This site documents the collective works of the little-known legendary musician, JT NewMountain.
JT NewMountain (circa 1968 to 2000+) is (was?) a reclusive artist who has had few recordings in the realm of public awareness. But, thanks to exhaustive internet searches we are able to gradually discover and restore the collective works of this visionary artist. As we find them and restore them to their original quality, we will post them here. You can listen to the works by clicking on the listening station below.
Oddly enough, the first song that we found in our search was "The Dead Songwriter Blues." It is unclear if this was actually JT NewMountain's last composition, or if it was a dream that inspired the birth of his musical career. In either case, the works are at the same time both unusual and inspiring. Check back as we continue to chronical the multi-faceted muscial career of JT NewMountain.
His first song, or his last? We can't determine. There is no way to carbon-date sound. We did find two versions of the song and have pieced them together here with a rare narrative from JT himself.
The blues harp on the extended recording is believed to be that of JT himself. The drums and bass are most likely manned by JT's garage band-mates T "Sticks" Johnson and Helmer "Stretch" Swanberg (aka Slim Dickinson).
Drug-induced? No. We have never been able to determine that JT used any mind-altering substances (other than an occasional Ale during his UK travels). "The Groove" that he talks about in this performance piece was entirely sound-based.
It is thought that the trumpet performance on this work is that of AA DamRocket - a long-time friend and collaborator. Once again, "Sticks" and "Stretch" make an appearance on this recording.
In the early 1960s, NewMountain arranged a tour of French bistros equipped with his bass player, a newly acquired concertina and what appears to be a rudimentary understanding of high school-level French.
We sifted through the only vinyl disk we were able to find (which was apparently recorded on a small tape recorder) in the hopes of finding a section without the constant heckles and jeers of an unappreciative French audience. What is posted is the best of the bunch - it was the last track on the record (which contained only three songs). We're sorry for the quality, but, we feel that this was not JT NewMountain's best work, nor his finest hour. In fact, we found out that JT slipped into a deep depression following his tour of France - which eventually led to his Blues period.
JT NewMountain, during his brief exploration of Country music, released his hit single "The Gambler." Seven years later Kenny Rogers released his own version of "The Gambler" as the title track of his 1978 album release - which was followed by a movie of the same name.
Although there is absolutely no similarity between the two songs, one can't help but wonder if Kenny Rogers wasn't "inspired" or otherwise influenced by the visionary JT NewMountain.
The sensitive ear will notice that JT's voice is much clearer, less-gravely on this song. That's due, in part, to a year of vocal rest prior to the recording session, but more likely because the recording engineer on the project thought it best to run JT's voice through a series of filters to acheive a "more marketable" sound.
During one period of vocal rest (2001), JT launched his career as a mime. Claiming to have studied with the world-renowned Marcel Marceau (in reality, it was Marcel's pool boy, Jacques), JT managed to book some impressive performance venues with his little five minute act. He opened up for several rock bands including The Arrowsmiths (not to be confused with Aerosmith).
The most notable of his mime performances was a National Public Radio program, "Have You Heard This?" An unusual venue for a mime yes, but with the help of his personal mime instructor and narrator the nation was exposed to an absolutely unbelievable performance.
We are appreciative of NPR archives and audience services for providing us with the four minute clip from the "Have You Heard This?" episode that featured JT NewMountain's performance. The audio is posted in our listening area. Click on "NPR - Radio Mime."
JT NewMountain was an unlikely Carpenters fan, never-the-less, he held the brother/sister duo in high regard. In 1973, as a gift to his fans, he produced a six-minute extended play single titled, "Love, look at the two of them" - a medley of five of his favorite Carpenters songs.
In this medley you will hear the unmistakable influence of Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Durante in JT's vocals. It was in this extended play single that JT also did experimental spoken word over music which was used extensively in subsequent years by William Shatner.
To hear the Carpenter's medley in its entirety, click the listening area above and choose track 6.
© The JT NewMountain Performance Art Preservation Society / Octane Creative.
The research and preservation of JT NewMountain's collective works is funded purely by donation. Your contribution of any amount to continue this important work is appreciated.
Thank you!
A mercifully brief JT NewMountain music video: "The Tape Song"
click on the image on the left to view
