Night 4 Recap with Karl Denson, Jennifer Hartswick and The London Souls :: Marco Benevento and Jennifer Hartswick Tonight!
The fourth night of Bowlive took place at the Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg last night to a sold-out crowd of dedicated Soulive fans. Drummer Alan Evans, guitarist Eric Krasno, and organist Neal Evans took it easy as guitarist Tash Neal, bassist Stu Mahan, and drummer Chris St. Hilaire opened the evening with a hard-rocking 30-min set. This was Stu’s second live performance with the London Souls and he couldn’t be a better fit. Tash is an aggressive guitarist and Chris’s powerhouse drumming makes you want to full on head bang. Perhaps you have heard their song “Steady As You Ready” off of Mob Wives, which they killed last night! Eric Krasno could be seen in the audience bopping his head to one of his favorite bands in our scene. The London Souls return to Bowlive on Saturday, March 10th.
When the endless lines outside the Brooklyn Bowl had finally been let in, Soulive took to the stage and played “El Ron” with such a fierce level of energy, shouting out musically that the weekend had begun! In that first song, Krasno was at the edge of the stage on his tiptops shredding his guitar into the faces of those in the front row. Keeping up the energy, “Dig” followed with teases of Snoop Dog and Lettuce mixed in.
The first tribute of the run was to the great Melvin Sparks. Soulive’s highly anticipated latest release, Spark, had only just shown up in Vinyl form that morning to the Brooklyn Bowl. Melvin Sparks was an American guitarist who passed last year. His soul jazz, hard bop and jazz blues influence can been seen in every one of today’s talented guitarists. Spark is a collaboration between the members of Soulive and Karl Denson. That pretty much is all that really needs to be said to convince you to check it out.
Flutist and saxophone player Karl Denson was special guest for his second night. He joined the stage for the song “Spark,” which had audience members fully engrossed. Karl added a gorgeous level with his flute while drummer Alan Evans, once the drummer for Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and the rest of the stage passionately layered their sound atop one another. A lovingly delivered tribute to the end.
Trumpeter Jennifer Hartswick, the second special guest billed last night and the first female presence to grace the stage for the run, joined for another song of Spark titled “Povo,” another head banging rock song that at times turned psychedelic is an instrumental by Freddie Hubbard. Krasno and Hartswick bantered playfully with their instruments and Karl now back on his saxophone. When Jennifer took her solo, she slammed the audience so hard with her talent that afterwards, the place erupted! Female Power!! A beautifully executed “Nubian Woman” was the choice off their latest cd with a more psychedelic jazz flavor. The members on stage were feeling the Melvin Sparks vibe flowing through them freely.
When Jennifer Hartswick moved from horn row to the front stage, those in the audience who realized the treat they were in store for began screaming. Saxophonist James Casey (The Shady Horns) also joined the stage. The musicians teased Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady” as Jennifer hummed the tune to warm her voice and to tease us with her sultry sound before delivering the goods. Her voice shook the rafters on the high notes and as the cool James Casey rocked the audience a killer solo, the shades on his head fell over his eyes in true rockstar fashion.
“Bowlive Staple,” as Krasno called him, Nigel Hall joined the stage now as the entire vibe was slowed down for a song that would, regardless of it’s slower speed, would trigger fond memories and raise the energy of the minds in the audiences. Tears for Fears cover “Everyone Wants to Rule the World” is a song that Soulive has perfected with their own style. Something every artist hopes to accomplish, especially when it’s a cover. Nigel Hall on vocals was heart melting as always while Alan and Krasno filled in the backup vocals. Towards the end of the tune, Nigel flowed seamlessly into “The Light” by Bobby Caldwell. An absolutely gorgeous, mellow, yet powerful mash-up to end the set.
Soulive opened up the second set with the fuly raging “One in Seven.” Neal Evans, who has been on fire this entire run, continued his trend while brother Alan was then left on stage for a calculated isolated drum solo. After witnessing his drum solos each night, it is fun to enjoy the different tricks Alan pulls out of his bag to ensure that we get a taste of his various abilities. And then it was back to close out One in Seven.
Tash Neal (The London Souls) was the next guest invited out on stage to perform the famous Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song “Ohio!” Unbelievable guitar rage between he and Krasno. The Evans brothers were crushing it as Karl Denson couldn’t miss this wonderful performance and ran out on stage grabbing a tambourine. Tash and Karl left as the trio, now alone on stage, executed a gorgeous rendition of Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Lenny,” a beautiful love song Vaughan wrote for his wife and performed beautifully and emotionally by Krasno.
Karl Denson joined for the raging “Turn It Out,” where he delivered a beautiful flute solo. They continued on into “For Granted,” where he was joined by James Casey, Jennifer Hartswick, and Nigel Hall on keys with Neal. The playful song gave each artist a dedicated two minute solo to showcase their instruments. Starting with Krasno establishing the musical chorus, Karl followed, then Hartswick, and James Casey, who crushed it so hard Karl Denson began fanning Casey’s fire off with a towel giving him the props he rightfully deserved. Nigel Hall solo followed with Neal filling in the blanks. Each solo established that these musicians had chops. That they were the best in their game and at that time, they were making sure we recognized that fact.
