If you remember the alt-country “explosion” of the mid-1990s, then you probably recall the twangy swamp pop of Misissippi’s Blue Mountain. Maybe you saw the band open for Son Volt at the Sons of Hermann Hall back in ’95 (where the group actually fulfilled a request for “Freebird”) or, perhaps, you caught Blue Mountain opening for Wilco (bassist Laurie Stirratt is the twin sister of Wilco bassist John Stirratt).
Sure, Blue Mountain never reached the artistic heights of Farrars and Tweedys, but singer Cary Hudson, Stirratt and drummer Frank Coutch created notable work including their biggest hit “Blue Canoe” (“Too many people, too many cars/too many nights in too many bars/My noggin’s getting soggy and my spirits are saggin’/time to take a ride in my blue water wagon”) before breaking up in 2001.
So, those looking for an y’allternative fix, and that $38 Wilco ticket is looking a little steep -- Wilco’s not gonna play “Box Full of Letters” anyway, dude -- we have some good news for you: Blue Mountain is back in business, and the reunion train stops at the Granada this weekend.
On a bittersweet note, the show will also serve as a 30th birthday party of sorts for Cary Hudson manager Carrie Garcia, who also manages Sorta. We’re sure many of you could stand to blow off some steam after everything that’s happened this week, and with both the Drams and the Theater Fire opening, you have no excuse not to join her. The show starts at 8 p.m. We’ll see you there. -- Noah W. Bailey
