Various Artists Live From Bonnaroo 2003 (EMI/Sanctuary) Rating: NNNN
Rating: NNNN
Who would have thought a couple of years ago that a gathering in the small town of Manchester, Tennessee, based around jam bands would become the premier festival in North America and possibly the world? The sheer strength of the lineup and the track listing on the two-disc set make for a great listen from beginning to end. Maybe you’ve never heard of Bonnaroo, but look who showed up: Widespread Panic, James Brown, Ben Harper, the Roots, Martin, Medeski & Wood, Emmylou Harris, the Dead, Jack Johnson, the Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, Sonic Youth, Jason Mraz, Ben Kweller and Polyphonic Spree among others. With a set this good, it’s only a matter of time before the whole world knows that Bonnaroo is Cajun slang for “good time.”