Neal Evans, now alone again on his rig, started off “Jesus Children” with a heavy, deep organ rage, before Hall started singing. It was here the set ended. The flavorful Wyllys, a DJ and Jennifer Hartswick’s husband, would be following the show so the high-energy of live music had to end. However, Wyllys has an extensive vinyl collection of some of the hottest tunes and with the help of Quincy Jones and other amazing samples, he got everyone back on the dance floor and fully engaged.
A killer beginning to what is going to be a jam-packed weekend of Delicious Soulive rage, the party continues tonight with Jennifer Hartswick and her band coming out for her second night with new special guest unique jazz improvisational keyboardist Marco Benevento. Seriously? The excitement of seeing Marco and Neal together is going to be worth the measly $15 it will l take to experience the musical magic!
Soulive members, the rhythmic Evans brothers Neal and Alan and guitarist Eric Krasno transformed The Brooklyn Bowl from a guitar god’s wet dream to a world of funk and Beatle Mania on the third night of Bowlive III.
However, before the show could start, there were a few adventures I went on that I would like to share. The most silly adventure was first. On Jam Cruise this year, a girl named Harmony held a pet adoption with stuffed animals (mostly sheep) of varying styles and sizes. What first occurred at The Catskill Chill Music Festival on a small scale last summer had now made it’s way to the Jam Cruise world on a large scale. As a result, musicians and their children, like New Orleans trombonist Big Sam (Big Sam’s Funky Nation) and Marco Benevento‘s daughter Ruby, adopted animals. Big Sam adopted a sheep and named her…what else? Harmony!
What’s with the stuffed animals, you ask?
Front row rage with Jessica, Laurie and LUCY!
Jam Cruisers and their animals were all over the Bowlive scene during the ten day residency but Big Sam is the only artists who engaged in the enjoyment of his adopted pet publicly. Before the show, I was with a friend who had brought her lamb, Lucy. We ran into Big Sam and asked about Harmony. He had her in a plastic bag in his hand. Right then and there, Harmony was brought out and Lucy and she “played” and “danced” a bit together before Big Sam took Harmony backstage! Over the run, Lucy (NY), Smiley-Face (MD), Harmony (NOLA), Fluffy (VA) and Jimmy (NJ) would make their way from various parts of America with their adoptive parents to enjoy Bowlive shows from the front row. Big Sam’s Harmony, however, was the only one who engaged in the back stage rage and got to dance on stage. Enjoy the clip:
At the end of the day, this new vein within our scene is representative of the curiosity and connection that we all posses and/or seek. Just as The Karma Wash and Fan Club Headquarters are relevant, so is this fun idea. Amazingly, lots of people have mascots and the addition of this adoption program has spawned multiple mascot meetups and adoptive front row rages around our scene. Be sure to look for a stuffed sheep or mascot near you and share a dance 🙂
Neal Evans (Photo by Phrazz)
The previous two evenings, the trio infused their sounds with special guest southern slide guitarist Luther Dickinson and jazz great John Scofield. On this night, Karl Denson (Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe), Sam Williams (Big Sam’s Funky Nation), and Rahzel (The Roots) graced the stage with their flute and saxophone, trombone and beat boxing, respectively.
The organ-based jazz trio kicked off their set with “Steppin,” off their 2010 Live at the Blue Note Tokyo album and “Uncle Junior,” 2007 Get Downalbum. As the three core leaders of Bowlive, they immediately established that there would be no slowing down. By the middle of “Aladdin,” all three men on stage were fully invested. Krasno was taking his solos at the edge of the stage, sometimes rising onto his toes, while Neal Evans dominated the song with his bass keys and organ play and Alan Evans slammed his drums with ferocity.
Karl Denson (Photo by Phrazz)
Karl Denson was announced as the audience was told that he “just got off a plane and walked on this stage.” Karl Denson is one of the hardest working musicians in the business and his passion for his craft drips off every note he plays. He is a fast, funky band leader who is always consistent in his delivery. “The Swamp” and “Rudy’s Way” followed with Denson choosing to add his flute to the beautifully composed songs. The addition of Karl’s flute to the sound of our favorite trio added another dimension of emotion to the songs. They continued with “Shaheed,” off their 2001 albumDoin’ Something where Karl’s flute provided a softness to the hard-edged song. Krasno raged his guitar till the strings broke and had to change to a new guitar and Neal Evans kicked a drum solo into the audience’s guts.
Alan Evans, Karl Denson, Big Sam, Eric Krasno & Nigel Hall (Photo by Phrazz)
Joining the foursome on stage next was Nigel Hall (The Warren Haynes Band) and Sam Williams (Big Sam’s Funky Nation). There can be no doubt that the danceable and excitable energy that Big Sam brings is something you can’t find in many artists. The New Orleans native, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, danced out on stage with his horn, picked up a stage prop that he had brought (his stuffed sheep named Harmony) and began to dance all around the stage. Nigel and Big Sam began grooving it together and the entire audience couldn’t help but beam over the energy of it all. These are serious performances but it’s ALWAYS appropriate to have a good time and with just his presence; Big Sam will lift any crowd. The powerhouse of funk on stage slowed the rage down for the soulful, “Leave Me Alone,” sung by Hall. Karl Denson changed to his saxophone and kicked us a lightning fast solo to end the set.
