A concert & art exhibit revolving around 300 year old art of playing music on a carpenter’s handsaw will take place on Saturday, August 7th, 2010, 2pm.
The art form of making music with a carpenter’s handsaw has been around for 300 years. For the past 8 years, Astoria, Queens has become a pilgrimage spot for musical saw players from all over the world. Last year, the festival got into the Guinness Book of Records for the ‘Largest Musical Saw Ensemble’ with 53 players playing together, beating the previous record from Poland (28 saw players).
2010 Musical Saw Festival
This years festival includes world premiers of music written especially for the musical saw to including a piece written for a trio debut. As well, the Chorus of the Saws – all the musical saw players playing together.
There will also be musical saw solos & ensembles, performing many music styles to include jazz, classical, pop, folk, show-tunes and more. All to to be performed by musical saw players from all over the world.
Finally, ‘Ameriklectic’ – a 10-piece jazz band featuring the musical saw of Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz, as the lead instrument will be debuted.
I woke up around 11am, not necessarily wanting to get out of bed but knowing I had a day of music to fully ingest. Right off the bat, I wake up, shower, and try to gather the troops. The worst possible gathering movement ever. Recovery was still in progress. So, I sat on the porch, letting the sun hit my face. I could hear Zach Deputy on the stage and I knew that it was time to start the day. Eventually, the two and four legged animals from the house were moving towards Zach‘s cheery voice.
THE ONE MAN BAND OF AWESOME!!! What can I say about him that I haven’t already said 100 times over in previous reviews. Sadly I had arrived towards the end of his set but not before seeing Zach bring us the sun. Plain and simple. Utilizing his feet, hands, breath, hair, whatever…he manipulates all the gadgets on stage, all the instruments, the whole time piecing together a musical puzzle with the end result in making us smile so wide…literally calling out the sun. And it worked as he played Sunshine. Zach‘s beaming smile beamed down on us as bright as the sun did at that moment.
Banana Mafia @ Mountain Jam
What a wonderful way to start the day. This was good wake up music. Not a lot of fan fare, not too loud. Just one guy, his voice, and his imagination. Slightly soothing for those recovering and just upbeat enough for those wanting to get the dance party started. It was real cool to watch/listen Zach from far away. It totally didn’t sound like one person was making all that fun time sound. I laid on the blanket, gathering my mind.
Set : Butter You Up, Most People Never Heard Real Music, Lincoln Continental, Coconut, Chicken Pot Pie, Tubesteak, Little Bit of You, Freedom Out There, Make It Right, Jump Into The Water, Into the Morning Into The Night, Sunshine, Real
I stepped closer for a few pictures and as I turned around to head back up the mountain to relax with the Karma Wash, I spot my Banana Mafia friend. He just totally cracks me up and makes me smile. I love his energy and his ability to rage full face at any minute. We share similar taste in socks too. 🙂
During Zach Deputy, friends from all over had gathered at the Karma Wash for our good mornings, daily karma scrubbing, hugs and getting our daily plans straight. Seeing how well rested and clean we were, a few friends took off to our house to utilize the showers. And then it was time for the London Souls, a New York City based band, to rock our socks off.
It was SO HOT! I was in a bikini and running shorts and I was still super hot. I started The London Souls set dancing alone. It didn’t take long for my buddies to hear the music and start appearing from various sides of the mountain. I love my festival friends because the hugs and dancing once again commenced.
Rocking their shades and their poofy, out of control hair, the London Souls changed my opinion of them right on the spot. I have always had my reservations about them since being introduced to them during Soulive‘s Bowlive run at Brooklyn Bowl. They wail but I always felt like they were screaming at me with their instruments when they played and for me that isn’t how I like to enjoy my music. But now, I have figured out why it was overwhelming me. By pulling away from the front of the stage and being able to watch them from a distance, the sound was raging but still softer and magnificent. I was able to distinguish the sounds from all three players. They really killed it. They truly are rock-and-roll ragers.
They also caught my ear with a song that rang: “Are you going to let your man push you around. You better stand up.” Uplifting lyrics. I love lyrics that empower women.
“Our songs are usually inspired by any kind of conflict,” says Kiyoshi. “While they all mean something different, lots of our songs are about girls!”
The London Souls View from Karma Wash
The London Souls screamed like Van Halen and WAILED! I got locked into to Tash’s insane vocals and shredding of his guitar. The stand out of the band, in my opinion. Clearly, I do enjoy being FAR away from this band and listening rather then up front being raged at. Probably one of the first times ever that this scenario has arisen.
The last song revolved around there being a “text-in” vote for a cover song that they were to perform at Mountain Jam. The choice was AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll)! Seriously, every time I walk away from their sets, I am more and more impressed with their Jimi Hendrix style antics and full bodied rage. Kickass LS!
Patterson Hood ~ Lyrics, vocals, guitar Mike Cooley ~ Guitar, vocals, bass Shonna Tucker ~Bass, vocals, guitar Brad Morgan ~ drums John Neff ~ Pedal steel guitar Jay Gonzalez ~Keys
Patterson Hood @ Mountain Jam
Even though the Drive By Truckers are considered ragers by many people, in my opinion, they were a much more mellow change in music after The London Souls. They started off with a song all about a good night of drinking called The Fourth Night Of My Drinking. I figured they would just rage my face off with a song like that but the Drive By Truckers are hit or miss with me. They border on a rocky country vibe and that is hard for me to love. But the main reason is that the lead singer, Patterson Hood, has wretched voice. I mean, I know his father is famous and all but that doesn’t mean it runs in the family all the time. Sometimes Hood truly CAN NOT sing.
The Drive By Truckers @ Mountain Jam
John Neff @ Mountain Jam
I have sobered up considerably in the past few years and I am finding that bands I used to think sounded great really don’t sound all that hot. I was listening to the recording from Levon Helm’s Birthday set and it sounds horrible when Hood sings his part. Now, from a rager’s stand point he is awesome I suppose. He can down a 5th of whiskey and still rage it on stage, though, not always in key, pitch or tone. I rage, but no longer like him so alas, I guess that just standing and remembering the lyrics used to count for something to me. Absolutely not good enough anymore.
FestivalFamily.com interviews The Karma Wash
The 5th song, Santa Fe, totally caught my ear. It was here that Patterson Hood wished for Simone Felice to get better as he had recently fallen ill. It was a pretty rad song but the vocals are still a little shot. The band is ok if Hood just doesn’t sing. It was also here that I took shots of a darling little family enjoying the Karma Wash. As well, I noticed photographer Michael Patrick shooting & interviewing the Karma Wash. It turned out he was covering Mountain Jam for FestivalFamily.com. The Karma Wash is LEGIT!!!
Festivals = Fun for all ages
David Hood, Patterson Hood’s bass-playing father, came out and joined the Truckers for Respect Yourself and I enjoyed David immensely. However, during Mercy’s Bucket and I decided I had had enough. There was no comparison to the raging between Patterson Hood and Tash from the London Souls. The London Souls brought us a face melting rage and Drive By Truckers brought the vibe down for me rather unexpectedly. But, in less then 30 minutes, we would be dropped a funk bomb by Lettuce who was about to rage on the West Stage at 3:30pm! OMG it was about to be SO ON!!
Set List: The Fourth Night Of My Drinking, Three Dimes Down, The Living Bubba, Carl Perkins Cadillac, Santa Fe, Birthday Boy, Sink Hole, Uncle Frank, Respect Yourself *, Mercy Buckets, Get Downtown, (It’s Gonna Be) I Told You So, Lookout Mountain, Zip City,Let There Be Rock
I was right up front on the gate ready to dance my tiny ragin’ ass off to Lettuce!! They are a die-hard favorite group of mine and it was time to FEEL the FUNK. Lettuce flew right into Blast Off, with Krasnoteasing his guitar before Deitch counted off into the FUNKY FUNK!!!
Jesus Coomes @ Mountain Jam
This was the first time I had ever seen Jesus Coomes (bass). I had heard so much about him and was thrilled to finally be able to hear him wail live. On his Yamaha 6-String (I think), Jesus truly does just bring it home. He feels the music and , man, you can see it. Having researched him heavily before seeing him, Coomes has dipped his talented fingers into all genres of music and has an ear for the bass and production that has allowed him to thrive in the music industry.
