Live Review: Mountain Heart at The Melting Point
Talking with Josh (lead singer) and Jason (bassist) before the show, I’d admitted that I hadn’t heard of Mountain Heart before I got this assignment. I didn’t get the sense they were offended (you can’t win over new fans if everyone already knows you, right?), so they did their best to prepare me for what I was about to witness. The conversation started with bluegrass, of course, but they made references to southern rock, blues, Allman Brothers, AC/DC…what the hell? After my second beer, I got the notion that fitting into a category was not their concern. All I needed to know was that, in Josh’s words, “We kick ass.” Not only was he dead-on, they did it for no less than 90 minutes, and from the standing ovation of the packed house, we all were hoping for another 90 more. The only problem I found watching Mountain Heart’s show—and it was an acceptable problem—was that I didn’t know who to watch! Every band member is a virtuoso in his own right. It’s not like going to a Van Halen show, for example, where the only things people really want to see are Eddie’s solos. Now imagine six Eddies on stage, all with different instruments. It’s nothing short of …well, kick ass. One factor that immediately stood out was Josh’s voice. Before the show, I thought I was in for another monotonous, nasal-backed vocalist transported from a 1953 AM radio station. Josh, though, proved to be an incredibly diverse singer whose voice alone tapped into the country, rock-n-roll, country-rock, and blues music fan in me and everyone else within earshot of the Melting Point that night. Also, I believe that a band can create an identity with their own songs, but their true personality and originality (or lack thereof) can be found in their cover songs. Who would expect a fully acoustic band—sans percussion—to cover AC/DC’s “Back in Black?” Bluegrass was the last word that came to mind. Then after a funk-grass version of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” it finally hit me. These guys just love playing music, period, and it’s that drive to play music, not play an audience, which bridges the demographics and connects with people. (And when you receive a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry, you know you’ve done just that. In spades.) If you haven’t had the opportunity to stand up for them, keep up with their literal coast-to-coast tour schedule at their YouTube channel or MountainHeart.com , including a Feb. 28 date at Wintergrass in Bellevue, WA and a May 27-28 appearance at Del McCoury’s notable DelFest in Cumberland, MD. If the fates don’t allow you to make a MH show, though, fret not. They are diligently working on a new studio project to be released later this year. In that respect, Mountain Heart is in a unique position. Usually, I hope for a band’s live show to match my expectations from their studio albums. With Mountain Heart, it’s the other way around.
-Phil Pyle
Be sure to check out the Feb. 26 issue of Blur for live shots from this show!
WOW………..YOU GOT IT RIGHT, THE FIRST TIME!!!!
Congratulations, you now have Mountain Heart fever, there is no cure.
They are truly a multi-talented, energetic butt kickin’ band……I have been watching these guys for a long time and have seen their show many times…..I have never been bored watching a Mountain Heart show. I am usually exhausted though when it’s over…..they wear me out, in a good way. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words for a band teetering on the edge of greatness…..
MH are the best. They rock the Ark in Ann Arbor and you captured the essence of this fantastic band very well. I’m just glad I got to see them multiple time before they start selling out huge venues and I’m stuck in the nosebleed seats.
Thanks for the great review. Glad you enjoyed them.
These guys connect because they are real, very proud of their talent but really working as hard as they can so you will like what they do. They are not expecting you will bow down to their style (whatever that might be).
Have seen them twice in a 480 seat venue with outstanding acceptance here in rural SC by a largely older crowd. And, had the great privilege of attending a concert by just Josh and Jim (violin) at a private home here with 40 people in a very nice acoustic setting.
They are the real deal. My wife brings a novel in her purse to many of the concerts I make her go to. It never comes out at a MH concert.
Thanks for the great time and especially the great review my friend! We have several cities across the country that we LOVE to come to and Athens is quickly making it’s way to the top of the list! You guys rock and we had a blast.
Josh
http://www.joshshilling.com
We have had Mountain Heart at the Walhalla Civic Auditorium twice, and we have just agreed to two more shows this year. This is one fantastic band and the crowd has the best time at their concerts. We have had big crowds and once the students from nearby Clemson find out about them, we will have turn away crowds.
I have their live CD from the Ark in Michigan. I think I could take it out of my car CD player and it would play from memory. Great band and a great bunch of guys.
I had the pleasure of bringing in this band for a fundraiser last fall, and I proudly introduced them as the most talented band on this planet… from your review, I think you’d agree! No one can compare! Also, they’re as friendly off stage as they are on! Great bunch of guys!
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