Rage (Photo by Phrazz)
Rahzel Set Break Set (Photo by Phrazz)
Straying from the formula of the first two nights, during this set break the audience would not be staring at an empty stage waiting for the first set to start. Instead, Beat Boxer Rahzel, the “Godfather of Noyze,” came out to keep them engaged. Watching the audience react to this amazing addition to the night was almost as exciting as watching Rahzel. Specialize in the “fifth element of hip-hop,” Rahzel’s instrument is himself and a microphone. He is a vocal percussionist who uses his breath, mouth and body to imitate sounds, instruments and voices. He projected unmistakable beats from the Wu-Tang Clan and Run DMC. He became a DJ scratching records, created a buzzing insect around his head and brought Optimus Prime (Transforms) to life on stage with his robotic sounds. His signature song, “If Your Mother Only Knew” is always the highlight of a Rahzel performance. Rahzel simultaneously sings the lyrics and works the beats. It is quite difficult to even comprehend how Rahzel does what he does! AMAZING!
Rubber Soulive Album
Before Beatle Mania could kick off the first set, Soulive joined Rahzel on stage and performed “I Am the Magnificent” and it was just that, magnificent. The entire first half of the second set consisting of songs chosen off Soulive’s latest album, Rubber Soulive. “Come Together,” “Eleanor Rigby,” and I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” The audience sang along to the first song while the psychedelic lights and trippy sounds emanating off stage for “She’s So Heavy” was reinvented through the jazz trio.
Karl Denson, Big Sam, Nigel Hall and Lenesha Randolph (Photo by Phrazz)
Questlove (Photo by Phrazz)
Big Sam, Karl Denson, Nigel Hall and now, Lenesha Randolph (Robert Randolph and the Family Band) joined the stage for “Too Much.” Randolph and Hall sang the up-beat tune while Karl and Big Sam took their turn at the mic delivering some of the hardest, funkiest horn solos that Bowlive audiences will experience this run. They kept up the pace with Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and Questlove (The Roots) replacing Alan Evans, who picked up a guitar.
Full Stage Rage (Photo by Phrazz)
The entire crew of Soulive and their special guests kicked off the end of the set with “Tuesday Night Squad.” Big Sam dominated a 3 minute long trombone rage, Alan was back on killin it on the drums, Nigel was on the Bongos before heading over to Neal where the pair did a little dance, if you will, shifting back and forth past each other to manipulate the various levels of keys that Neal’s kit provides. Hall sang James Brown’s “Beweildered,” a deep, soulful song that required Nigel to reach the top of his range, and then he walked off stage. It was back into “Tuesday Night Squad” to close the set.
Nigel and Neal Rage the Boards (Photo by Phrazz)
There was never really an encore because every musician on stage was so into the music and feeling the audience’s energy that they chose to just play through and give their fans that extra five minutes of music that every audience desires.
In three days Bowlive III had now brought us jazz, soul, psychedelic rock, New Orleans funk, hip-hop and southern-style blues in only three nights. The following evening, the party continued with Karl Denson sticking around for a second night and Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band) joining with her funky trumpet and soulful voice.
($15-$20) John Kadlecik Band (from Furthur, DSO) @ Sullivan Hall
($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
($30) Buster Williams @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
($35) Rebirth Brass Band: Pre-Mardi Gras Celebration with 2012 Grammy Nominees @ Hiro Ballroom
($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
Sunday, February 12, 2012
(No Price Yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Terminal 5
($20-$25) Roy Hargrove Big Band w/ special guest Roberta Gambarini @ Blue Note Jazz Club
($30) Ralph Stanley @ B.B. Kings
($40-$100) An Intimate Valentine’s Concert with Jim Brickman @ Best Buy Theater
($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
Monday, February 13, 2012
($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
($10) An Evening with: Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (9pm)
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($33-$95) Tibet House Benefit Concert @ Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Feat. Laurie Anderson, Antony, James Blake, Tim Fain, Philip Glass, Stephin Merritt, Rahzel, Lou Reed, Dechen Shak-Dagsay
($35) Les Paul Mondays feat. Special Guests Earl Slick (Guitarist with David Bowie) and Lee Rocker (Bassist from Stray Cats) with The Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
($50-$330) Barry Manilow @ Radio City Music Hall
($75-$85) Cedric The Entertainer @ The Beacon Theater
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
(Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
(No price yet) Guns N’ Roses @ Webster Hall
($15-$17) Legendary Meters Drummer: Zigaboo Modeliste’s NY Foundation of Funk Revue ft. Andy Hess, Brian Mitchell, Jonathan Batiste & Jamie McLean @ Highline Ballroom
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science
Thursday, February 16, 2012
($73) John Hammond & John Mayall @ The Allen Room at Lincoln Center
(Free) Taylor Carson @ Rockwood Music Hall
($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($15) Less Than Jake @ The Brooklyn Bowl (Early Show)
($35-$40) Auktyon featuring John Medeski & Marc Ribot @ le Poisson Rouge
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($40-$60) Richard Thompson – Special All-Request Shows @ City Winery
Friday, February 17, 2012
($8) Higher Nebulae @ Sullivan Hall (early show)
