Yonder Mountain String Band - Georgia Theatre, Athens, GA - 10/19/2011
On October 19, 2011, Yonder Mountain String Band came to play what would be the first show in two nights of bluegrass at the newly re-opened Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA. The whole theatre was full of energy, as it has been every show since it reopened after it burnt down in 2009. The show started off somewhat tame, but by the time it was halfway through the first set everyone was more than warmed up, and the band brought way more to the table than I expected. They played some great covers including paying tribute to the likes of the Grateful Dead (“Paul & Silas”) and the Beatles in the noteworthy four song sandwich that ended the first set which included “Isolate” into “New Horizons” into “Catch a Criminal” and ending by transitioning back into “New Horizons.” By the end of the second set everyone in the audience was up on their feet and thirsty for more.
The second set was also very solid with some classic song choices. Jeff Austin’s sarcastic humor was on full display when he declared they would play a real bluegrass tune for everyone out there who claims YMSB is not bluegrass, and they ended up busting out Frank Zappa’s “I Am the Slime” to everyone’s delight. They also played their second Beatles cover of the night with “Come Together” and the audience gladly accepted it. Like the first, the second set ended with what seemed to be an effortless four-song transition which included “Free to Run” winding into “Honestly” then transitioning into “Sideshow Blues” and similar to the pattern with their first set, blending back into “Honestly.”
The thing that was the most impressive was the band’s musicianship. Although Yonder Mountain String Band would generally fall into the bluegrass category, their ability to add diversity and unique rhythms to this musical genre is quite impressive. I would say that some of the fans are right, YMSB is not a traditional bluegrass band; and if they were, they would not be fulfilling all the musical abilities they possess as a group. Each individual member adds a great deal to the sound as a whole, and Jeff Austin literally shreds a mandolin unlike anything I have ever seen, with his animated facial expressions and all. This show was a definite home run. The band played with exceptional energy and kept the crowd on their toes the whole time.
Setlist:
Set 1: Years With Rose, The Bolton Stretch, Paul & Silas, A Father's Arms, Red Rocking Chair, Strophe For An Unsung Albatross (Peanut Butter Cup), Sidewalk Stars, Ain't Been Myself In Years, Pockets, Get Me Outta This City, Isolate, New Horizons, Catch A Criminal, New Horizons
Set 2: Winds Of Wyoming, I Am The Slime, Sharecropper's Son, Going Up, Roughneck Blues, To See You Coming 'Round The Bend, Ten, Rambler's Anthem, Come Together, The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me, Free To Run, Honestly, Sideshow Blues, Honestly
Encore: Troubled Mind
