• From: Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Registered: 2010-09-17
  • Posts: 270

Topic: Evolution of Mountain Time

Hi, me again.

Here's something I've been wanting to know more about for a long time. The song India/Mountain Time from Live in Nowhere in Particular is really what got me hooked on Joe's music. It was only a while later that I heard his original version of Mountain Time on So, It's Like That. Wow, almost a completely different piece of music! Yeah the words are there and the basic musical structure, but the expression and mood is totally changed.

So, does anyone know the story of how this evolution occurred? Was it something that changed slowly over time, or did Joe (and/or one of his bandmates) one day just decide to try something different? Whose idea was it? When did they start playing it the "new" way? When did India (also its own separate song earlier on) start getting used as the intro?

Just thinking there must be some interesting story here. And that those of you here who've been following Joe for a lot longer than me (I started only last summer) might know more about this.

Mods, I wasn't sure at all which section this should be posted in, feel free to move it if this isn't the right place.

- Paul

"It's really liberating to not know you can't do something." - Stevie Ray Vaughan
My photos: http://chemicalgraphics.smugmug.com/

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2 Reply by PathMan (edited by PathMan 2011-02-02 20:40:22)

  • From: OK
  • Registered: 2010-03-27
  • Posts: 108

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

You know, I've wondered about that myself. Also wondered why Joe now sings the first verse twice rather than the entire song as originally written. I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say.

PaulyT wrote:

Hi, me again.

Here's something I've been wanting to know more about for a long time. The song India/Mountain Time from Live in Nowhere in Particular is really what got me hooked on Joe's music. It was only a while later that I heard his original version of Mountain Time on So, It's Like That. Wow, almost a completely different piece of music! Yeah the words are there and the basic musical structure, but the expression and mood is totally changed.

So, does anyone know the story of how this evolution occurred? Was it something that changed slowly over time, or did Joe (and/or one of his bandmates) one day just decide to try something different? Whose idea was it? When did they start playing it the "new" way? When did India (also its own separate song earlier on) start getting used as the intro?

Just thinking there must be some interesting story here. And that those of you here who've been following Joe for a lot longer than me (I started only last summer) might know more about this.

Mods, I wasn't sure at all which section this should be posted in, feel free to move it if this isn't the right place.

3 Reply by JBFan1 (edited by JBFan1 2011-02-02 20:44:40)

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

If you guys have the LIve at the Royal Albert Hall DVD on disc 2 there is an interview with Joe about some of the songs. He talks about Mountain Time and said he just wasn't feeling the song how it was so he re-arranged I think.

http://www.youtube.com/user/glaise96#p/u/2/OJi4tiiIaCQ its on Part 3 if anybody wants to watch.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Registered: 2010-09-17
  • Posts: 270

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Ah, thanks. I do have that (on BD wink - excellent show BTW) and I'll have to watch that interview over again, I didn't remember that he mentioned this song. Still, is there more to the story?

- Paul

"It's really liberating to not know you can't do something." - Stevie Ray Vaughan
My photos: http://chemicalgraphics.smugmug.com/

PaulyT's Website

  • RickB
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  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Not just Mountain Time. Woke Up Dreaming and Blues Deluxe seem to be works in progress as well. All three are staples of his live set, or at least have been so to date. One more facet on the gem of Joe's music. 
Rick

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6 Reply by Lee (edited by Lee 2011-02-03 00:26:40)

  • Lee
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  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

I think Joe's explanation on the RAH DVD is maybe as good as you will get as to why the song was reworked, but maybe there is a deeper reason behind it.

As to the song's timeline, I can give it a shot based on bootlegs that I have. When the song was first played live - summer of '02 or so - it was played like the original studio version. However, it wasn't that much later that the song had been reworked - by no later than early '03. At first there was no "intro", but a longer guitar solo. By mid '05 a very short intro was added (Rockpalast). The "India" style intro was added sometime mid '06 and evolved over the next 4 years. Beginning sometime last year, a bit of "Django" was used as the intro.

Hope that helps. Thanks for the excuse to dig up some of those old recordings!

  • Brack
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

PaulyT wrote:

Was it something that changed slowly over time

Everything evolves over time, nothing stays the same. You have, i think partly answered your own question. Some songs lend themselves better than others,  Mountain Time & Woke Up Dreaming to name two!  smile

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  • jim m
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

I saw it played live more like the original SILT version in Tulsa July 02 on sparkle custom Chandler Tele. It and Lie #1. By the the time I recall seeing it again was in 2003 with the extended solo no intro. Lie #1 was not played live any other time that I know of.

jim m's Website

  • From: Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Registered: 2010-09-17
  • Posts: 270

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Thanks, gents! Yeah, I agree that music and interpretation can certainly change over time. I admire Joe for letting the music flow, and not just sticking to the original because some fans expect it, or something like that.

- Paul

"It's really liberating to not know you can't do something." - Stevie Ray Vaughan
My photos: http://chemicalgraphics.smugmug.com/

PaulyT's Website

10 Reply by Bill S (edited by Bill S 2011-02-03 09:35:51)

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

PaulyT wrote:

Thanks, gents! Yeah, I agree that music and interpretation can certainly change over time. I admire Joe for letting the music flow, and not just sticking to the original because some fans expect it, or something like that.

As someone noted, lots of Joe's live songs have morphed from what the originals were. Although not on the setlist at this time, Walk in my Shadow is another good example of that. The last version Joe did (listen to Live from Nowhere in Particular) was very different from Joe's first studio cover, very different from ANDY Live.
If they have been played live for any length of time, they have changed/will change.

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"

11 Reply by Lee

  • Lee
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

jim m wrote:

I saw it played live more like the original SILT version in Tulsa July 02 on sparkle custom Chandler Tele. It and Lie #1. By the the time I recall seeing it again was in 2003 with the extended solo no intro. Lie #1 was not played live any other time that I know of.