($10) Gent Treadly @ Sullivan Hall (part of another band on the bill)
($10-$13) Tall, Tall Trees @ Mercury Lounge
($15) A toga-party with America’s #1 Party Band!: Otis Day & the Knights @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($18-$22) Saul Williams @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($55-$130) Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall
Saturday, February 18, 2012
(Free) Hot Peas ‘N Butter @ Carnegie Hall (45 Minute Children’s Performance)
($8-$10) Skatalites @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($10) CEG Presents: MUN’s CD Release Party featuring MUN plus Pigeons Playing Ping Pong @ Sullivan Hall
($13) The Souljazz Orchestra plus Zongo Junction @ The Studio at Webster Hall
($22-$32) Emilie Autumn @ Gramercy Theater
($30) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($38-$42) Davy Jones of The Monkees @ B.B Kings
($50-$65) Mardi Gras Ball with Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers plus Bonerama w/ special guest Marco Benevento, DJ Cochon de Lait and special guests Outer Borough Brass Band @ Hiro Ballroom
($50-$100) Peter Frampton: Back by Popular Demand! The Frampton Comes Alive 35 Tour @ The Beacon Theater
($55-$130) Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ New York Hall of Science
Sunday, February 19, 2012
($18-$23) Big Gigantic @ Webster Hall
($25) Mingus Big Band @ Jazz Standard
($30) Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
($35-$55) David Sanborn @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($50-$65) Mardi Gras Ball with Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers and Bonerama @ Hiro Ballroom
Monday, February 20, 2012
($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
($15-$18) Jenny Scheinman’s Mischief & Mayhem w/ Nels Cline, Jim Black, and Todd Sickafoose @ le Poission Rouge
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($32-$38) Marcia Ball and BeauSoleil @ City Winery
($30) Les Paul Mondays: The Jon Herington Band (lead guitarist of Steely Dan) and the Les Paul Trio @ Iridium Jazz Club
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
($15) Less Than Jake @ The Brooklyn Bowl
($20-$30) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Christian McBride & Russell Malone @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($25) Tigran Hamasyan & Jason Lindner/Mark Guiliana Duo @ Highline Ballroom
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
(Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
(Free) Cabinet @ Rodeo Bar
($20-$30) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Christian McBride & Russell Malone @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($50-$60) Flogging Molly, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and The Devil Makes Three @ Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom
Thursday, February 23, 2012
(Free?) Gent Treadly @ East Side Billiards
($5-$8) DJ ?uestlove Presents Bowl Train – Late Night DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($20) Phife Dawg (of Tribe Called Quest) and Friends @ B.B. Kings
($25-$40) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: UPLIFT! With Special Guest Dr. Lonnie Smith @ The Blue Note (2 sets)
($25-$45) In-Tune Music Festival: Philip Glass performing Kaddish (7pm)
One of the greatest works to emerge from the Beat Generation was Allen Ginsberg’sKaddish, a sprawling, propulsive poem about the poet’s estrangement from Judaism. The 2012 Tune-In Music Festival will begin with a world premiere, commissioned by the Park Avenue Armory from jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, to be performed by the composer and an eight-piece ensemble accompanying a reading of Kaddish by Ginsberg collaborator Hal Willner and artist Ralph Steadman, who will create the visual design and staging to accompany the piece. (Runs 75 minutes with no intermission)
($30-$35) Sinead O’Connor @ Highline Ballroom
($55-$250) HIAS Regina Spektor Benefit Concert @ Rose Theater at Lincoln Center
Friday, February 24, 2012
($12) Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2 (10pm)
($12-$15) Twiddle / FiKus with Psychedelphia and The Fundimensionals @ Sullivan Hall
($15) Wyllys ft. Jennifer Hartswick w/ Special Guests @ The Blue Note (Late Night Series)
($15) An Evening With The Cast and Crew of: The Adventures of Pete and Pete @ Bowery Ballroom
($25-$45) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass and Patti Smith: The Poet Speaks @ Park Avenue Armory (7pm)
Longtime Glass collaborator Patti Smith and her band join Glass for the second concert, “The Poet Speaks,” performing music and readings celebrating their favorite poets, including Ginsberg and William Blake, which will be the first New York performance for the pair. (Runs approx. 90 Minutes with no intermission)
($30) Hit Squad – Reunion Show: Redman, Epmd, Das Efx, Keith Murray @ Best Buy Theater
($30-$35) Sinead O’Connor @ Highline Ballroom
Saturday, February 25, 2012
($10) Dopapod / Turbine with The Mantras , MiZ , XVSK @ Sullivan Hall
($15) Kung Fu @ The Blue Note (Late Night Series)
($20) Eric Lindell with special guest Otis Taylor @ Hiro Ballroom
($22-$26) Buckwheat Zydeco @ B.B. Kings (Grammy Winning King Of New Orleans Zydeco)
($25) Railroad Earth and Cornmeal @ Best Buy Theater
($30-$50) Tune-In Music Festival: The Philip Glass Ensemble performs his Music in 12 Parts @ Park Avenue Armory (5pm)
For the third concert, The Philip Glass Ensemble will offer a rare performance of the entire Music in Twelve Parts, Glass’s epic minimalist composition which he considers his “breakthrough” work. (Runs a total of 5 hours including two short intermissions and one hour long dinner break)
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom
Sunday, February 26, 2012
($15) Chris Rob: Game Rebellion @ Highline Ballroom
