AMG Review of Bonnaroo Music Festival 2004

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

Certainly this document from the annual ~Bonnaroo Music Festival is the best one in the series so far. The fest's ability to draw bigger names and rock legends to the annual mix lends depth and weight to this compilation, but so does the organizer's programming of more adventurous music than in previous years. This two-disc collection opens with Bob Dylan, performing a rocking version of "Down Along the Cove." As if to showcase the two ends of the continuum, the CD producers sequenced Dave Matthews and "Friends"' "Trouble" immediately after, which may really be a bad thing for Matthews since the Dylan track is so rock & roll hot. Other legends performing are the Dead, Steve Winwood -- who does a wonderful "Dear Mr. Fantasy," -- and David Byrne. Of course Gov't Mule is here, as are moe., Trey Anastasio, Primus, and String Cheese Incident. But so are Gillian Welch, Ani Difranco, Beth Orton, the Bad Plus, Gomez, Damien Rice, the Black Keys, Ween, and My Morning Jacket. The sound quality on both discs is consistently high, and most of these performances are inspired. As far as live festival comps go, this is one is a cut above most.