#jacob joliff

[krispyweiss]

Changes Over Yonder for Mountain String Band

Mandolin player Jacob Joliff is leaving Yonder Mountain String Band at year’s end and will be replaced, apparently temporarily, by multi-instrumentalist Nick Piccininni, “who will be touring with us this winter,” the band said on Facebook.

Piccininni, formerly of Floodwood, seemed to acknowledge the transitory nature of his new gig, saying simply: “This winter is going to be sweet.”

Yonder Mountain String Band has concerts booked through July 2020; Joliff will play the band’s New Year’s run in Colorado with Piccininni joining Jan. 6, 2020, in Utah.

“This comes to you as a deeply considered decision,” YMSB wrote. “We are grateful for the music, the memories and friendship we forged with Jake and are in full support of his future endeavors with the Jacob Jolliff Band.

“We hope to join forces with them down the road.”

Joliff called his five-plus years with Yonder “such a pleasure,” thanked its fans “for supporting me as part of the group,” which he joined in 2014 after Jeff Austin’s departure, and wished his soon-to-be-former bandmates Dave Johnston, Allie Kral, Ben Kaufmann and Adam Aijala well.

“I know they’ll have many more great years of touring,” he wrote on Facebook.

Austin, 45, died earlier this year.

12/17/19

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Yonder Mountain String Band - “Werewolves of London” (Live, Oct. 31, 2017)

Sporting kabuki makeup and donning a musical mask as well, Yonder Mountain String Band treated kinfolk to its take on “Werewolves of London” for Halloween.

Sticking close to Warren Zevon’s arrangement, YMSB nevertheless made the song its own with tasty fiddle, banjo and mandolin solos and a main character who prefers beef lo mein to chow mein and is hairy all over - not just on his hands. 

Still - that hair was perfect.

“Werewolves of London” is a simple tune that’s been played nearly to death on radio and covered by so many bands it’s a big task to make new versions interesting. Yonder Mountain succeeded in that trick, making its rendition a treat.

Grade card: Yonder Mountain String Band - “Werewolves of London” (Live - 10/31/17) - B+

11/12/17

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Pat Ferguson feat. Jacob Joliff - “The Night (The Temptress)”

With lo-fi production, a loose arrangement and an oft-recycled bluegrass melody, Pat Ferguson’s first solo release sounds more like a demo than a calling card.

Ferguson, late of the Smokin’ Bandits, teams with Yonder Mountain String Band’s mandolinist Jacob Joliff on “The Night (The Temptress),” the initial single from Light Of Day / Dark Of Night. At five minutes, it leaves plenty of room for Joliff and an unnamed fiddler to strut their stringed stuff on a number that sounds embryonic even in its final form.

The wind, she blows me freely/the spirit, she moves me sweetly/I try to move to her completely/and I know which will prevail, Ferguson sings on the refrain.

Out April 27, Light Of Day / Dark Of Night also features guest slots from members of Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Kyle Keegan (Mandolin Orange), Kenny Leiser (WheelHouse), Chad Staehly (Hard Working Americans, Great American Taxi) and Sarah Vos (Dead Horses).

Its title notwithstanding, Light Of Day / Dark Of Night is “not about the division between joy and pain,” Ferguson said in a statement.

”It’s about a collective experience that has made me who I am today.”

Grade card: Pat Ferguson feat. Jacob Joliff - “The Night (The Temptress)” - C

3/21/18