($15-$35) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass performs Afternoon Concert @ Park Avenue Armory (2pm)
The final day of the Festival will begin with compilation of unique artists that Philip Glass has assembled and represent the forward momentum of contemporary music. (Runs a total of 2 hours 15 minutes with one Intermission)
($15-$35) Tune-In Music Festival: Philip Glass’s Another Look at Harmony – Part IV @ Park Avenue Armory (7pm)
The Festival concludes with Glass’s Another Look at Harmony, a choral work Glass started in 1975 for organ and 100 voices, performed by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, the Collegiate Chorale, and organist Michael Riesman, music director and keyboardist of The Philip Glass Ensemble. (Runs 62 minutes with no intermission)
($25-$40) Monty Alexander: 50 Years in Music & 50 Years in Jamaica: A Night at Jillys ft Dee Dee Bridgewater & Freddy Cole @ The Blue Note
($27.50) Marc Ribot’s ” Really The Blues” @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
($30) Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC
($50-$75) An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren@ City Winery
Monday, February 27, 2012
($8) Jim Campilongo Electric Trio with Stephan Crump & Tony Mason @ The Living Room
($10) Erik Deutsch Demonio Teclado CD Release Party @ Rockwood Music Hall – Stage 2
($25) Mingus Big Band @ The Jazz Standard
($27.50) Marc Ribot’s ” Really The Blues” @ Iridium Jazz Club (2 sets)
($50-$75) An Unpredictable Evening With Todd Rundgren@ City Winery
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($15) Bowlive III @ The Brooklyn Bowl: Special Guests: John Scofield & Luther Dickinson
($30-$40) Leo Kottke @ City Winery
($35-$40) Robert Glasper Experiment:With Special Guests Yasiin Bey, Chrisette Michele, Lalah Hathaway & More @ Highline Ballroom
($50-$150) Van Halen with Kool & The Gang @ Madison Square Garden
($150-$170) bjork: biophilia live @ Roseland Ballroom
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
(Free) Nutritious @ Bembe
($15) Bowlive III @ The Brooklyn Bowl: Special Guests: John Scofield & Luther Dickinson
FEEL THAT RAGE! SEE THAT RAGE! ~ Pic by Josh Raskin
Blast Off: Lettuce’s new material leaves Rage in the dust…
Eric Krasno – Guitar
Adam Deitch – Drums
Neal Evans – Organ/keys
E.D. Coomes – Bass
Adam “Shmeens” Smirnoff – Guitar
James Casey – Alto Sax
Ryan Zoidis – Tenor Sax
Eric Bloom – Trumpet
Rashawn Ross – Trumpet
Nigel Hall – vocals/keys
Mel Flannery – Vocals
Alicia Chakour – Vocals
Happy Holiday Rage! Pic by Josh Raskin
As the funk super group Lettuce began the familiar strains of Curtis Mayfield‘s “We’re a Winner,” which morphed, as it usually does, into Mayfield’s “Move on Up” to close out Wednesday Night’s Royal Family Holiday Party at the Brooklyn Bowl, I couldn’t help but laugh because it was a perfect bookend to a new chapter in the life of this fantastic band. This dynamic tune, with Nigel Hall jumping up to deliver some soul shaking melodies on vocals, has been one of the band’s most consistent the last couple years, and it made me think about how far this band has come.
THE MAN! Pic by Josh Raskin
Rewind three and a half years! I’ve returned home from my first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and was itching for great live music to stem the withdrawal tide. I headed to the Bowery Ballroom to see this band I had skipped at Fest because I knew they were playing at home later…and I dug it. Great band, busy, Rube Goldberg type funk (you know, lots of moving parts coming together to make awesome, think of the Charles Mingus track “Moanin'” and you’ll see what I mean), high energy, great musicians, even had this awesome dude come up and sing a few classics, including a great Curtis Mayfield cover. Nice stuff, liked it a lot. Snagged the new (at the time) album, Rage and really liked most of the tracks. It actually spent a lot of time in rotation in the car and the Ipod.
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Get Some Jesus ~ Pic by Josh Raskin
But here is the thing, if you don’t know the Lettuce story, then you don’t get the power of the whole picture. Unlike bands who stay together and tour often like Galactic, the members of Lettuce only gather for small periods of time throughout the year. When you are Lettuce, you record a quick album, maybe you see each other a couple times a year for a few gigs, but that’s largely it, you’re not necessary wood-shedding together a whole lot.
Case in point: On archive.org, Lettuce has eight recorded sets in 2002, one recorded set in 2003, no recorded sets from 2004-2007. None! Then, moved by the passing of James Brown and J-Dilla, the fellas recorded Rage and started out on the road again in 2008. This is not to say these guys aren’t monster players on their own, because they are. But there’s a difference between rocking out with old friends and playing sets with increased regularity, rehearsing and getting into the groove, finding and exploring new places. You gotta know who else is there to really get there! That’s why I like seeing shows at the end of the long run instead of beginning, because players will have gotten a little more comfortable, a little more familiar, and will be able to stretch out. That’s the band we saw on Wednesday night.
James Casey and Ryan Zoidois kilin it! ~ Pic by Josh Raskin
A couple Royal Family Ball throwdowns in New York and New Orleans, a Royal Family Ball tour, two Bowlive runs, the first ever Royal Family Affair (which I sadly missed), two Royal Family holiday concerts, Bear Creek Arts and Music Festival, Jam Cruise, prep for the CRAZY set with Dr. John and Maceo that kicked off this year… it’s been a big couple years for Lettuce. Each performance felt a little stronger, a little tighter, a little more impressive.
