Being alone can truly be a grind. And we’ve been experiencing some crazy times alone, isolated and losing our minds. But jamming is something we can all do, whether it’s together digitally, or separated in our own spaces. Practicing and jamming can be very therapeutic. So here are some tracks that extend the jam. Get lost and enjoy
Dave Matthews Band – So Much to Say/Anyone Seen the Bridge?/Too Much
This kick ass trio of songs from the Piedmont Park concert in 2007 are a perfect one, two, three punch to get lost into. It’s a fun, no nonsense jam that leaves anyone feeling floored. The acoustic riff for ‘So Much to Say’ is addictive. And the double pedal groove on ‘Anyone Seen the Bridge?’ will leave any drummer craving to learn. The version of ‘Too Much’ is just loaded with energy. It’s a perfect trio of tracks that will get anyone lost in the jammage.
Dream Theater – ‘Beyond This Life’
The version I’m adding here is from the Budokan concert; recorded in 2003 on the ‘Train of Thought’ tour. It clocks in at just under 20 minutes due to extended, kick ass prog jamming. John Petrucci really lets his improv skills fly, showing that he’s capable of more than just rigidly following the written music. And the Mike Portnoy/Jordan Rudess duet is nearly worth the price of admission. It all comes together brilliantly at the end, tying the song around in practically perfect fashion. Should we expect anything less from the prog metal gods?
Mastodon – The Czar: Usurper/Escape/Martyr/Spiral
What an excellent track to get lost in. This melancholy track covers a few aspects of Mastodon’s sound. Everything from trippy, dark balladry to classic, catchy as all hell melodic groove metal. And Bent Hinds’ ability to jam the crap out of his guitar. As you can see from the title, the song goes through four movements. But they’re frankly so seamlessly intertwined it’s hard to truly distinct where one starts and ends. But it doesn’t really matter because this ten minute plus track is super high quality all the way through.
Living Colour – Sacred Ground
The extended live jam of this from the Paris concert is a hole in one. The ambient, spacey drum solo in the intro shows just how inventive and technical Living Colour can be. Plus it goes into such a killer jam, groove riff during the verses. The middle jam, that grooves hard, shows just how potent of a guitar player Vernon Reid is. While Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun keep the beat heavy and funky. It’s ultimately one of the catchiest extended jams ever.
Winger – Generica
This kick ass version from Winger’s 2007 live offering is anything but generic. The simple, yet effective chord modulation morphs into an intense funk metal jam. Reb Beach and Jon Roth rip the crap out of their instruments. Displaying that they’re easily one of the most overlooked guitar duo’s in all of hard rock and metal. And it’s full on. They don’t let up and they don’t make exceptions. If you’re a Winger skeptic, this is a great track to jam on that might just turn your opinion around.
