Greg McLoughlin - Review - Warren Haynes Christmas Jam 12/20/03 Asheville Civic Center

December 20th was declared "Warren Haynes Day" in Asheville, North Carolina, by the mayor this year. Rightfully so. Warren, best known for his slide guitar playing with the Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh & Friends, and Gov't Mule, is not only one of the finest musicians of my generation, but is also one of the hardest working, most generous and most respected.

Everything that Warren Haynes represents is brought full circle every year, when he holds a Christmas Jam in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Each year, he brings together several musicians for an all-star concert that is literally swimming in incredible music, good times and great vibes, for a great cause. I had the honor of attending for the first time this year, and like the other 7,000 in attendance, I was blown away for almost eight hours.

There were so many performances that I can't go into detail on all of them, but here are some highlights.

North Mississippi All-Stars - I love this band. I've seen em about five or six times now and their performance at the Christmas Jam was nothing short of spectacular. John Bell and Warren Haynes sitting in for Lovelight was nothing to complain about either!

Keller Williams with Michael Kang and friends - Keller Williams is one of the most talented singer/songwriters and guitarists on the scene today. He has a completely unique style and sound. Keller often performs with the String Cheese Incident, and for this performance, SCI's Michael Kang joined Keller for a few songs, most notably "Best Feeling." This is one of my favorite String Cheese songs and their performance of this together was one of the most beautiful moments of the night.

As musicians came and went during Keller's set, eventually the lineup of musicians on stage changed completely to include Sam Bush, John Cowan, Michael Kang, and some members of the Yonder Mountain String Band. For the duration of this set, I heard some of the most incredible bluegrass playing and singing that I have ever heard. This jam actually rivaled the double bill of the Del McCoury Band and Leftover Salmon which I was lucky enough to catch in New York a few months back.

I am a huge fan of Widespread Panic, and it was quite a treat to witness my first solo-acoustic performance by John Bell. After the first song, JB was joined by Panic bassist Dave Schools for a stunning rendition of "Papa's Home". Then Panic drummer Todd Nance, along with Warren Haynes, joined in for "Traveling Light." Words can't describe.

Next up was Stained Souls - This is a side-project for each musician involved... Dave Schools, Col. Bruce Hampton, Tinsley Ellis, Danny Louis & Todd Nance. I never heard any of their music before, but what a rocking tight set. I would love to hear more from this band again!

The Funky Meters took the stage around 12:30 AM... and it barely seemed like the night had begun as they ripped through probably the hottest set I have ever witnessed from them. George and the boys were absolutely on fire! In the mid 90's I used to see them play twice a year at the now defunct club "Tramps" in New York City, and I have not seen them in over three years. They absolutely layed it down this time!

Gregg Allman and Friends took the stage around 1:40 to wrap up the evening. Some of the most incredible jamming of the night took place here, my personal highlight being "Dreams" with Warren Haynes and Sonny Landreth trading solos... man oh man! Then Luther Dickinson joining in on One Way Out.... sweet!

Around 2:40 the evening finally wrapped up. What a night, and what a great cause! I have so much respect and am grateful that we have someone like Warren in the world to do so much good and bring together so many.

	Greg's Concert Memory of the Month, January 2004
	Warren Haynes 15th Annual Christmas Jam
	Asheville, North Carolina - December 20, 2003
	December 20th was declared "Warren Haynes Day" in Asheville, North Carolina, by the mayor this year. Rightfully so. Warren, best known for his slide guitar playing with the Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh & Friends, and Gov't Mule, is not only one of the finest musicians of my generation, but is also one of the hardest working, most generous and most respected. Everything that Warren Haynes represents is brought full circle every year, when he holds a Christmas Jam in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Each year, he brings together several musicians for an all-star concert that is literally swimming in incredible music, good times and great vibes, for a great cause. I had the honor of attending for the first time this year, and like the other 7,000 in attendance, I was blown away for almost eight hours. There were so many performances that I can't go into detail on all of them, but here are some highlights. North Mississippi All-Stars - I love this band. I've seen em about five or six times now and their performance at the Christmas Jam was nothing short of spectacular. John Bell and Warren Haynes sitting in for Lovelight was nothing to complain about either! Keller Williams with Michael Kang and friends - Keller Williams is one of the most talented singer/songwriters and guitarists on the scene today. He has a completely unique style and sound. Keller often performs with the String Cheese Incident, and for this performance, SCI's Michael Kang joined Keller for a few songs, most notably "Best Feeling." This is one of my favorite String Cheese songs and their performance of this together was one of the most beautiful moments of the night. As musicians came and went during Keller's set, eventually the lineup of musicians on stage changed completely to include Sam Bush, John Cowan, Michael Kang, and some members of the Yonder Mountain String Band. For the duration of this set, I heard some of the most incredible bluegrass playing and singing that I have ever heard. This jam actually rivaled the double bill of the Del McCoury Band and Leftover Salmon which I was lucky enough to catch in New York a few months back. I am a huge fan of Widespread Panic, and it was quite a treat to witness my first solo-acoustic performance by John Bell. After the first song, JB was joined by Panic bassist Dave Schools for a stunning rendition of "Papa's Home". Then Panic drummer Todd Nance, along with Warren Haynes, joined in for "Traveling Light." Words can't describe. Next up was Stained Souls - This is a side-project for each musician involved... Dave Schools, Col. Bruce Hampton, Tinsley Ellis, Danny Louis & Todd Nance. I never heard any of their music before, but what a rocking tight set. I would love to hear more from this band again! The Funky Meters took the stage around 12:30 AM... and it barely seemed like the night had begun as they ripped through probably the hottest set I have ever witnessed from them. George and the boys were absolutely on fire! In the mid 90's I used to see them play twice a year at the now defunct club "Tramps" in New York City, and I have not seen them in over three years. They absolutely layed it down this time! Gregg Allman and Friends took the stage around 1:40 to wrap up the evening. Some of the most incredible jamming of the night took place here, my personal highlight being "Dreams" with Warren Haynes and Sonny Landreth trading solos... man oh man! Then Luther Dickinson joining in on One Way Out.... sweet! Around 2:40 the evening finally wrapped up. What a night, and what a great cause! I have so much respect and am grateful that we have someone like Warren in the world to do so much good and bring together so many.

	For Last Month's Concert review, click here!