Adam Deitch @ Mountain Jam
The second song was a personal favorite and the crowd went wild as Sam Huff’s Flying Ragin’ Machine raged the horns up to the highest points of the mountain where people could be seen dancing their asses off. I encourage you all to just go buy Lettuce‘s Rage cd right now. And I will let Jesus tell you why:
We named the CD Rage! because it’s a state of mind. I don’t mean getting messed up, I mean opening up your whole soul to God and feeling the spirit move. ~ Jesus Coomes. (Amen Jesus, Amen!)
Lettuce @ Mountain Jam
Neal Evans @ Mountain Jam
Kofi Burbridge joined in on The Last Suppit. Adam Deitch stood out on drums as he smashed the rage out of his kit. Krasno then introduced the group on stage. Neal Evans raged the MOOG synth bass and tappin his feet to bring in the familiar tune, Kings of the Burgs. A few minutes in and the horns join! Sam Kiningerand Ryan Zoidisblasted their way in and out of the song as Kofi fluttered his flute into the mix.
Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi & Nigel Hall join Lettuce @ Mountain Jam
Half way through the song the crowd screams as I see Derek Trucks plugging in. Krasno shouted, “We got a couple more people we got to bring up here, man. There’s just some heavy shit going on around here.” Oteil Burbridge and Nigel Hall joined the stage to complete a full round power house of talent and rage. “Mountain Jam, Where ya at?” scream Nigel and they fly into Move On Up…(like Susan Tedeschi told you to). Now, it goes from good to GREAT!
Oteil Burbridge, Derek Trucks and Eric Krasno @ Mountain Jam
With Nigel Hall on vocals and Susan Tedeschi backing him on the chorus, Move On Up closed the funkified set. Oteil Burbridge took a solo and scatted on the bass. Deitch backing on the drums was perfection. Kofi fluttered behind his brother, Oteil. Finally, Derek raged a solo before Nigel sang the last verse adding his signature scream. FULL FREAKING FUNKING RAGE! I had been fully melted into a puddle of happy.
“Every festival always needs a banjo!” shouts Jeff Austin (I think) and again, the sound over the mountain shifted into an entirely different vibe, an entirely different musical world. It is always nice to hear Jeff Austin play his banjo. He is just amazing even though he sometimes overpowers and over solos. But still, one of the best in my opinion.
Warren Haynes and Jeff Austin @ MJ ~ Photo by Doug Potoksky
The rain came during YMSB but we didn’t move. They continued to play and we continued to dance. It was almost fitting, to be dancing in the rain, with our shoes off, dancing like hillbillies on a mountain. I love that I could rage with a funk band less than one hour earlier and now was LOVING the Bluegrass vibe. There are so many people who just can’t understand it. Like Fusion, they just don’t get it, they can’t wrap their heads around the sound, around the simple yet complicated way the notes are put together. During the last song, Death Trip, Warren Haynes came out and assisted YMSB in playing one hell of a closing for their set.
Set List: If You’re Ever In Oklahoma, Don’t You Lean On Me, Rain Still Falls, How Bout You?, Steep Grade Sharp Curves, Casualty, Fingerprint>, Boatman, Idaho, Irondale, Blue Collar Blues, Snow On The Pines>, Death Trip
During Dave Mason‘s set, my buddy and I decided to check out the lovely art installations at the top of the mountain. Mountain Jam invited John (?) and Cappy Franti (Michael Franti’s son) from San Fransisco, as well as other artists, to create interactive works of art.
Art Installation @ Mountain Jam
The installations began at the start of the festival and the creativity flowed throughout the three days. The end result being three pieces of interactive art work that created seating, beauty and imagination. The collective artists inserted their visions through a spray paint medium (I think) onto the structures. They were really gorgeous to look at.
Passed out Wook!! @ Mountain Jam
Wookies were sprawled out all over the wooden structures. Passed out or just relaxing watching the intense scene of people down the mountain. Parents and their children were utilizing the space to save their children’s eardrums as the parents sat there without their own ear-protectors on. I always wear earplugs, especially while up front at festivals. But just look at the scene from where Murray and I sat and listened to Dave Mason and make new friends. GORGEOUS!
The only thing I knew about Dave Mason was that he is an old member of Traffic. As soon as I was told that, the song Feelin’ Alright popped in my head. It was the only one I could recall and at some point in the set, he played it. Woot! I didn’t really pay attention to Dave because I was raging all over the art installations with Murray, making new friends (Hi Carsten!) and getting lost inside the art maze. We had WAAAAY to much fun in there posing for pictures, enjoying the colors and shapes. Simple pleasures, but our minds sets were prepared for exactly what we were doing. From time to time, I would hear some intense raging coming from the stage. As we left the Maze, I entered an entire dancing mountain.
Everyone had recovered and the evening’s party had commenced. We hung out with our new friends for the rest of the set and knew that next time, I would sit and really pay attention to Dave Mason. He was amazing from what I heard and I wish I had heard more. And then front the top of the mountain, I heard Susan’s voice and flew past Murry to the front of the stage so fast that she hadn’t even hit the chorus of the song by the time I got to the center front. My second favorite group of the day was about to bring it.
The Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band @ Mountain Jam
I had been waiting for this moment ALL YEAR!!! I wasn’t able to go to Wanne Music Festival and they had yet to come to New York City. This was a BIG deal to me. Susan Tedeschi is my #1 favorite southern soul singer. A singer who has touched my life in ways that no one would ever understand. Then you have Derek Trucks, just the greatest guitarist on the planet. He too lifts my soul up when it’s on the ground. In my Top 3 List for favorite living guitarists hands down. Tyler Greenwell and Duane Trucks are out of this world. The Burbridge Brothers, well, they just wail. And, well, download the set or go see them! If I was loaded like Donald Trump, I would pay to have this band play for me once a day. Probably every morning, to wake me up with a soulful smile!
The Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band @ Mountain Jam
Derek Trucks @ Mountain Jam
Love Has Something To Say started their set with Susan bringing me her soulful voice immediately. That voice. It hits your guts. I feel a change in my mind and body WHENEVER her voice hits me. I am not a fan, I am a freak. LOL!! It’s so weird how she does that to me. Then Mike Mattison sang out a chorus as well and I was thrown back to college when I first heard that scratchy voice. Finally, Nigel Hall rang out a bit and the group gathered back into a collective after a Derek solo.
Susan Tedeschi @ Mountain Jam
I thought that song would be the song that started off the energy curve that would continue to rise with each song but Midnight in Harlem slowed the vibe down considerably. Nothing wrong with that. They had the mountain swaying in unison. Even with it being a calm song, Derek made his guitar softly rage into his solo…making my face tighten, my eyes close and my head thrown back feeling like my body would melt into the earth as I swayed.
Oteil, Susan & Derek @ Mountain Jam
Otiel Burbridge @ Mountain Jam
Susan’s voice was yet again showcased through Love Was All In My Mind but it was her guitar playing that made me scream here.Not as good as her husband but one HELL OF A RAGER!! It made me wonder if they sit together and just jam out in their living room while their kids run around playing. How wonderful. There was deliciously cute banter between Susan and Oteil. There is friendship and love within those glances. Such energy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching Oteil Burbridge play his bass. The smile on that man is intoxicating. It’s honest and pure, just like his playing. I’ve Got A Feeling was the same thing with excellent Susan vocals and I let me feelings take me over, dancing around in front with my fellow strangers, singing with their “Oh Yeahs!”
Husband and Wife (Hottest couple ever) @ Mountain Jam
Derek Trucks @ Mountain Jam
Derek played through Nobody’s Free, with not one, but two broken stings, waving away the stage tech to complete the song. The mountain erupted in an applause after this song that kind of shook my core. I was so happy I was not alone in ADORING this group. Susan introduced the band after a few more songs, describing everyone with a little snippet of love before they went into Don’t Drift Away. Derek pulled out a solo here that ripped out my heart. And for the first time that weekend I was brought to tears. Uncontrollable streams of happiness down my cheeks. I held it in as best as I could but I sit here looking at my notes with dots of smeared ink and I smile. I was surrounded by strangers who were all there for the same reason as I was. And here was this magnificent guitarist doing something he does every single day, bringing people to the edge of emotion. That thought alone made me shine.