With Nigel Hall and Alecia Chakour in the mix, Lettuce can grow to as many as twelve or thirteen folks on stage at a time, and making that sound tight ain’t easy. Some of the fellas putting down roots in Brooklyn really allowed for a base of operations for the group, particularly at the Brooklyn Bowl, and it shows. Lettuce has done more gigging, rehearsal, and playing together than they have done in a while. As 2011 winds down, they’ve started dropping new tunes in shows, tunes that feel deeper and stronger than any of their previous material. Again, I dig Rage, a lot. However, this is no longer old friends putting together some real solid grooves and giving props to the giants who’s shoulders they stand on. Lettuce is now a fearsome unit ready to flex their own muscles.
Mel Flannery and Alicia Chakour ~ Pic by Josh Raskin
The band is tight as hell. Everybody sounds awesome. I was loving Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff leading a couple tunes and laying out a great solo. Adam Deitch is locked in on the drum kit and he and E.D “Jesus” Coomes combine to make one killer rhythm section! The Shmeeans/Deitch beatboxing was HOT as well! Eric Krasno keeps growing, which seems preposterous for someone as good as he is. Neal Evans always brings that extra something to kick the songs up (though as much as I love Neal, the clavinet was a little up in the mix, and I had to abandon my normal front right spot to make sure I could hear the horns). And while Sam Kinninger was missed, the horns did sound awesome, with Ryan Zoidis leading the pack, Rashawn Ross and Eric Bloom on trumpet, and sentimental favorite James Casey (see: ridiculous solo on “Get Back” from Bowlive 1) on tenor. In fact, due to Kinninger’s absence, Casey could be seen upstairs with headphones on learning Kinninger’s parts right up until the show began. True dedication! I would have loved for the band to give the horns some more spotlight. Either way, they were solid as always. Vocalists Nigel Hall impressed the most this night having grown so much as an artist and a dude in the last two years. Alecia Chakour and Mel Flannery are also great additions to the krewe.
I’ve seen these musicians before, but not like this. I kept turning to people and saying, “What?!” The new grooves are chest-thumping, gut-busting, smack the person next to you and say “Damn, that shit is dope!” kind of tracks. “If I Was Jack Spade That Would Be My Theme Music” kind of tracks. KILLIN!! I can’t say it any plainer than this: the new material Lettuce is playing is FIRE! Nasty, literally jaw-dropping funk not to be messed with. Of the five or six songs I heard Wednesday night, four of them would be my favorite track on Rage! right now, and that’s an album I really like!
My advice to other amazing funk/soul/jam bands I know and love, especially when playing anywhere near Lettuce, STEP YA GAME UP! 2012 is a year of a lot of eagerly awaited album releases: Galactic, Antibalas, Soulive + Karl Denson EP, even hip hop legends Black Star are getting into it. But if Eric Coomes’ warning to me on my walk out of the Brooklyn Bowl holds true: “Dude. Wait till you hear the other shit, you don’t even know.” The best one of all could be coming from the Royal Family straight out of Brooklyn.
At last, that blessed day has come.
Set-List: Madison Square, Fast Kraz, Play, By Any Shmeeans Necessary, Last Suppit, Slow Zap, Mean Funk, Slippin’, Dilla, Let it Ride, Kings of the Bergs, GoGo and Makin’ My Way Back Home (w/ Nigel Hall), Blast Off
Words by Russ Agdern Pictures by Josh Raskin Video by Bill Giordano
In it’s fifth year on the musical map, Camp Barefoot 5 provided one of the year’s most positive festival experiences for 2500 music lovers this past weekend at Camp Hidden Meadows, in Bartow, West Virginia.
Welcome to Camp Barefoot!
In an ever-growing music festival world, full of mainstream acts, money grubbing production companies, cookie-cutter designs and investors and promoters who are in it for the wrong reasons, we are lucky when we can find a festival that continues to evolve yet keeps a firm hold to its charm.
The best music festivals do not rely solely on their line-up, their location, or their staff. It is a seamless combination of all of the above that has left a lasting impression on this professional festival goer. I have attended multiple festivals around the world this year and I can’t get around the fact that a festival so quaint could be so satisfying.
Every year just gets better and better. I love how the line-up changes from year to year but still has the local and regional acts that I have grown to love! This is def. one festie you can hit up by yourself and leave with a ton of new friends. ~ MrHarryHood83 on JamBase
The two main (quaint and perfect) stages @ 6am Thursday
When thinking on how to approach this article, I wrote out a list of refreshing and positive points about the fest that became endless. The campers, the location, the weather, lack of cell-phone service, the size, the WONDERFUL staff, the vendors, artists and special large and small-scale musical collaborations. The list went on till I hit about 150 points and put down my pen. I recognized that Camp Barefoot contains everything one might want out of a music festival and that there are aspects of this event that other festivals can’t replicate.
The Atmosphere
The river that runs along the Main entrance and Family Camping. Completely accessible to all who care to enjoy it for whatever reason. Children colored rocks along the water all weekend.
Location, Location, Location: A good drive off the beaten path into the mountains of West Virginia, one of the most important and refreshing aspects of this festival is the location. Once 30 minutes outside of Camp Hidden Meadows, telephone service shuts out. This is such a blessing in disguise for those of us who are addicted to their phones and the internet. Five days of uninterrupted country camping. There is a cleansing aspect felt from the disconnection of this addiction that you feel immediately. There are rivers, walking paths, quaint bridges, and lush green landscape to pop up ones tent.
