Leftover Salmon, much like Railroad Earth, is a band that defies categorization. Their music is deeply rooted in a variety of genres including rock ‘n’ roll, folk, bluegrass, Cajun, soul, zydeco, jazz and blues. On the face of it, they look like a bluegrass band with Andy Thorn on the banjo and Drew Emmitt on the mandolin. But as you will see from these clips, this isn’t your grandpa’s bluegrass.

LoS hit the Park West in Chicago this past weekend on their winter tour. As they have during this tour, LoS busted out a fair amount of covers including the Grateful Dead’s “Playin’ in the Band” and “New Speedway Boogie” and Jimi Hendrix’s classic “The Wind Cries Mary.”

While ‘Playin’ was pretty straight forward for the first couple of minutes, LoS took a deep dive down a psychedelic rabbit hole and explored a trippier side of the tune.

Their cover of “The Wind Cries Mary” is also a total departure from Jimi’s. The Hendrix tune has an upbeat, march feel and is highlighted by a banjo solo and one of the nastiest electric slide mandolin solos you’ll ever see (and if there are others out there, let me know!)

“New Speedway Boogie” is the perfect tune for LoS. The swagger and swing of the timeless Dead tune is right in Leftover Salmon’s wheelhouse.

Thanks to madpicken for the awesome hd footage!