Wanee Festival 2009 finally came and then went too fast as always.  It was a great weekend that was completely filled with the joy of music and some great bands really put on memorable shows.  For the most part the event went on without mother nature infringing too much like in 2007.  The rain was pretty light on Saturday and nonexistent on Friday.  In case you missed it, or are just trying to recapture the moments here is a quick recap of what unfolded at the fifth annual event…and also we will provide you with links to find the torrents of your favorite shows for free!

Photos Courtesy of Samantha Newton

The Allman Brothers are finally back…just not as jammy as before. Nonetheless, we won’t complain about two nights worth of southern blues, rock and jam music. The Liz Reed was just what the doctor ordered. So was the glorious The Sky Is Crying cover they pulled out.  As a whole, the band seemed a little less willing to extend out from their comfort zone then in years past.  The crowd at this years Wanee was definitely larger and maybe more interest was a bad thing.  The first night of the Allman Brothers was mellow and relaxed, almost as if Derek was just waiting for the show to be over and he could get to his set.  The second night was a lot more energy and in my opinion was a MUCH better show.  The band seemed to at least be enjoying themselves and not just waiting for it to be over.

Gov’t Mule

I hate to be so negative on so many bands but there are certain musicians, while I respect their ability and craft, that I just can’t seem to enjoy.  Acts like Gov’t Mule, where the songwriting is bleh, the jams are tired, and the highlights of the show are the covers they play. This just gets old after a few times of seeing them.  One thing about bands like this is that they are trying too hard to blur the line between being a popular band and still keep an air of improvisation.  What separates the big boys like Phish from a Gov’t Mule is that the WHOLE BAND is involved in every solo.  It is not just ‘hey let’s back up the soloist,’ instead it is ‘if I feel like taking this in a new direction I will and am encouraged to do so.’  I saw Phish a few nights after Wanee and the difference is overwhelming.  Phish is the best improvisational band out their today, there is no comparison.

Derek Trucks Band

I miss the days where the Derek Trucks Band played the songs off of their Soul Serenade and Songlines albums. It is almost like we are losing Derek to popular culture.  He started with such great, jazzy/bluesy stuff and now it is more and more pop.  When was the last Afro Blue or Oriental Folk Song? I am so sick of The Weight and Already Free.  Also, I have the feeling Derek would be better off in a band that was not his own, his song writing isn’t the best, but he could be part of something great if he just had the right people around him.  I realize this all sounds pretty negative.  I had a great time at these shows and it was a blast, I just feel like I have seen the same Derek show year after year and I can’t really tell you the difference between them.  Every Phish show I have been to is so much different and I can distinguish them all, I wish it was the same with Derek.

Buddy Guy

Since I have started with so much negative, here are some real positives at the festival.  Buddy Guy was a huge highlight of the festival.  For his age and also the legend that he has to live up to, it is amazing the show he can put on.  The show had some great blues and felt like a warm, sitting on the porch, listening experience.  Buddy proceeded to come off stage and wirelessly play guitar and sing while walking through the crowd.  It was a blast and the crowd was great.

The Lee Boys w/ Oteil, Keller Williams

Another highlight was definitely the Lee Boys with Oteil Burbridge.  The mix of pedal steel gospel and Oteil’s jazz bass makes a great energetic combination.  You could tell that the whole band and crowd was into the show and the growing crowd of artists backstage let you know that something special was happening.  Roosevelt Collier puts on a great show but I was really impressed by the rhythm guitarist, Matt Grondin.  Funky, nice motion in his lines, and completely willing to just help everyone else sound better.  He didn’t even take a single solo.  Also, solid as always, was Keller Williams.  He is usually so upbeat and happy it is difficult not to have a good time if the crowd responds at all.

BK3 (Bill Kreutzmann Trio)

A band that I was surprised by was BK3 (Bill Kreutzmann Trio).  First off, the sight of a Paul Languedoc guitar will always catch my attention.  We were walking up to the stage from afar and we were all like, damn that really sounds like Trey’s tone.  Little did we know that one of those beautiful hollow body creations of Mr. Languedoc was being used.  I need to get my hands on one of them.  Anyways, I thought this show was great and I would be excited to see BK3 again.  They played a great Scarlet and felt like an improvisational band should.  Nice grooves, not too minor, and fans bobbing their heads.  If you haven’t had a chance to see these guys I would highly recommend it.

Jorma Kaukonen

Jorma Kaukonen is a must-see live. If you appreciate the fine art of acoustic finger picking and song writing, you can’t afford to miss one of the game’s living legends live.  Unfortunately, it poured for most of Jorma’s set and it was a bit hard to hear.  This was one of the acts that I was really looking forward to and he sounded great.

Drive-By Truckers and Ron Hollowan

Last and certainly least…my two least favorite acts ever. First, the Drive-By Truckers. You suck. I see no reason that anybody would enjoy what you play.  I don’t mean to be too hard but seriously, who listens to this crap?  The songwriting is terrible, the signer sucks, the musicians are sub-par, and you all act like you are some big rock band that everyone admires.  Everytime I have seen you which has been 3 times too many, there is a large crowd to start and about 20 people by the end.  Please spare us and go play some carnivals, just stay away from Wanee.  Thanks.

Next up is Ron Holloway – You single-handedly kill every single jam you are involved in with your over-the-top, screeching sax solos.  I almost cry every time someone announces that Ron Holloway will be joining them.  With so many great sax players out there that can add so much to a song I don’t see why this guy gets so much attention from the Allman Brothers.  I know I am supposed to just be appreciative of the music and I do respect the fact that he is doing what he is doing but I don’t need to see him ruin song after song when I could be watching the Allman Brothers take more time themselves.

Maybe if the Drive-By Truckers would add Ron Holloway to their band all of this anguish could be avoided.

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Wanee Music Festival 2009 Torrent Links

(Lee Boys, Keller Williams, Derek Trucks Band, BK3, Dumpstaphunk, Jaimoe’s Jassz Band,  Gov’t Mule, Little Feat, The Radiators, Arc Angels, Umphrey’s McGee)

AND FINALLY, for all your Wanee Music Festival Torrent downloads, here are a ton of links to keep your eardrums satiated for a while…

• The Lee Boys with Oteil Burbridge Torrent
• Keller Williams Torrent
• Derek Trucks Band Torrent
• BK3 (Bill Kreutzmann Trio) Torrent
• Dumpstaphunk Torrent
• Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band Torrent
• Gov’t Mule Torrent
• Little Feat Torrent
• The Radiators Torrent
• Arc Angels Torrent
• Umphrey’s McGee Torrent