Roosevelt Collier & Andy Thorn perform ‘Skunk Mountain Breakdown’

Roosevelt Collier & Andy Thorn perform ‘Skunk Mountain Breakdown’

We knew we were in for a treat when Roosevelt Collier and Andy Thorn agreed on short notice to visit the Garage. But we realized the session was going to be something special when they sat down and, right there in front of us, in about 15 minutes, worked out three songs to play for us. We hedge when we say songs, because they were really just nameless frameworks for what Collier and Thorn do best: jam.

And, wow, can they jam. Some of the top names in music have long known Collier’s prowess on pedal steel and lap steel. He’s played with the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Funky Meters and dozens of other national acts. Thorn plays banjo with Leftover Salmon. He was one of the Colorado musicians who joined Collier onstage as part of Collier’s three-show “Colorado Get Down” at the Fox Theatre in Boulder and Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver.

At our prodding, the two did come up with names to their written-to-order songs, and they show Collier, who’s from Miami, feeling the Colorado spirit — “Skunk Mountain Breakdown,” “Altitude Sickness” and “Fiddlin’ Around.” And Quentin’s interview with the pair was just as jam-tastic.

What they brought us: Stickers and a cool koozie.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session. Sign up here.