One of my reference points was a recording from Milwaukee's Summerfest July 2002. It was done just as you describe Jim - sort of as a medley with "Sick In Love" - so it (Sick In Love) was played at least a couple times live, but absolutely a rarity. What I found also interesting was Joe threw in bits of "Dazed And Confused" into the "Sick In Love" solo.

Another song that has been reworked quite a bit is "High Water Everywhere". As we all know, the live versions on LFNIP and RAH are very different from the original "You And Me" version, although the vocal part is similar. "High Water Everywhere" was played "electric" and similar to the studio version at least once though - Borderline, London, Feb. 2006 - with a very cool "Cream" inspired solo from Joe.

  • From: Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Registered: 2010-09-17
  • Posts: 270

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Indeed. And I just gotta say, the double drums with Bogie with mallets in High Water Everywhere from RAH is completely awesome! The very best track from that concert - in my very humble opinion.  tongue

- Paul

"It's really liberating to not know you can't do something." - Stevie Ray Vaughan
My photos: http://chemicalgraphics.smugmug.com/

PaulyT's Website

  • From: Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Registered: 2010-09-17
  • Posts: 270

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Yeah, for me it was "backwards" as well - I got SILT later on, and when I first listened to it, not paying much attention to track titles, I thought when Mountain Time came on, "gee this sounds kinda familiar, but faster somehow..."

I do like seeing how his style has changed and expanded over the years; sometimes I do a "Joe day" while working (I work at home a lot) and listen to all his albums in chronological order.

And yes, I certainly have many "damn I wish I had discovered him sooner!" moments! Seems it's gettin' kinda pricey these days to go to a live show of his. Price of fame I guess, literally!

- Paul

"It's really liberating to not know you can't do something." - Stevie Ray Vaughan
My photos: http://chemicalgraphics.smugmug.com/

PaulyT's Website

  • From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Lee wrote:

I think Joe's explanation on the RAH DVD is maybe as good as you will get as to why the song was reworked, but maybe there is a deeper reason behind it.

As to the song's timeline, I can give it a shot based on bootlegs that I have. When the song was first played live - summer of '02 or so - it was played like the original studio version. However, it wasn't that much later that the song had been reworked - by no later than early '03. At first there was no "intro", but a longer guitar solo. By mid '05 a very short intro was added (Rockpalast). The "India" style intro was added sometime mid '06 and evolved over the next 4 years. Beginning sometime last year, a bit of "Django" was used as the intro.

Hope that helps. Thanks for the excuse to dig up some of those old recordings!


Lee pretty much nailed everything there in exact detail, it has indeed evolved through time with many variations, and hard to say which is the best version, did like the LFNIP version with India but the Rockpalast was and is still my fave version, The Solo is one of Joe's finest moments to me.
as said on another post the acoustic version is sweet too  cool

.............. Michael

Joe Bonamassa .......  His Greatest 3 Videos ... IMMHO   After Much Deliberation
3rd ...... Mountain Time / Rockpalast       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01xa6NMsJo
2nd ...... Sloe Gin       /  Vienna            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRASS8O8ZnE           
1st ....... Blues Deluxe / The Borderline    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnl3E_KLxYg
  • Rocket
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

I have one eye open and my brain decided to head off for the weekend as my body has a very long day laying ahead, so I'm in bed hoping iPad keys are hitting right and the memory cells fire.

I agree with Lee, it was the head turning "that's different" version as Joe was touring in between Blues Deluxe and Had To Cry Today in support of the former. That leg also included the early versions of what had already been starting to extend towards today's version of Woke Up Dreaming.  I think Django preceded India as a prelude, but it had a short tenure?!

But the original "evolving" Joe Bonamassa tune was actually Had To Cry Today. Not as dramatically and far between, but it evolved (evolves still???  hmm )!

Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

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  • Registered: 2012-05-02
  • Posts: 1

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Jane H. wrote:

Mountain Time is one song that i have a vision of another artist covering. well if you don't count me dreaming of Jimi doing pain and Sorrow.
anyway i have for a long long time wondered and wanted to hear how Mr. Eric Clapton would play Mountain Time
what a song

The only other person I've seen cover Mountain Time is Chantel McGregor, a young lady known to Joe.  There are a couple of versions on Youtube.....  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ4f4gpD … re=related

  • From: Central PA
  • Registered: 2010-04-28
  • Posts: 272

Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Seems to me "Sloe Gin" has also transformed from its original incarnation. It was more of a single on the CD, but in concert it's very dramatic, even spiritual.

18 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2012-05-03 14:35:32)

  • Rocket
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Re: Evolution of Mountain Time

Yeah Don & Jocelyn...but also;

If Heartaches Were Nickels, A New Day Yesterday, Takin' the Hit, Pain & Sorrow, I Don't Live Anywhere, Burnin' Hell, Asking Around For You, Around the Bend, Had To Cry Today (as I said, the original changeling), The River, The Ballad Of John Henry, Lonesome Road Blues, Further On Up The Road, So, It's Like That, Bird On A Wire, Slow Train, Dust Bowl....

Revision is in Joe's Bloodline!  Predication on predictable unpredictability!  Another reason to go WOW about Joe...he gathers
little moss...

Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

ps-I haven't been as ga ga over Mountain Time over time as most, especially not as moved as others emotionally regarding shedding the tears part (not to say I don't personally find a deep emotional contextual vibe present within any iteration including the original stripped down version of the song), but Joe's version on the the Joe Bonamassa Beacon Theatre - Live From New York DVD's absolutely blows me away as the best ever rendition, and ascended it to the stupifyingly [sic] Great Song status amongst his very best to me, forever.

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”