“How do you like your music, sir?” If you were asked this question in a restaurant, how would you answer it? If your answer included the word “jam”, read on.
Although jam bands and their legions of supporters certainly debate their placement on this list, it seems that there are few. at least who is gathered. Therefore, while this is by no means a “definitive” Top 10 List, it should be noted that other lists previously made have no influence on this one, except for taste;
10. Medeski Martin & Wood – A modern jazz band that also incorporates elements of related genres, such as funk and hip-hop, Medeski Martin & Wood makes one of those very unusual sounds that is hard to describe, and this has earned it a cult following.
Although they started as an entirely acoustic band (chronic on their debut, Notes from the Underground), John Medeski later added a variety of keyboards, mellotron, melodic and clavine. In 1995, they performed with Phish, leading to an association with the bands Jam. If you like it, but you prefer it quirky, check out one of the tables (or better yet, see it in person).
9. Jimi Hendrix‘s Experience – While Hendrix was the most extraordinary talent of this band, his interaction with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell was essential to the sound. As with so many of his contemporaries, Usus incorporated blues and jazz influences while pioneering the sound that later evolved into hard rock< /a > and heavy metal in the 70s.
Also, like many of their Top 10 neighbors here, the band’s sound had a very psychedelic feel, which in some ways seems a primer for the jammed category of the band. Have you ever been “experienced”?
8. Led Zeppelin – Again, some people argue about the label “jam band” for Zeppelin; if in doubt, watch some footage of his life. One of the most famous pictures, of course, is the one from The Song Remains the Same, shot at Madison Square Garden in 1973.
The show included some amazing songs like “Dazed and Confused”, in which Jimmy Page played his guitar remarkably well with a bow; “A Whole Lotta Love”, a Willie Dixon-inspired song in which Page is incorporated; and “Moby Dick,” in which the late John Bonham demonstrated his unearthly ability to strike. Is this enough evidence? Judge.
7. Ween– You don’t see this band in everyone’s Top 10, or even in the Top 50. Why? The Mothers of Invention, like Frank Zappa, are very quirky and not above self-parody. Despite those truths, Ween are a very talented group, able to weave genres together with such subtlety.
For those unfamiliar with the brainchild of Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo (a.k.a. Dean and Geen Ween), listen to their 1994 masterpiece Criminal and Cheese, which some consider an early hint of their genius. Featuring everything from The Doors (“Bring Me”) to George Harrison (“Baby Bitch”) and everything in between, the Ween boys prove their mettle. If that album is ringing sweetly in your ears, then check out the rest of the material.
6. Blind Melon – While primarily known for the mega-hit “No Rain” Blind Melon is a rare gem among the 90’s alternative rock chains Influences included such as Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. If you don’t have much of a taste of Blind Melon, you will notice some of the smaller melodies, such as the melodic, bluesy “Paper Scratcher” or the melancholy “Cavity Mouth.” All the senses of the band are already there.
5. years, they have developed a strong bond that can only be formed through a shared passion for their craft and the strength to overcome tragedy.
Guitarist and lead vocalist John Bell once said of the band, “When we started, the only intention was to create an environment where the audience could freely allow to allow personal inspiration through them,” according to VH1.com. Not only did this spread terror, but perhaps sense in the whole complex. It is this dedication, as well as the expertise of the band, that has earned it legions of fans.
4. Béla Fleck and the Flecktones – It’s only fitting that Fleck is named after composer Béla Bartok; After all, he picked up the banjo at the tender age of 15, and is now recognized by many as one of the best players in the world. Fleck formed his now-famous band, the Flecktones, in 1989, according to his official website.
They called their self-titled debut in a genre like “blu-bop” and launched the career of one of the most beloved jam bands out there, still active today. Case in point: one of its members, Roy Wilfred “Futureman” Wooten, created a method of playing the guitar on an instrument of his own invention, called the “drumitar”. Genius, they say, is overrated.
3. Phish – Like the Dead, Phish’s inimitable brand of music has inspired a devoted fanatical following. Also, like many bands on this list, they expertly mix styles, including rock, jazz, blues, and blues. However, when Phish are forced to adapt to the genre, most critics (even if they won’t admit it).
The band itself is surrounded by myths and a secret language that is only understood by real fans. For senior thesis guitarist/vocalist Trey Anastasio wrote and album The Man Who Came In Yesterday. (TMWSIY). The lyrics tell the epic story of an evil tyrant taking over his kingdom, Gamehendge and the hero’s quest to free them. Phish has played the album in its entirety at live shows more than once.
It is possible that they will go on and limit the brilliance of this band, but it is not necessary.
2. The Allman Brothers Band– Widely recognized as one of the greatest jamming bands of all time, the Allman Brothers Band set the standard by which most (if not all) future jammers will be judged.
1969 founded by Duane Allman (guitar); Gregg Allman (vocals and organ); Forest Richard “Dickey” Betts (guitar); Berry Oakley (bass); and both Claude Hudson “Butch” Trucks and Jaimoe Johansen (drums) mixed a multitude of musical styles, arising from various backgrounds. These included blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, jazz, and even classical.
Like their predecessors and successors in the jam world, the group had an almost magical chemistry to which their albums could only hint. The Allmans were particularly known for their intricate composition which resulted from their knowledge of the strings and instruments of classical music. Whether they know it or not, many rock and blues musicians today owe some of their success to the Allman Brothers.
1. The The Grateful Dead – Although not everyone agrees, The Grateful Dead is considered a classic by most rock fans think it’s the greatest jam band of all time (thanks in no small part to basically inventing the genre).
At the time of its inception, the emphasis on performance, community between fans and band members, and word of mouth were more or less new ideas. If it weren’t for the Dead, we probably wouldn’t have the bands Phish, Ween, Blues Host, and The Wire Cheese Incident.
Plus, almost as famous as the Dead themselves are their rabidly devoted fans, known as Deadheads. More than just associated with the hippie subculture, the chapters of the Dead have inspired documentaries and intellectual studies (for example, the journal “Stimulating Sociological Thought through the Study of the Community of the Dead” by Rebecca G. Adams, UNC at Greensboro).
So if you already love bands, be grateful. Without them, the rest probably wouldn’t have happened.