Kofi Burbridge @ Mountain Jam
It was a slow, soulful start with Standing on the Edge of Love with the end of the song consisting of Derek’s raging guitar bringing the mountain UP! UP! UP. Oteil RIPPED the bass up during Serve It Up and then Susan’s adorable speaking voice asked us how we were and thanked Warren Haynes for having them at the Festival. Next up, Blind Crippled and Crazy was a familiar tune that got people singing around me. Mike giving us his sexy, smooth falsetto and Kofi Burbridge soloing on the organ with a vibe that made you want to get DOWN.
Warren Haynes with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band @ Mountain Jam
Few more songs and then WE GOT A VISITOR!!! Warren Haynes joined the stage during Comin’ Home. Check out this GREAT video of the rage that occurred in front of my face. MY GOD!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!!!
Set List –> Intro, Love Has Something Else To Say, Midnight In Harlem, Love Was All In My Mind, I’ve Got a Feeling, Nobody’s Free, Band Intros, Don’t Drift Away, Standing On The Edge Of Love, Look Around, Serve It Up, I’d Rather Be Blind, Crippled And Crazy, All My Love, Comin’ Home, Space Captain
The Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band @ Mountain Jam
After the The Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band set, I received a call from Nigel Hall, a dear friend of mine since Jam Cruise, who I hadn’t seen in a minute. We caught up about his tour with Derek and Susan while we walked around, finally unloading his bags from their tour bus. After a minute, Nigel boarded the bus and popped his head out telling me to come on in. That glorious man brought me on the tour bus and sitting there were Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.
I was momentarily speechless as Nigel introduced me. Completely frozen as I bypassed Derek completely to shake Susan’s hand. All I could utter was “Your music saved me last year. You are a hero of mine.” But before I could get it all out, my voice cracked at “hero” and my eyes watered up as I was completely overwhelmed in the moment. It took all my might just to hold it together. She noticed my emotion, smiled and gave me a hug, calling me a “sweet dear.” I didn’t take pictures, I didn’t do anything. I just silently lost my mind trying not to let me emotions over take me. You have to remember that we are in Day II now of the festie which means little sleep and lots of raging has already takin place. I was in little control of my emotions but held it together.
So we sat, Derek, Susan, Nigel and I, chilling for about 20 minutes talking about the set, their tour, my NY stomping grounds, and much more. At one point Derek turns to Susan and says, “You and Karen should exchange numbers. We are always on the Upper East Side.” Honestly, I don’t think I can describe in words my reaction to this statement. First, I thought, what the HELL would she want with my number! Then I thought, who cares, I love her and she can have anything of mine she wants.
It was at that moment that I realized that as much as I ADORE/LOVE/WORSHIP Derek Trucks and consider him one of the greatest guitar players in the world, it was Susan who truly was my passion on that bus. It was her cover of Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right that truly grounded me and kept me sane in one of the worst times of my life. It’s why I broke down meeting her, all those feelings flooding back…knowing if all that evil hadn’t happened to me, I never would have made it on that bus to meet her. And I healed, just a little bit more… my heart opened up a little bit wider. And then finally we said our goodbyes. *** NIGEL! THANK YOU SO MUCH for knowing how important that was to me and for making it happen. THANK YOU!!! ***
The Villa Vosilla
The Lettuce crew was staying off site and so we took a little ride through the mountain and raged at the Villa Vosilla for a bit. Ate some dinner and relaxed in these ridiculous rooms that had me thinking I was in Alice in Wonderland. Yeah! Fully raged. We didn’t get back to the Festival until 11pm, just in time for the beginning of the second Gov’t Mule set. But missing the first Mule set was 110% worth it. The laughter on the ride back from the hotel alone made up for missing the music.
Rage room! @ Villa Vosilla
When we stopped at a check point, the police officers heckled us a bit. Our driver explained we needed to get to the festival and that this was a band. Finally, the officer asked the name of the band. Oh man. This was so good. Neal Evans leans over and says, “Lettuce.” The officer stared blankly for a minute and repeats “Lettuce” as if he must have misunderstood. “Lettuce. Did you say Lettuce?” “Yes,” says practically the whole van. Inside my head, I was laughing my ever loving mind off. The officer clearly thought we were herbs and finally let us pass. If he only knew the talent that was in that van…
I got back to the festival in time to rage the second set with my friends. However, I spent most of the first bit looking for them. Everyone’s phones were dying and my friends were up front amongst the masses. It didn’t take long before they found ME wondering around. I was pretty much in full face melting stance at this point and not taking notes. Just thrashing around the mountain dancing with my friends. All my favorite all stars joined the stage for this set and I was finally able to see Warren play with some favorites: The Shady Horns (Sam Kininger on Alto, Ryan Zoidis on Tenor Sax), Eric Krasno, and Jackie Green. I am not going to break it all down, you can download the set. But I will tell you that the encore of their set was a cover of Pearl Jam’sBLACK and it was awesome!!!
Set I: Railroad Boy >, Temporary Saint >, Gameface, Woodstock, Broke Down on the Brazos, Gordon James, Sad & Deep As You *, Kind Of Bird #, Blind Man in the Dark
Set II: The Joker ^, Frozen Fear >, D’yer Mak’er > Frozen Fear >, Rockin’ In The Free World >, Machine Gun > Rockin’ In The Free World >
Drums, Forevermore, The Spider & The Fly %$, Ventilator Blues !$, Monkey Man !, crowd, encore intro, Black, Train Kept A Rollin’
Lettuce brought the funk for the last time at 1m inside at the Colonel’s Stage while Dark Star Orchestra raged the Mainstage outside on the Mountain. I never once left the front of the Colonel’s stage. I couldn’t as I was glued to their sound. I was glued to their energy. I had absolutely no desire to see Dark Star even though I dig ’em.
The Shady Horns (Sam Kininger & Ryan Zoidis) @ Mountain Jam
Tonight we danced. We danced so hard. I was barely wearing anything, just a bikini and shorts, and I was dripping in FUNK! The good kind even though it was pretty hot! 🙂 Somewhere in the middle of the music, my buddy threw a head of Lettuce up on stage screaming, “We love You!” And it was true. My friends and I, a group of people who’s musical opinions I greatly value, are smitten with the Royal Family. Didn’t you know? 😉
Warren Haynes and Eric Krasno @ Mountain Jam
I could give you another run down on the Late night Lettuce rage but it would just be more of the same up from there. Gushing over how much we danced, raged, melted, and smiled. How amazing each player is and how TIGHT they all sound together. The group is just TIGHT. The Shady Horns play so impeccably in sync. But I won’t. I will stop right there and only say that Warren Haynes joined in towards the end of the set. Song #15 as the recording places it but as I do not listen to the recordings or read the reviews for shows until I write my own articles, I don’t know if it’s correct. And since I didn’t take note…
After the set, we walked up the mountain to the VIP tents and hung out for a few more hours with friends. Winding down, playing guitars and with lights. The sun started to come up and we knew it was time for bed. It’s the WORST trying to fall sleep as the sun is coming up. If you can get to bed before you see it, you are golden. Otherwise, it throws things completely off. My girl and I walked home in the misty rain and I hoped it would stop by afternoon when I awoke. I wanted more then anything to make The Bridge the next morning at 12pm but it was never going to happen. I finally fell asleep at 6am. When my body hit the bed, it was probably the most comfortable bed in the world at that moment. I know yall feel me. This festival was rockin’ our worlds. However, I had to keep it together because I had one more day of insanity…are you having fun with me so far??
Stay Tuned for Day III Review: Mountain Jam VI @ Hunter Mountain, NY (06.06.10)
As the eve before Mountain Jam arrived, I couldn’t sleep, no one could. My phone was blowing up with text messages finalizing last minute plans, causing last minute mini-drama bombs that kept us on our toes. It was like the day before Christmas, as it is before every festival. It might as well be Christmas, right? You know you are going to meet up with long lost phamily that is normally scattered across the nation and when you arrive you are given lots of goodies and presents 🙂 AM I RIGHT? Oh, our world is so full of life and love.
