geo‘s posting of the Mother of All Jams, The Grateful Dead‘s Live/Dead version of “Dark Star,” that we also run Henry Kaiser‘s loving cover of this classic jam. This one’s from his Those Who Know History Are Doomed to Repeat It album, courtesy of Geo. I remember this release causing quite a fuss when it came out. It seemed to be part of the avant-punk scene’s acknowledgment of the Dead’s forgotten cred. I didn’t get it then, but hearing it after all these years, compared with the extremely subtle, shall we say, classic Dead version, this even longer jam grabs a hold of my attention more readily. What do you think?

Henry Kaiser, “Dark Star”

A funny coincidence: I was watching Werner Herzog‘s documentary about the South Pole tonight, and who should appear in it but Henry Kaiser! He’s seen jamming, man, on the roof of a trailer. Turns out he even produced the movie and did the soundtrack with David Lindley. What’s the deal with Henry Kaiser, anyhow?

JAMuary, Day 8: Indie-Rock Jams

Posted by Oats

Jan 162009

Perhaps this track will better illustrate what I consider jamming.

Electrelane, “Today”

Brighton, England quartet Electrelane (who unfortunately are on one of those cursed “indefinite hiatuses”) were one of my favorite bands of this decade. The instrumental “Today” (from their excellent Singles, B-Sides & Live compilation) features a seemingly agreed-upon structure, but veers off into unexpected, gloriously noisy territory. Dig those mind-melting guitars. I think of it as the meeting place of Neu! and Impulse-era John Coltrane, with a healthy dose of Sonic Youth as well.

Dugout Chatter: JAMuary Edition

Posted by cdm

Jan 162009

Please consider the following in terms of rock music only, not jazz/classical/etc:

What is the longest song that you are willing to sit through?

What is the shortest recording that you are willing to admit constitutes an actual song?

What is the shortest song that contains an actual bona fide jam?

What is the longest song that does not contain a jam?

Please rank from most preferable to least:
a) ’60s psychedelic jams
b) ’70s southern rock jams
c) ’90s jam-band jams

What do you suppose led to the a dearth of jamming in the ’80s?

Does the MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams” really count as kicking out the jams or is the song structure and performance too tight for the jams to have been actually kicked out?

Name your favorite rock jam.

Name your least favorite rock jam (please be specific, ie, don’t just say Phish).

Do you think that the Hear Factor, Season 2 discs contained any jams? Do you think we’ll ever know for sure?

Please Define: Jamming

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 152009

OK, now you guys tell me there’s a lack of clarity on the term jamming. Some of you feel that the more it’s planned out the less it’s jamming. I’m not so sure that I agree. I think, in part, the term refers to a communal activity among musicians that involves the stance of jamming. As a group, let’s define what we mean when we talk about jamming.

Battle Royale: Unlikeliest Band to Have Jammed

Posted by Mr. Moderator

Jan 152009

What’s the unlikeliest band to have ever jammed on record? The first that comes to mind for me is The Kinks, on the relatively long solo that closes one of my favorite songs from Arthur, “Australia.” I’m sure there are more unlikely bands that have jammed. Does the expanded Odessa, for instance, contain free jazz scat singing by the Brothers Gibb?

Note: The 1971 featured above, in which The Beach Boys joined The Grateful Dead on stage for a cover of “Okie From Muskogee,” may not count because it’s only from some Deadhead archival release. However, it’s a most unlikely jam!

JAMuary, Day 6: The Mother of All Jams

Posted by geo

Jan 142009

What would JAMuary be without at least one visit from the “Mother of All Jam Bands,” the Grateful Dead? The legendary “Dark Star” was the opening cut on Live/Dead, the 1969 record of the band at the height of its JAM Powers. And JAM it is, a long, modal, free-form expansion of a 3-minute single into a 23-minute exploration into the outer limits of rock. It is not the most rockin’ of JAMS, but rather a contemplation of subtle interplay, tone, and feedback that you will concede rises far above any charges of mere noodling.

The Grateful Dead, “Dark Star”

Don’t miss Phil’s resonant melodic inventions, Bobby’s light touch on rhythm, and most of all, Jerry’s repeated reinvention of his guitar tone for each of the flowing sections. In fact, anyone with an open mind should agree that it sounds as if “it’s planned out” and not mind it at all.

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