Yonder Mountain String Band play to a wet crowd

Yonder Mountain String Band are best heard when the sun is shining bright.  I have fond memories of listening to these guys while traveling down the highway with my sunglasses on, the windows down, and the sun beating bright and warm.  But on Saturday, August 15th there was no need for sunglasses.  A rain coat would have been a better accessory as Yonder Mountain String Band were back at the Weesner Amphitheatre at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, MN playing to a sold-out crowd.

With rain showers threatening, the band got an early start at 7:30PM.  It wasn’t but a few minutes before the first light rain came but it was gone soon enough leaving the sold-out crowd who finally packed the small gem of a venue wet.  The first set was full of new songs from their upcoming album, The Show, which is due for release on September 1st.  Even with new songs being played by one of the best bluegrass bands around, the weather was a distraction and it continued to be all night as evident by the relatively motionless crowd.

The band took a set break and when they returned singing and mandolin playing, Jeff Austin, said they would play as long as they could.  They played a new and currently untitled instrumental track written by banjo-playing, Dave Johnston, then bassist Ben Kaufman got things moving with an awesome “Traffic Jam” medley.  Later Jeff Austin, ripped through another oldie-but-goodie, “Ramblin’ in the Rambler” and the rains returned.  The skies had an ominous darkness as Ben Kaufman played the beautiful slow song, “River”.  That song is incredible!  The band was playing “If You’re Ever in Oklahoma” when lightning flashed in the skies behind the stage and that is where the show stopped.

The band promised to come back if they could, but we knew better and barely made it past the top of the small amphitheatre when the rains really came down.  Sheets of rain poured while thunder shook the zoo.  It was an eventful evening and fun nonetheless, but it could have been much better had the weather cooperated.  Better luck next time I suppose.

Yonder Mountain String Band – Weesner Ampitheater at Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley, MN – August 15th, 2009

(I do not think this is the correct order…taken from phantasy tour)

Set I:
Going Where They Do Not Know My Name
Ain’t Been Myself In Years>
Let Me Fall
Jail Son
I’d Like Off>
Up On The Hill Where They Do The Boogie
You’re No Good
All Your Dreams
Traffic Jam>
I Am The Slime>
Traffic Jam

Set II:
Ramblin’ in the Rambler>
My Gal>
My Sisters and Brothers>
Ramblin’ in the Rambler
New song (no name given)
Long Time
This Lonesome Heart
River
If You’re Ever In Oklahoma 1

1 show ends due to rain