Approaching Hunter Mountain
Get ur tickets
The four of us piled into my buddy’s rage mobile and we took off down Highway 87. Two and a half hours later we were taking Exit 20 and making our way through the windy roads to the top of Hunter Mountain, the site of Mountain Jam for the last six years. The scenic drives through these mountains, or any mountains, are one of the perks of heading to any festival. Once you exit the bustling city, it only takes about 20 minutes before you start hitting lush rolling green hills on either side. My mind always gets thrown back to the Blue Ridge Mountains and it makes me miss Virgina, my home state, that much more.
The Weekend Rage Haven
I don’t do well with rain and this festival was notorious for it’s thunderstorms and drastic change of weather. After much debate and consideration, I decided to shack up with my buddy in his house for the weekend. It was a lovely cottage type house with three bedrooms and a shower, which numerous friends used over the course of the weekend. It’s always good to have a friend with a house! (MUCH LOVE FOR MURRAY! THANK YOU MY DEAR FRIEND!)
Welcome Center (& my housemates)
Waiting to see the music and get into camping....
With all my friends setting up their tent cities in Camping, I was free to roam the grounds. As I walked up the hill, a lovely old deadhead stopped just to tell me I looked lovely. I was wearing my favorite skirt I had bought at my first festival (All Good) over 11 years ago. A wonderful skirt my mother has repaired numerous times over to allow it to continue to live. It is the little moments like these that I never have to write down. The little moments of joy that find their way to your ears and eyes because people are just KIND in these settings. Hippies are the greatest people in the world.
Climbing up Hunter Mountain (East Side)
This venue was GORGEOUS. I had never been to a venue with such a gorgeous backdrop. The scene I was staring at behind the stage was magnificent. Beautifully lush green mountains with white clouds floating above. It truly was a sight to behold. Wait until you see the pictures of the sunset.
Look at the view behind stage! WHAT?
Kofi Burbridge & TR
My music karma followed me to Hunter Mountain. The commute went smooth, the house was so close, the weather for the weekend was, for the most part, sunny and dry. As well, within the first two hours of arriving, I had spotted and caught up with just about everyone I was hoping to see that weekend. One of the first people I ran into was Kofi Burbridge. He is always one to be found mingling among the crowd, getting into trouble. Then came a string of friendly faces who just made the hug chain continue for a few hours. This was going to be a GREAT weekend.
Elmwood in Colonel’s Hall
As I explored the grounds, the first drop of music I could hear was from the Colonel’s Hall, one of four stages set up at the venue. I stepped in for a few seconds to hear Elmwood and was right back out. There were three other stages: The East stage (Main stage), The West stage (side stage) and The Awareness Village stage. The shows I wanted to see were going to be mainly on the East and West stages.
The Karma Wash @ Mountain Jam
My home base for the festival was the Karma Wash. From now on, if they are part of any festival I am at, you can always find me there. A wonderful group of people who have more fun then I can describe. They have created a wonderful wonderland of playfulness for both adults and children. Everyone always need a good Karma scrubbing and they provide the services! Join their Facebook fanpage to see where you can get your Karma Washed next!
Scott Avett – Vocals, Banjo, Kick Drum, Drums Seth Avett – Vocals, Guitar, High-Hat, Keys, Drums Bob Crawford – Vocals, Bass Joe Kwon – Cello
I made my way to view the East stage where I could hear the folk/rock sound of The Avett Brothers tearing it up. Ah, the banjo always makes me smile. Their vibe was upbeat and feisty. Scott Avett’s singing flowed over the mountain from the stage and was so lovely with his brother harmonizing. When family members sing together there is a blend and a cohesiveness in the sound that is intangible to others. I wish I could tell you who else is on stage with the Avett Brothers in the above picture but alas. They rang out bluegrass into rock up the mountain until a piano was brought out for a few numbers which slowed down the vibe considerably.
As the piano accompanied, Scott sang I and Love and You, the title track off their newest cd. A simple song with a powerful statement. The only songs I recalled from quickly listening to their cd a few days prior. It caught my ear when I heard the lyrics Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in and Three words that became hard to say, I and Love and You. This group is tangible and by that I mean that I felt something when they sang. They touched me. I am not a fan of lyrics but coming from folk/bluegrass type music, I adore it. They were solid in their delivery and emotional amongst their dancing jigs. I loved them as they had help me toss my shoes off, hike my skirt up and dance in the dirt. Dancing with nature.
Now, Mountain Jam is the brain child of Warren Haynes, of The Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule. This meant that we would be blessed with two full nights of 2 sets of Gov’t Mule. It meant that Warren Haynes would be sitting in with whatever group he felt drawn to join. Get your party pants on…because once Mule started, there was no turning back.
Here's that sunset 🙂 SO lovely!
The rad ladies room
There was a 45 minute break before we were raging with Gov’t Mule!!! I completely shacked up by the Karma Wash for this set! I had no intention of trying to fight the thousands of people cramming up to the stage. Took off for what I heard was NICE bathroom in the ski lodge. ALWAYS a plus to have something other then a porta-potty. I about died as I walked passed the men’s room that looked like just a bunch of high school stalls. And then walking into the ladies room that had a lavish dressing room area, numerous sinks, mirrors, and couches. LOL!! Typical…
Now THIS was how one should watch Gov’t Mule. This was their festival, their time to shine. They know just as well as we do that it is their set that first night that sets the mood for the rest of the weekend. The energy and pure freaking rage of the first set was enough to cause a landslide…pun totally intended!
As World Gone Wild played, I totally realized that I was away from the city and I threw my head back to look at the stars. In that moment, a shooting star crossed overhead and I totally had a moment with myself. I shit you not. I thanked the powers that be for making my life worth living. And when the sun finally set, Hunter Mountain literally looked like it was on fire from the lights and the energy that was kicking off the weekend. Look at the picture below. Fire on the Mountain!
Gov't Mule @ Main Stage
Thorzine Shuffle closed out the set. Warren screamed “Till the damage is done!”over the mountain and everyone sang along. I could hear the harmonica on stage as if it were right beside me. The sound from the stage up that mountain was tremendous. Warren’s solos were superb and he teased Eleanor Rigby. I looked to see my friend dancing her heart out. A fellow blogger, I actually had written in my notes to just link to her description of this set. A COMPLETE MULEHEAD!! She was so happy and at that moment I loved me some Warren just as much as she did.
Gov't Mule @ Main Stage
For the second set of Mule we decided we needed to be closer. The highlight of the set for me was when Les Claypool joined Warren on Greasy Granny’s Gopher Gravy. Such a combination of styles: Warren’s southern drawl against Claypool’s slapstick bass. They TOTALLY jammed it out for a while. Unfortunately, this would be the only guest appearance I would SEE. I took a trip to the parking lot with a friend which caused me to miss seeing Kofi Burbridge sit in on Raven Black Night, Grace Potter sit in on Gold Dust Woman and Ray Lamontague join the stage but THANK GOD I was able to hear it all!! Kofi’s flute reached my ears and I immediately lost focus on my parking lot mission. Those conversations would have to wait. I had to get back.
I about died when I thought I had missed the end of the last set but the encore followed. Inside Outside Woman Blues was SOOO damn sexy! I loved Warren’s guitar on this one the best. Any Open Window and Steppin’ Lightly, where Jorgen Carlsson stood out on bass, closed it OUT!!! WHAT WAY TO START YOUR FESTIVAL!!!!