Thank you Camp Barefoot for the most baller end to my summer I could possibly ask for!!!!!! What a beautiful weekend in the valley, hours away from cell phone service, surrounded by some of my best friends, funky music, and an amazing view!!! ~ Danielle Christenson
You can't help but feel wonderfully isolated and country-fried at Barefoot!
As the name suggests, Camp Hidden Meadows is nestled into a small scale valley which should probably hold no more then 3000 people. Tickets were limited to a maximum capacity of 3,000 people this year. VIP only sold 40 ticket making it a nice, small space to get to know your neighbors. The location of VIP this year was much more pleasant as well. Last year, there was cow poop in many of the fields. This year, I heard a rumor that only just the day before did the poop get picked up manually by staff. THAT is dedication! We will definitely be pumping VIP up with more heads next year after the success of this year’s Barefoot.
So down home and earthy 🙂 (giggle!!) I wanna go back!! ~ Aslan Deacon (Jam Cruise Head Cheerleader)
There is a large on-site lake with a make-shift tube slide that functions as a wonderful amenity for those needing a refreshing cool-down from the afternoon sun (which never got TOO hot) or a shower. Personally, you couldn’t pay me to get in that lake (rumor of leaches and what not) but I enjoyed knowing it was there for fun! It was constantly in use and pleased everyone who entered!
The lake/swimming hole at the top of the hill. I never made it back up once the festival started. (Sunrise, Thursday morning)
One of the greatest aspects of all is the night sky. Camp Barefoot is located 14 minutes away from the World’s largest fully steerable single aperture antenna telescope (http://www.gb.nrao.edu/). The placement of this telescope became knowledge to me while trying to figure out why there were no telephone towers in the area. The placement of this telescope became UNDERSTOOD to me when I looked up into the sky on the second night of the festival. Just…WOW!!
Little ones ran around all weekend. Smiles and giggles abounded.
There are no words that do justice to the spectacular view we were given of the constellations on the second night. I literally hung out by the porto-potties in Family Camping getting lost in the Milky Way and various other galaxies for half an hour until a friend walked by and MADE me move. Another time, I saw five shooting starts in one hour. Barefoot places you in the stars. Literally, there are layers upon layers of stars. Seemingly closer, they practically reached out for me in the moments I melted into them.
Sadly, the stars didn’t present themselves in such a manner on the surrounding nights as they did that second night. However, they still shined brighter and truer then this country-girl turned city-chick has ever experienced. I lost the stars to the bright lights of the urban bustle years ago and it’s one of the things I miss most of country living. If for nothing else, the vision of the night sky from this venue is worth everything it takes to get there.
This monster art piece began at the start of the festival and was finished by the second day. It was also the wall that defined the vendor area's beginning. I tried repeatedly to help them spray paint but alas...
The Dog Element
This guy made sure you had your rager pass before you were let backstage 😉
Dogs are an integral part of the Barefoot experience. Each year, Camp Barefoot walks away with the Rager Award for Best Dog Population. Hands down!! I don’t care who you are, dogs make things better and there are hardly any festivals that allow dogs these days.
Puppy Love!!
It must be noted, especially in the bigger festivals, that our scene has lost its innocence in the canine area. Wookies walk around with aggressive looking breeds on purpose and today’s lot dogs are scary and used for protection and aggressive portrayal. I love all dogs and I try not to discriminate (being an Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor for NYC PARKS and all) but being surrounded by multiple aggressive looking dogs is not something I enjoy. There is no such thing as a scary dog at Barefoot 🙂
At Barefoot, even my girlfriend who can’t stand dogs was loving up on the sweet faces that ran lose over the weekend. There was a tie-dyed pug, a mini-pin in a dress, an enormous Great Dane with Dalmatian markings that towered over young children and numerous muts with bandanas around their necks who literally ran free wearing smiles. Yes, even the dogs smiled this weekend. Barefoot is blissful.
Rolling Stream Rage ~ We spent a lot of time by and in this lovely stream 🙂
Activism
Continuing the puppy love, there were numerous activities held throughout the weekend that promoted fundraising for the Humane Society of Pocahontas County. Currently raising money for their new shelter, this local shelter is in desperate need of donations to provide for homeless pets. Hippie Olympics ($20 a person), Fans Vs Bands Kickball ($30 a person), and the sale of $1 raffle tickets raised over $1000 this year which went toward the building fund.
Hippie Olympics Participants & Winners
In exchange for camper’s generosity, Camp Barefoot hands out phenomenal prizes. The winner of the Hippie Olympics received:
1st place: (2) CB6 “GOLD” ALL ACCESS package passes for 2012, (2) snowshoe all day ski lift tickets, (1) Chapin Matthews Painting, 2) CB5 stickers, (2) William Walter & Co. CDs, (2) DJ Williams Projekt CDs, (2) Funkuponya stickers
2nd place: (2) CB6 VIP passes for 2012, (1) Kevin Vigil painting, (1) XL Williams Walter & Co t shirt, (2) CB5 stickers
3rd place: (2) CB6 general admission tixs for 2012, (1) Rae Vena Painting(1) William Walter & Co medium t shirt, (2) William Walter & Co. CDs, (2) CB5 stickers
4th place: (1) William Walter & Co. small t shirt, (2) William Walter & Co. CDs, (2) CB5 stickers
Precious Rager…
Kickball participants paid $30 and received a backstage laminate (giving you access to the showers backstage and any other adventures one might find back there) and one of the Barefoot 5 Buddha Posters painted by Aaron “AJ” Masthay. Great stuff if you ask me and even better once you recognize that it’s a small festival and you don’t have TOO much competition against you so the possibility of you winning a prize is large!
