Yim Yames Does George Harrison

It's no secret that I adore Jim James from My Morning Jacket. And I never mentioned meeting him this past winter after Patrick, his drummer, played for Dan Auerbach at Bowery Ballroom. Now, I usually steer clear of celebrities and try to stay out of their way but this HAD to be the exception. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A few beers later, I not only realized he had no interest whatsoever in having me as his new BFF, but is also stuck in the past. He's no fan of Kings of Leon, nor Fleet Foxes. He respects his classics, like Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and George Harrison...which is his own prerogative, hell I grew up listening to classic rock and classic rock only. James, a.k.a. Yim Yames' new 6 song EP (soon to become a full record), makes sense, and I can't wait. Tribute To is a collection of George Harrison's solo works and will be released July 7th. A genius covering a genius.

Read more and listen to a taste here or download "Behind That Locked Door" at yimyames.com. If that weren't enough to wet your appetite, James' collaboration with Conor Oberst, M. Ward and Mike Mogis birthed Monsters of Folk, which will be released 9/22/09.

PHISH DOES ALPINE VALLEY, WI; GODS OF JAM

What a weekend!!!  To say my friends were jealous of the Alpine Valley shows would be an understatement.  Yes, it's taken a few days to report back but it also took me a week to get back. I was so caught up in the wilderness fun I wanted it to last as long as possible, and that meant a road trip back to the east coast.

Kizz and friends settled at our campsite in Mukwonago Park, which I highly recommend if you need a place to camp during a future Alpine Valley show.  We enjoyed days of cornhole and tailgating, with plenty of new friends.  Both shows were mind blowing.  Memories came flooding back and songs were played to perfection.  These guys are the kings, the emperors, the rulers, the Gods of jamming and no song fell short.  They're clean, energetic, happy, and even brought the kids along to sit in a bathtub on stage during "Bathtub Gin."  They just announced a 3 day festival over Halloween in Indio, CA and I believe they're playing a New Years show in Miami.  If you really want to go all out, I suggest the Gorge (8/7-8/8) or Red Rocks (7/30-8/2) shows, or join me at Merriweather (8/15)!

You can check out all the set lists, listen and purchase them here!

My Set Lists:

East Troy, WI, 6/20

SET ONE Punch You in the Eye (9:17)   Runaway Jim (9:32)   Stash (12:08) Ya Mar (7:14)   Bathtub Gin (13:05) Kill Devil Falls (8:20)   Train Song (2:47)   Farmhouse (4:55)   Sparkle (3:47)

	DISC TWO

Run Like an Antelope (10:25)   SET TWO Waves (8:23)   Sample in a Jar (5:20)   Maze (11:37)   Makisupa Policeman (5:13)   Ghost (11:58)   The Lizards (10:31)

	DISC THREE

You Enjoy Myself (12:27) NICU (4:56)   Prince Caspian (6:49)   Waste (5:32)   Fire (5:15)   ENCORE Character Zero (7:37)

East Troy, WI, 6/21

SET ONE Brother (5:42)   Wolfman's Brother (9:04)   Funky Bitch (5:03)   The Divided Sky (15:31) Joy (5:22)   Back on the Train (7:41)   Taste (8:54)   Poor Heart (2:26)   The Horse (1:06)   Silent In The Morning (4:50)   The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday (2:44)   Avenu Malkanu (3:13)   The Man Who Stepped into Yesterday (1:43)

	DISC TWO

Time Turns Elastic (16:51) SET TWO Crosseyed and Painless (5:53)   Alpine Jam (9:16)   Down with Disease (13:18) Bug (8:04)   Piper (12:50) Wading in the Velvet Sea (6:15)

	DISC THREE

Boogie On Reggae Woman (5:48)   Slave to the Traffic Light (13:54) ENCORE Grind (2:33)   Frankenstein (5:46)