Set 1: Intro, Stay With Me, New World Blues, World Gone Wild, Time To Confess, The Shape I’m In, Monkey Hill >, Monday Mourning Meltdown, Where Did You Sleep Last Night, Thorazine Shuffle
Set 2: One Of These Days >, Fearless, The Wind Cries Mary, Greasy Granny’s Gopher Gravy (Part 1 & 2) > (w/ Les Claypool), Drums, Wishing Well, Raven Black Night > (w/ Kofi Burbridge), Gold Dust Woman (w/ Grace Potter)
Encores: Inside Outside Woman Blues, Any Open Window >, Steppin’ Lightly
After Mule, we geared up for the 1am late night sets. Les Claypool (Main Stage) and The New Mastersounds (Colonel’s Hall) were performing at the same time. This would be my first mental headache of the festival. I adore Claypool, as he feeds into my tiny dark side. However, I had tickets to see Claypool at the Brooklyn Bowl the following Tuesday in Manhattan so I decided to rage it with The New Mastersounds first. Apparently, I was not alone. The venue was PACKED but we got our front row spots on lock down no matter where we roll.
The New Mastersounds @ Colonel Stage
Throughout the day, my friends and I had told everyone that The New Mastersounds were the band to watch that night. Most definitely, one of the freshest acts to come out of England in the last few years. They truly have skyrocketed up in public opinion and I had been looking forward to seeing them all year. A friend spit out some interesting info the other day about NMS: “they’ll be the first to tell you they didn’t even think about “jamming” their tunes until they started touring the U.S. and learned that there were people that actually enjoyed that approach.” So, having only heard their studio album, I was blown away by their live performance.
Kofi Burbridge joins The New Mastersounds
Eddie Roberts threw out so much energy from that stage that I felt involved. He got so into his vibe that it was flat out tangible. Man, being so used to small club type settings or even large venues, on any given night, I felt closer to these bands at certain times on that Mountain amongst 15,000+ people then I ever did in NYC venues. And The New Mastersounds has us sweating bullets on that dance floor. A large portion of my friends said that they danced their hardest that first night at New Mastersounds. I know in that first set, I lost a few pounds myself. The heat was unbearable and I was dancing up front with my favorite people. SO HARD!!! Kofi Burbridge joined the stage during Fast Man and stayed for quite some time, adding his spectacular talent and sound to an already rocking performance.
Set I: Intro, Zambezi, Miracles, Dusty Groove, Thermal Bad, MRG, Fast Man -> Kofi Jam ->, Get On The Good Foot -> You Got It All, Six Underground, The Minx, 33 (A Good Year To Die), Carrot Juice, Make Me Proud!, One Note Brown ->, One Note Brown, Stage Banter, San Frantico, Idris, Nervous ->, Jam ->, Nervous
About half way through their set, I was dying of heat exhaustion and decided to take a walk outside and catch some Les Claypool. As I walked up the side of the mountain I decided if I was going to watch some Les, I wanted to be in the front row. A friend had been in charge of designing the paramedic route to the stage so the set up was a little different then previous years I was told. This new route allowed for me to walk right up the middle to the front and allowing me to access the stage very easily. And by god, it took me sometime but I got to the dead center, front row just as Les was teasing Led Zepplin’s Kashmir. We are in the second song of the second set at this point. Times FLIES! And then I couldn’t move! Not because of the people, but because Les Claypool delivered a RIGHTEOUS set and a funky David Makalaster I sandwiched a kickass version of Southbound Pachyderm. The New Mastersounds had lost me.
The Utterly Amazing! Les Claypool
If only you could have seen what my eyes saw...
My favorite part of Claypool’s performance was when he left the stage for the drummer rage. Upon his return, he had put on his monkey mask and transformed into one of his many personas of strange. Freaking Creepster. I love him. This was just FUN!! The strobe lighting allowed for him to walk out stunted, as we only saw every other step. In the frame of mind I was in, I could have easily freaked out. He looked completely out of control to me. It was creepy and wonderful at the same time.
Set I: Up On The Roof, Rumble Of The Diesel, Toys Go Winding Down tease->Amanitas, Buzzards Of Green Hill**, Red State Girl, Hendershot, Precipitation->Mr. Krinkle tease->Precipitation>, Drums->, Drums & Whamola Jam
Set II: Booneville Stomp, Cosmic Highway->Goodbye Blue Sky tease->Cosmic Highway->Kashmir tease->Cosmic Highway, David Makalaster I, Southbound Pachyderm, David Makalaster I, D’s Diner
During D’s Diner, I took off back towards The New Mastersounds hoping to catch the last few songs with my friends. I didn’t even bother making my way to the front. Remember how my friends said they might have danced their hardest to this set? Well, as I entered Colonel Hall, everyone who I had lot track of, still wanted to see, or was looking for, was right there in the back. My friend “M” must have been introduced around 5 times but within a few minutes more glorious friend circles collided and the krewe grew exponentially right on the spot. GOD, I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY! My friends were flying all over the place. Literally, arms flying, spinning in circles, twirling each other, dipping each other….we might have been dancing with the music but we were more dancing with each other at that moment. This continued for the remaining songs. And I found myself another few pounds lighter.
The music ended and we walked 20 feet outside to the picnic tables and I SANK into the chair that would remain my best friend for another 2-3 hours. We literally raged there for the remaining time with new friends and old. I sat back watching my friends click with each other. The weather was gorgeous, the vibe was chill. To me, these might be the greatest moments…when friends from different walks of life finally cross paths and everyone just chills and talks about the great music they saw…all connected through the music, the vibe, the atmosphere. And it’s especially great when you get to say thank you to the band as they walk to their tour bus to go make more people in another location happy. The New Mastersounds had blown their spot up at Mountain Jam. Totally rocked the Mountain to a close. And when they walked out, the cheer was probably heard in Camping. They were so appreciated. I hope they knew that deep down in their souls!
We walked home as the sun came up and my head hit the pillow before 6am. It was difficult to sleep with everything running through my head. What a night and with beautiful weather to boot. I looked forward to doing it all again tomorrow.
Thorzine Shuffle closed out the set. Warren screamed “Till the damage is done….”over the mountain and everyone sang along. I could hear the harmonica on stage as if it were right beside me. The sound from the stage up that mountain was tremendous. Warren’s solos were superb and he teased Eleanor Rigby. I looked to see my friend dancing her heart out. She was so happy and at that moment I loved me some Warren just as much as my friend did.
Moving slow this morning. Quick check of the weather forecast reveals no change. Total cloud cover, breezy, chance of rain. This is great. No need to continuously apply SPF 30! Time to get on the school bus! Unfortunately, we missed the first period of classes. However, we arrive in time to catch the end of the Henry Butler & the Game Bandsetat the Gentilly stage. This band had much more of a gospel feel than New Orleans Social Club showcasing Henry Butler’s great voice as well as his piano playing prowess.
Henry Butler @ Jazz Fest 2010
We were focused. It was time to hoof it over quickly to the Acura stage for Anders Osborne. During the trek,we loved listening to snippets of Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band at the Fais Do Do stage and Rebirth Brass Band at Congo Square.
Rebirth Brass Band @ Jazz Fest 2010
Saturday at Jazz Fest gets extremely crowded. It’s good to have a strategy so that you can enjoy viewing the performers without having to battle the crowds. This is especially true as one gets older and perhaps less slim (like me). Over the last couple of years, our Krewe has adopted the following strategy for the Acura stage once the crowds build: position ourselves in front of the big screen to the left of the stage near the Grand Marshall entrance. This is where we went next.
It has been a year since I have seen Anders Osborne live, but I have been following his career closely and could not help but notice that his appearance has taken a turn to say the least. When viewed on the big screen, Anders’ appearance is, how can I say this tactfully, even more disconcerting.
Anders Osbourne @ Jazz Fet 2010
However, there was nothing disconcerting about the performance or the great songs from Anders’ brand new album American Patchwork. Most notable was the killer tune ‘On the Road to Charlie Parker’ as well as another gem ‘Acapulco’. During the set, Anders thanked the Stanton Moore Trio for helping to ‘get my shit together.’ It’s easy to see why with such great collaborators providing the right mood for Anders’ introspective lyrics.
Anders Osbourne @ Jazz Fet 2010
Later in the set, Anders brought another collaborator, guitarist Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity, Down) for a couple of tunes, including the haunting dual lead guitar laced ‘Darkness at the Bottom’.
Pepper Keenan w/ Anders Osborne & the Stanton Moore Trio @ Jazz Fest 2010
Afterwards, Anders quipped about starting a ZZ Top cover band with Pepper. I found Anders set to be quite powerful and emotional, certainly destined to be one of my highlights of Jazzfest 2010. Anders is currently touring with the Trio on the west coast promoting the new album. Go see them if you can!
