For those who follow the jam band scene, Bonnaroo was Mecca. 70,000 people came together through word of mouth and e-mail (no advertising), and converged on an exceptional gathering of artists. To take the three day music festival, populated by bands that thrive on live energy and extended jams, and cram it into one package, even a two-CD set, is a daunting task. The fact that much of the energy survives the transition is an achievement in itself. The fact that it translates into a mostly cohesive album is an absolute wonder.
As hard as it is to pick highlights from the set, there are a few. Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, formerly of jam band granddaddies the Grateful Dead, show how things used to be done, while Trey Anastasio of Phish leads a dazzling horn section through a ten minute workout. Bela Fleck shows why he’s the only banjo player worth listening to, and Norah Jones brings a smooth jazz groove to the proceedings. While some of the jams are overly long and a little boring, the only real misstep comes from Jurassic 5. While they fit well in the festival’s atmosphere, their track here is a jarring departure from the rest of the album, completely throwing off the flow. However, this can be overlooked, as the album is an amazing substitute for those who couldn’t make it.