The Allman Brothers Band is a favorite of mine.

agree 100%, especially if Phish or Panic are the ones we are referring to. Neither really impressed me much, even on drugs I could bear to listen to Phish for more than 2 songs and Panic is even worse IMO. They just go on and on and really it never seemed that musically spectacular to begin with.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

I do love the Allman Brothers. They were among the earliest founders of the jam band genre, but even in their "jamming", they were able to remain within the melodic boundaries of the song without compromising its identity. Plus, the songwriting was phenomenal and Duane's slide playing will make you cry.

Also, I'm a big fan of Dave Matthew's Band, but to me they don't fit exactly into the mold that I consider a jam band. Melody always remains a central characteristic of their songs. Or maybe I'm a hypocrite...haha

Sure, I like several. It's silly to dismiss the whole genre just because you don't dig long songs. Keep in mind that many 'jam bands' have done a pretty good job of cranking out the shorter radio tunes but stretch it out when they play live. Do you like Zappa, Little Feat, Blues Traveler, P. Floyd, J. Airplane or the Dead? How about Derek Trucks, Hot Tuna, Allman Bros or Bela FlecK? Jam bands all.

Check these out... Backdoor Slam, String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon. All these bands have a big catalog of short songs but also the ability to make each performance special because they play every song different every time they play it.

Have you ever been disappointed after a live performance because the band played every song note for note like the record?

I prefer Widespread Panic to Phish, and I don't dig 'em all. Bands like Galactic, or Modeski Martin & Wood are not my cup of tea at all. I'm blessed to live in the hometown of Warren Haynes annual Christmas Jam where you'll see on-stage combinations like these:

http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrac ... stmas-jam/

Folks that have never played together letting the music go where it may, and that's what a jam is all about, right?

n.

Hey noley,
You're lucky to live near where the Christmas Jam happens.
I met Warren Haynes many years ago here in TN. when he played for David Allen Coe,before he became so well known,he was a nice guy and we were going to jam but never got together...he could have blown me away I'll bet. ...anyway one of my son's biggest heroes is Warren and he is a good one.

Indeed, a good place to be all year 'round! Just down the road from you I suppose, but separated by the I-40 avalanche right now eh?

Yep, Warren is a local hero, and the Jam is a major event here in town. This year will be the 22nd annual. A good example of someone 'making it big and giving something back':

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Mus ... index.html

Jam on all y'all Loungers!

n.