After that set, I was spent. Seems like just the right time to head to the Blues tent and grab a seat for Chris Thomas King. You may remember Chris from his co-starring role in the Coen Brothers film O Brother Where Art Thou. I learned several years ago that Chris is a great singer and delta blues guitarist when I caught him at a blues festival in Wheeling, WV. His Jazz Fest set featured Chris playing mostly acoustic instruments with a couple of tunes on electric. My guitar playing buddy was impressed.
Chris Thomas King @ Jazz Fest 2010
Crawfish Strudel
Time for some food! I was ‘beered out’ by Saturday, decided I should look for a different beverage. I selected the Rosemint Iced Tea (unsweetened). Delicious. At this point I was looking for something I had not tried for and saw a sign for something called a Crawfish Strudel. Hmmm. Better check that out. What I saw was a small rectangular flaky bread loaf with a slit through the top stuffed with a soupy concoction with chunks of crawfish. Kinda like a small bread bowl, if you will, but very delicate. A very nice surprise! While I was working through the food lines, I could see the big Acura screen between the booths. I noticed that Irma Thomas was sitting in with Galactic! I guess I picked the wrong time to get hungry!
Band of Horses @ Jazz Fest 2010
By this time, our dogs were barking (it’s hell growing old), so we worked our way over to the Fais Do Do stage. Got there in time to see BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet finish their set. Excellent. Most of my Krewe ended up randomly gathering as the Honey Island Swamp Band set up for their set. One brought a chair and set it up toward the back of the crowd. Some friends and I parked on the bleachers to the left of the stage. Some were in the standing area in front of the stage. It’s great to have a group split during a day at the fest then randomly meet near the end of the day. Some of my group reported that the Band of Horses set at Gentilly was killer. Others reported that Galactic had many special guests throughout their set, not just Irma.
I have been following Chris Mulé and Aaron Wilkinson for years, since their days as part of Eric Lindell’s band. Both are great players and singers. In addition to the band, the stage was filled with a keyboard player, backing vocalists, and a horn section, quite a departure from the spare traveling band I saw just a few weeks ago at a small club in my hometown. But what a dancin’ party it was at Fais Do Do!
I knew that the crowds for Pearl Jam at Acura would be impossible. I made the decision long before coming to New Orleans that I would end Saturday at the Gentilly stage for guitar god Jeff Beck. It has been about a decade since I last saw Mr. Beck. I am happy to report that he is getting better with age if that is possible. His very tight band consisted of a phenomenal female bass player and singer, drummer, and a keyboardist. Most tunes were instrumentals, but hey, that’s OK, Jeff makes the guitar sing like no one can. Also, gotta love a guy that is comfortable in his wardrobe. Great ending to yet another great day. Heavy clouds, no rain! I like this trend!
Jeff Beck @ Jazz Fest 2010
Saturday Night, 5/1
Some of our Krewe were talking about going to see Anders Osborne and the Stanton Moore Trio again at The Rock ‘N’ Bowl on Saturday night. I wasn’t wild about going to the same venue two nights in a row and I wasn’t wild about seeing Anders again on the same day after that draining (in a good way) set at the fairgrounds. Last year, I did not make it to the Frenchman Street area in Marigny, an area just east of the French Quarter. Frenchman Street is a street lined with music clubs and restaurants that is more of a scene, hip, vibrant, bohemian, you name it area than the much more touristy Bourbon Street.
Soulive @ Jazz Fest 2010
We decided to go see Soulive at The Blue Nile. Upon arriving on the scene, the streets and sidewalks are literally jammed with people. Most I have ever seen on Frenchman Street. When we approach The Blue Nile, we land in a block long admission line. We finally make it in to the club just before the show starts. There was a large deep crowd of people in front of the stage. We positioned ourselves just to the right of the stage. While not the best vantage point, at least we can clearly see the keys.
Soulive @ Jazz Fest 2010
Soulive is Eric Krasno (guitar), Alan Evans (drums) and his brother Neal Evans (keyboards). What a pleasure to see this band in such a small venue! I have always loved Kras’ guitar playing, but from our vantage point, we had a bird’s eye view of Neal’s thumping left hand bass line playing coupled with his right hand organ playing. How does he do that?
Soulive @ Jazzfest 2010
As the set progressed, the crowd got much larger and our bird’s eye view became less ideal. There was nowhere to move or breathe for that matter, so we moved a little further back. By this time, Nigel Hall joined the band to sing a few tunes, some of which were James Brown-like. At least we had a little more space to shake our bones! Several minutes later, the long set ended. Terrific performance! We decided to get some air and check out the street scene.
Across the street in front of the now closed Café Brasil, there was a blues band (electric) playing. What fun! Not 30 feet from the blues band, a brass band was holding court in the middle of the intersection. All the while, people were stopping to listen, dancing, and strolling by. We continued walking up the street taking in all of the sights and sounds. Most of us decided that we weren’t going to fight the crowds and return to the Blue Nile for the 2nd set. The one guy that did stay behind later reported that the second set was all Beatles tunes. RUBBER SOULIVE! Darn!
There were no cabs to be had on Frenchman Street, so we decided a stroll through the neighborhoods was in order. It was a very pleasant evening and the walk did us good. Once we were back in the French Quarter, we happened to stroll by the Co Co Club on Bourbon Street and saw the most excellent blind blues guitarist, Bryan Lee, playing. What a bonus! Even though there was no cover and we could have gone inside, we had a great view of Bryan and the sound was great out on the street. We paused for about 10 minutes enjoying the band.
What a great night! And back to the hotel just before 2:00? I love it!
So after a five hour sleep, I shower, get dressed, catch up with my buddy for a minute, then it’s off to the Cake Café for a croissant and up the Fairgrounds for Day 1. It’s a little overcast, the perfect kind of Fest day, not too hot and sunny. Text my folks to let em know I’m on my way. Stop to buy water from the same lady I buy water from outside the fest every year, grab my cubes (slang, term to describe Jazz Fest schedule) and tell the nice lady hanging out to remember me and not be surprised when I sweat through them and come back every day. Get my stuff searched, my ticket scanned, and wow, I’m in. HAPPY JAZZFEST!
Fais DO DO Stage (Photo by allentomdude)
For those who don’t know about Jazz Fest, there are three stages you always need to make time to check out: the Gospel Tent, the Jazz and Heritage Stage, and the Fais Do-Do (pronounced Fay doughdough) Stage. Just do it; make the time. Because at each of those spaces, there’s a really good chance you’ll hear someone you’ve never heard of before making incredible music.
McMain High School Gospel Choir
I learned this lesson really well in 2008 and I try to stick to it, so seeing as it’s the first venue on the way in, I grab a seat in the Gospel Tent to check out the McMain High School Gospel Choir. Local high school, apparently, I know nothing about them and sit down. WOW. Amazing! Unbelievable voices, poise, energy, showmanship. Just incredible! All kinds of soloists started doing amazing things, and their band, comprised of high school musicians, was incredibly tight! Texted my wife that the choir was so good I was thinking about converting, and the Gospel tent is so good it wasn’t the first or last time I’ve made that joke.
Kirk Joseph (Photo By Jeff Dupuis)
While there, I figured out roughly how my day was going to go, then made my way over to LB and her Krewe of folks at the fairgrounds. LB is a Jazzfest vet, having been many times, and I had the pleasure of bonding with her about Jazzfest at a Big Sam show last year, so we’ve been hitting great funk shows together since then. Her Krewe had a nice spot by the Acura (main 1) stage, and I went to check out Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove. Kirk Joseph is the original sousaphone player of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and is credited by many with taking Sousaphone playing into the realm of replacing an electric bass in a funk band. This style of Sousaphone playing, taken up by others like “Tuba Phil” Frazier of the Rebirth Brass Band, has become the standard for many Brass Bands around the world, and Joseph was one of the innovators, so I wanted to see what his new band was putting down. Nice lineup, multiple horns including what looked like a baritone horn (smaller version of a regular tuba), keys, guitar, and a couple of singers. Doing a nice mix of funky stuff, flirtatious titles (don’t let me have a taste if I don’t get to have the whole thing), and stuff with a message about living together.
