There Is a Mountain
Encyclopedia
"There is a Mountain" is a song and single by Donovan
, released in 1967. It charted in the USA (Billboard: #11) and UK (#8).
Featured musicians are Donovan (vocals and acoustic guitar), Tony Carr on percussion, Harold McNair
on flute and arrangement and Danny Thompson
on bass.
Chart positions:# 11 (USA Billboard), # 9 (USA Cashbox), # 11 (USA Record World), # 8 (UK)
The Allman Brothers Band
's "Mountain Jam
" (from Eat a Peach
, 1972) is a long, improvised jam song based on this song.
The Allman Brothers were inspired to improvise on "There is a Mountain" after hearing the Grateful Dead jam on the song's main riff. The Dead can be heard quoting a few bars of "There is a Mountain" in their song "Alligator," from the Dead's Anthem of the Sun
album, released in 1968. An example of the Dead jamming live on the "There is a Mountain" riff can be heard at the 4:53 mark on the version of "Alligator" they performed at their Aug. 21, 1968 show at the Fillmore West. The song was also covered by Dandy Livingstone on his album Rocksteady with Dandy (1967, Giant)
The lyrics refer to a Buddhist saying originally formulated by Qingyuan Weixin, later translated by D.T. Suzuki in his Essays in Zen Buddhism, one of the first books to popularize Buddhism in Europe and the US. Qingyuan writes
Kenny Loggins
covered the tune in 2009 with his youngest daughter Hana on his album All Join In
.
Donovan
Donovan Donovan Donovan (born Donovan Philips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist. Emerging from the British folk scene, he developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia, and world music...
, released in 1967. It charted in the USA (Billboard: #11) and UK (#8).
Featured musicians are Donovan (vocals and acoustic guitar), Tony Carr on percussion, Harold McNair
Harold McNair
Harold McNair was a renowned saxophonist and flautist.-Background:...
on flute and arrangement and Danny Thompson
Danny Thompson
Daniel Henry Edward 'Danny' Thompson is an English multi-instrumentalist best known as a double bassist and businessman...
on bass.
Chart positions:
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
's "Mountain Jam
Mountain Jam
"Mountain Jam" is an improvised instrumental jam by The Allman Brothers Band. The song's first known recording is on 5-4-1969 at Macon Central Park, but was officially released later on the albums; Live at Ludlow Garage: 1970, Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival: July 3 & 5, 1970, The...
" (from Eat a Peach
Eat a Peach
Eat a Peach is a 1972 double album by the American Southern rock group The Allman Brothers Band; it was the last to include founding member and lead slide-guitar player Duane Allman, who was killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971 while the album was being recorded.-History:This album...
, 1972) is a long, improvised jam song based on this song.
The Allman Brothers were inspired to improvise on "There is a Mountain" after hearing the Grateful Dead jam on the song's main riff. The Dead can be heard quoting a few bars of "There is a Mountain" in their song "Alligator," from the Dead's Anthem of the Sun
Anthem of the Sun
Anthem of the Sun is the second studio album by the Grateful Dead, released in 1968. It is the first album to feature second drummer Mickey Hart, who joined the band in September 1967...
album, released in 1968. An example of the Dead jamming live on the "There is a Mountain" riff can be heard at the 4:53 mark on the version of "Alligator" they performed at their Aug. 21, 1968 show at the Fillmore West. The song was also covered by Dandy Livingstone on his album Rocksteady with Dandy (1967, Giant)
The lyrics refer to a Buddhist saying originally formulated by Qingyuan Weixin, later translated by D.T. Suzuki in his Essays in Zen Buddhism, one of the first books to popularize Buddhism in Europe and the US. Qingyuan writes
Before I had studied Chan (Zen) for thirty years, I saw mountains as mountains, and rivers as rivers. When I arrived at a more intimate knowledge, I came to the point where I saw that mountains are not mountains, and rivers are not rivers. But now that I have got its very substance I am at rest. For it's just that I see mountains once again as mountains, and rivers once again as rivers.
Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins
During the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
covered the tune in 2009 with his youngest daughter Hana on his album All Join In
All Join In
All Join In is the thirteenth studio album and third childrens album by Kenny Loggins.The first Kenny Loggins childrens album to be released by Walt Disney Records in 2009.His previous childrens albums Return to Pooh Corner was released by Columbia Records/Sony Wonder and More Songs From Pooh...
.