Prejean's pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo (Photo by Prejean's Restaurant)
Speaking of tastes, it wouldn’t be Fest without the food! Went off to get my first tastes of Fest, including the Pheasant, Quail and Andouie Gumbo from Prejeans that I look forward to every year, as well as the stuffed mushrooms that are just delicious. And the nice folks at Prejeans gave me a FREE BOWL! After I stopped to take a sip, I groaned at how good the stuff is. One of the folks behind the table asked me why I stopped, I told her it tasted just like I remembered it did last year, and she handed me another bowl without waiting. Awesome! Some to share with LB’s buddies of the Superchill Krewe. Yeah you right!
Dumpstaphunk (Photo by Jason Moran)
Nothing else grabbed my fancy, so I decided to stay put at Acura and give Dumpstaphunk a real chance. I always kind of a weird feeling about them- I feel about musical families the way I feel about royal families- having the name doesn’t impress me, you have to bring it. Being Art Neville’s nephew and playing keys made me a little wary- I’m a huge devotee of Poppa Funk, and didn’t want to see someone up there just b/c of the name. But Ivan really brought it on keys and with some great energy on vocals as well. By the second tune, “Turn This Thing Around” which was talking about helping folks that need a hand, I was really digging the groove. In some ways, Dumpstaphunk reminded me of a mix between the tight funk of the Meters and the cosmic slop of P-Funk. Nasty grooves and a good message? Sign me up. Ivan and the whole crew were serious business, and I’m sorry I ever had a thought that he wasn’t earning it, because Ivan is a monster on them keys.
Walter Payton with Snapbeans & Gumbo Filé
But as the crew was rampaging through “Put it in the Dumpsta” I checked the time and realized it was time to see an old friend. Walter Payton, Jazz Bassist extraordinaire, music education giant of New Orleans, father of trumpet star Nicholas Payton, and longtime stalwart of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, was playing with his group, Snap Ppeas and Gumbo File, at the Economy Hall Tent. The Economy Hall tent is one of three Jazz stages at Jazzfest, the stage representing traditional, New Orleans Jazz. I had the pleasure of making friends with Walter on my first trip to New Orleans in 1999, and always try to get out and see him at Fest. This was especially important this year as he had a stroke at the beginning of the year, so I really wanted to see him. And it was tough. The musicianship was great, he had some tremendous folks playing with him, including guitar wizard June Yamagishi (from Papa Grows Funk, among other things) and a couple great singers and dancers. But he wasn’t nearly as gregarious as previous years, one could tell he wasn’t quite recovered from the stroke and it made me quite sad. When I spoke with one of the staff of Preservation Hall about Walter on Monday, she and I both started to tear up as she talked to me about him not wanting to slow down, wanting to keep going and pushing himself a little too hard to get back. I made her promise to tell him I send my best and she did. It’s a sad thing to see good people not quite at their best. Here’s hoping for a continued speedy recovery, Walter. The music world, and really the whole world needs you better. Readers, if you’re not sure you agree, check out this great video of Walter singing the Louis Armstrong classic, “Shimmy Like My Sister Kate”
Mardi Gras Indian (Photo by Mica Lawson)
Having a bit of time to kill before Dr. Klaw, my next must see, I headed over to catch Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots over at the Congo Square stage. On the way, I got caught in some second line fun with some Mardi Gras Indians and the Paulin Brothers Brass Band. Oh yeah, if ten stages of unbelievable music isn’t enough for you, there are often Brass Bands and Mardi Gras Indians parading through the fairgrounds at random times.
Paulin Brothers Brass Band (Photo by Maitri)
So after waving around a napkin and shaking it with the Paulin Brothers Brass Band, who were just great, went off to see Sunpie. Sunpie is impressive, multi instrumentalist, great singer, and a big presence. He apparently used to play football, he’s a tall dude. He’s also all over the place, playing WWOZ’s piano night, playing with his own band, later on that weekend with the Mardi Gras Indians Orchestra, and on the awesome new Ensemble Fatien disc. I was looking forward to catching him and the Sunspots later that night at the Mid City Lanes annual Legends of Zydeco show, but wanted to catch a peek now. He didn’t disappoint, romping through Louis Jordan’s “Choo Choo Ch’boogie” and a couple others before I danced my way back to the Jazz and Heritage Stage for Dr. Klaw. Some really great accordion work, and that band is awful tight.
Alright Dr. Klaw! Dr. Klaw is one of these bands that only exists in a few places like Jazz Fest and Jam Cruise, a mutant mash up of Chapter 2, represented by Eric Krasno on guitar and some vocals, Adam Deitch on drums, and Nigel Hall on Keys and vocals, and Dumpstaphunk, represented by Nick Daniels on bass and lead vocals and Ian Neville on guitar. It was kinda weird to see a guitar based band at the Jazz and Heritage stage, but I didn’t mind it. These guys were fantastic- Nick Daniels syncing up with Adam Deitch for some sick grooves, Eric Krasno letting it out and singing it out a lil bit, and Nigel laying down some tasty stuff on the keys. Ian was good too, but seemed content to let Kras take the lead. Ivan Neville was on the side of the stage most of the set, grooving and possibly chomping at the bit to get in the mix, but didn’t end up stepping in. My personal highlight was Nick Daniels and Nigel Hall sharing vocals on a tasty as hell version of “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder. It’s only halfway through Day 1 at the Fairgrounds, and I already got a “best covers of 2010” list brewing in my head. The fellas headed into Nigel Hall’s “Leave Me Alone” but not being in the mood to hear that particular track, I bounded towards the track side of the Congo Square stage to get a good spot for the Soul Rebels Brass Band.
Soul Rebel Brass Band
The Soul Rebels are one of New Orleans’ many great second generation Brass Band outfits. I say second generation because you have older guard groups like the Treme Brass Band, the Paulin Brothers, and then, starting with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and of course, the mighty Rebirth Brass Band, you have a second wave of brass bands that combine the traditional music with Funk, R&B, Rock, and Hip Hop to make more contemporary flavored music. The Soul Rebels have been around at least sixteen or seventeen years. I got down with their groove for a bit before chatting a little with some folks that were set up near me, including a woman who asked me if I spoke Hebrew (in Hebrew). Ah, the surprises of wearing a Hebrew letter Yankees hat to Jazz Fest. She let me know there were actually a lot of Yids and Israelis at Jazz Fest, and that I should look out for the Krewe at, what else, the Israeli flag by Acura.
Someone bumps into me and it’s KD! KD is the person that finally went to Fest in 2007 and inspired me to get off my tuchus and go there, and she’s just good people. Starting last year, she’s been “living the dream” and spending 12 days in New Orleans for Fest. We catch up, she tells me where she’s been, who she’s been seeing and how she’s doing. We both grumble at the mediocre hip hop stuff that’s entered the Soul Rebels set. I’m sorry y’all, I’m from New York and I take Hip Hop seriously, so I’m kinda tough on folks dropping random things in. Y’all wouldn’t like it if Talib Kweli picked up a saxophone and started half ass-ing “Do Whatcha Wanna” either. Glad to see KD but feeling like a different energy, we hug and part ways, and I head back to the Jazz and Heritage stage to catch 101 Runners.
101 Runner (Photo by Kaarin Tisue)
MAN! What a difference! These guys are pouring it out there, goin nuts over “Shallow Water” and whipping the crowd into a frenzy. I have to say, watching people discover this stage is a favorite of mine. People don’t know what to make of the Mardi Gras Indians groups but they get into them pretty quickly with their incredibly funky grooves and their catchy call and response melodies. Perfect. Off to snag a Loretta’s Praline and get a decent spot for Elvis Costello at the Gentilly Stage. Well, I didn’t head over soon enough, because I can hear strains of a killer version of “Hey, You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” wafting skyward as I approach. The lawn is packed, no good spot for me. I unfold the chair and grab a seat.
Elvis Costello @ Jazzfest 2010
He’s performing some great stuff, and the local crowd has some real love for him as he’s been around the city post federal flood. Does a few more great tunes I don’t know (I must confess to not knowing his catalog super well) and it’s great stuff… but for some reason, my soul is not there. This is one thing that’s difficult to manage about Jazzfest- restless ears. There’s so much good stuff happening at any one moment that it’s tough to stay in one place if you’re not feeling it. So even though this was my first time seeing Elvis Costello, and even though he was great, and even though my friends reading this will probably smack me for saying this… I left Gentilly to end my day at another tent.
On my way to the main gate, I passed the Economy Hall tent, where there was a great tribute to Louis Prima happening, as part of the celebration of his 100th birthday. One of Prima’s guitar players, Bobby Lonero, was leading a great band in a set of Prima classics. Who could go wrong? Great mash up of When You’re Smiling into Oh Marie, and then, when they asked the crowd for a request, everyone yelled for Just a Gigolo. For those who don’t know, the David Lee Roth version was ripped off essentially note for note from Louis Prima’s arrangement. Don’t believe me? Check this out:
John Popper @ Jazz Fet 2010
Except Roth, the nice Jewish boy, leaves off my favorite part, when Prima is saying nobody/no one in multiple languages, including Yiddish at the end. In any case, the band is doing a fantastic version of it, and while I know they’re doing a tribute, it’s putting a big smile on my face. After they finish it, the band starts into “I’m Leaving You” Prima’s last song before he went into a coma and later passed, and not in a place to be down, I head towards the Blues tent where John Popper and the gents from Blues Traveler are closing out the day. The harmonica work is great, and they launch into a great version of Sublime’s “What I Got” which is a great way to end the first day at the fairgrounds. But, as you know from the previous post, this is not the end of the action, but merely half time, as it’s only 7pm and there will be music happening until sunrise tonight!
Upperline, NOLA
On the long walk to my rental car, I realize this is the only day I’ll be able to hit Upperline, an insanely delicious restaurant hidden between the garden district and the Tulane campus. Not wanting to wait another year to have their insanely good Roast Duck with Garlic Port sauce, on a whim, I call to see if they have room for one. If I can get there by 8pm, there’s a small table I can sneak into for an hour. PERFECT!
The Monsters of Zydeco (nb, Mid City, y’all should really call it that next year) doesn’t start till 9ish, M’s flight lands at 10, delicious dinner, half hour of music, get M, 4 more hours of music. Done! I fly across town and, using my handy map (remember those, people? Who needs a GPS when you can read a freaking map!?!), and in 25 minutes, I go from Fairgrounds traffic to Upperline deliciousness. As I sit down and order, I notice an African American gentleman heading towards the… holy crap, it’s DIESEL! Karl Denson is playing a late show at Tipitina’s with his solo band, the Tiny Universe, and he apparently made time for one of New Orleans’ best restaurants as well. Yep, 2 out of 2 funky sax players agree, Upperline is the place to be. I tuck in to my roast duck with praline pecan yams and, MAN, I am a happy camper. Except when I look at my phone and find out that M’s flight, after first text that they were boarded and ready to go, is delayed. NO! Just so y’all know, M is my wife of 2 years, and one of the first things we’ve bonded over is Zydeco music. Since the inception of the Monsters of Zydeco show in 08, I’ve been dying for her to get to Fest in time to see this show. Sated and pleased with the meal but grumpy about the news, I make my way to Mid City Lanes.
Night Show review: Legends of Zydeco, Mid City Lanes, Thursday, 4/29.
Rock'N'Bowl, NOLA
I’ve been to the first two Monsters of Zydeco shows, and it’s pretty much all you could ask for in an all star show. Four or Five of the very best artists in a style of music, playing full hour plus sets with their bands AND everyone is sitting in with each other as well. Imagine four of your favorite rock bands getting together and doing something like that. Awesome, right? Except, this ACTUALLY happens at Rock’N’Bowl each year, unlike the all star concert in your head.
This show, as it was the last two years, is an absolute blast. When you have Buckwheat Zydeco, CJ Chenier, Sunpie Barnes, Nathan Williams of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, and old school Zydeco legend Clayton Sampy rocking out together, with zydeco and blues guitar master L’il Buck Sinegal leading the band, you know it’s gonna be a good party. Sunpie was serving as the MC of the evening and doing a great job introducing everyone. It seems that in Zydeco, there’s a lot of love to go around with all the musicians involved, and it certainly comes to the forefront on a night like this.
This year, while players were moving in and out, it was mostly Buckwheat’s band that formed a house band, with L’il Buck at the helm, and man, were they on it. The people were on it, too, as the floor filled up with swingers and two steppers the second Sampy got it started. I’ve been in Pantera and Primus mosh pits, and I can tell you it gets a little dangerous on the dance floor at Zydeco night at the Rock’N’Bowl. Sampy played some great French language old school classics and the people were really feeling it.
Next up, Nathan Williams took a turn and he mixed a little more English into the songs and things got a bit more contemporary, there was the start of the mix of classic Zydeco and R&B, with Nathan leading the band in a rousing cover of “Hey Hey Hey Hey!” Nathan also put on quite a show, getting down on his knees at the front of the stage (he came right over to me several times, which was awesome) and hopping off the stage to play in the crowd. Want some Zydeco..take a listen…
CJ Chenier
The sets were a good hour or so, and the set breaks were pretty short as they kept rotating in players. Next up was Sunpie, and I was psyched to see the man take a turn- he got a serious groove going the dance floor was a frenzy! Too bad I wasn’t getting to frenzy, thanks to the fools that delayed M’s flight… but wait, the phone’s ringing! Hooray! M’s landed, and after Sunpie’s second song ends, I sprint to the car to go get her. She hops in and we drive right back to the show as quick as possible. We missed the end of Sunpie’s set, but CJ Chenier is getting started, and man, that guy can play. But hell, they all can play. And while the other leaders/bands are coming on, everyone else stays and listens, and takes their cher out on the dance floor. M and I would bump into CJ later on the floor during Buckwheat’s set. CJ is going bananas, as is the band and the rest of the place. CJ plays a good hour, dropping Hot Tamale Baby on us, and M and I twirl around the dance floor while trying not to get elbowed or body checked by another dancing couple.
Buckwheat Zydeco
We hit the set break, grab a drink, sit by an empty bowling alley and relax for a minute. I find out that M is a complete trooper, having been up till 2 packing, gotten up at 6 and is still standing now and waiting for Buckwheat to come out. What can I say, the girl loves her some Zydeco. And Buckwheat didn’t disappoint. We were especially psyched to cheer when the introduction of Buckwheat was no longer just about his Grammy nominations, but as a Grammy Winner! Buckwheat burns immediately into “Whatcha Gonna Do?” and the place is going crazy. CJ is dancing with someone and has a huge grin on his face. Sunpie is out dancing too. It’s fantastic- everyone is dancing, smiling and having a ball. It’s Jazz Fest. As the show winds down to a close, John Blanchard, Mid City Lanes Owner, asks everyone to clear a path, and one of the bartenders does ten or so back flips in a row! Insane! As the band is packing up, Sunpie decides we haven’t gotten enough, so he gives us a little Lagniappe (something extra) by firing up his accordion and singing some more. CJ Chenier sits down at the organ to join him but for the first couple of minutes there’s no power, which Sunpie found out the hard way when he said “you got it, CJ” to give him a solo, and CJ yells (no mic, but audibly) “got what, I ain’t got nothin!” but finally the power gets back on and a washboard player jumps on stage, and they gave us another half hour of music!
Again, this is exactly what you want your All Star shows to be like- everyone doin their own thing and also doing it together. For nearly six hours. Yeah You Right!
I drove us back to our buddy’s spot, quieted the very energetic dog and helped M into bed. After considering joining LB at Tips for KDTU’s show, I decided Fest is a marathon and I have many late nights still to go, so I climbed into bed with my baby at 3am instead of going back out- though not before predicting to LB that Robert Walter would sit in with KDTU that night and asking her not to tell me about it till the next day. With my sweetie in town, and her fam due in the next day, and the alarm clock going off in 6.5 hours, Friday is going to be a fun day…
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 