Finally, as always, the event is kid and Earth friendly featuring a KidZone and waste reduction programs. Over the weekend I saw little one in the river being washed or running across the fields with a towering dog and leash in their hands. There was also Car Pooling movement that numerous friends took advantage of.
A nice Hammock City set up by EMO in the audience field for campers to relax and watch the music! The stages are behind me as I take this picture.
Weather
Clothes Line - simple art piece strung from the tree tops near the third stage. Feel that country vibe yet?
The weather is strange in the sense that it feels as though you run through every season in a matter of hours when the sun goes down. The days are stunningly bright and perfectly sunny but once the sun goes down, within the hour a brisk intense chill takes over and the dew is close behind leaving everything covered in a thick layer of moistness. For those of you planning on attending in the future I suggest you don’t make the mistake I did and be prepared for these changes in the climate. Tank and bikini tops during the day and hoodies and layers for the night!
Just wanted to say thanks to the vendors last weekend also. Great food, clothing, art, and everything else! So much cool stuff to check out, thanks again! Thanks again for my favorite weekend of the summer! Such a great eclectic group of people, music, and art. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work, and thanks to all the bands for bringing it this weekend! Can’t wait to do it again!!! ~ Sean Reville
I am not going to lie, when it rained the second morning a crew of us went to the closet Hilton hotel one hour away for an adventure, a shower and some bad game show network TV until the sun came out. This hotel run was in the plans for a friend of ours before we knew the rain would come. It worked out perfectly as we were able to stock up on things from Walmart for a few vendor friends who needed supplies and campers who threw in a few orders before we left!
View from top of the hill near third stage looking down at Vendor Row! You can FEEL the country in this picture 🙂
Specific Highlights of the Weekend
One of our many delicious in-camp meals! Breakfast: Sliced Bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon with Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs w/ Red Peppers and Cheese. Tortillas and salsa not shown!
Crazy Arrival & THE HIPPIE DOME! There was lengthy debate as to what might greet us upon our arrival. Hillary Dovel, my traveling partner in crime, and I arrived at 4:30 am on Thursday morning. We were greeted at the VIP entrance with a big vehicle blocking the only way onto the grounds. Leave it to me to show up when no one is on duty. I had to snicker at the high level of security. I felt like I was home again. The sense of safety in the South felt good.
We left our car and walked down to the venue which was totally dead except for a few Wooks in the mist that hadn’t gone to sleep yet. It took us some time to figure out which campsite was ours because everyone was asleep and the layout of the grounds was different this year. We found our WONDERFUL hippie palace that had been erected but where were our Ragers? They COULDN’T be sleeping? We tried peeking in tents but that got weird pretty much before we began and so we just assumed this pimped out spot was our home for the weekend and our friends had waited up long enough.
OUR HIPPIE DOME for the weekend! Thanks to John and Eric Way for their hard work! This was the living room and there was a kitchen and dining room off the sides. Epic! Epic! Epic!
Hillary and I choose not to sleep that evening. We spent the hours of 4:30 am to 8:00 am wondering the quiet camp grounds, checking out the space that would be taken over by raging hippies in a matter of hours. It was blissful watching the sun rise over the mountains and casting its golden glow on the green tree tops that create this lovely little dip in the serene The Blue Ridge Mountains. At 8pm, we finally crashed for a few hours. The music began at noon 🙂
Cuddle Puddles Puffathons ~ Lil B
Kickball: Hillary Dovel has been setting up Kickball games quite literally around the world for our wonderful jam community over the past few years. My first experience with her Kickball games was Camp Barefoot last year (EPIC!) followed by Jam Cruise Kickball in Jamaica (SERIOUSLY EPIC). This year, Camp Barefoot Kickball was supposed to take place each morning at dawn (if players were awake) and there was a Fans vs. Bands game scheduled for Friday which ultimately moved to Saturday.
For the Bands Vs Fans game, each Fan put up $30 with the proceeds, totaling $300, going directly towards the Building Fund for the new Humane Society of Pocahontas County Shelter. In return, players received a backstage laminate (accessing you to the showers) for the rest of the weekend and a beautiful Camp Barefoot 5 poster. I encourage everyone to sign up for kickball next year. It’s so worth it 🙂
Sadly, this didn't work at the end of the weekend when we all wanted Camp Barefoot to start over!
This year, there is no doubt that the event was disorganized and this wasn’t anyone’s fault but our own. Being Hillary’s wing lady, I take partial responsibility for literally dropping the ball! We raged it so hard that we failed to promote kickball properly and have already discussed ways to eliminate this problem next year. Last year we were in the same state of rage but we promoted it much more with megaphones and people not liking us so much in those wee hours of the AM. We are trying to find a middle ground to this promotion for next year!!!
Disorganization and lack of energy aside, there was one Dawn Kickball game that found campers sliding in the dew shortly after the sun came up one the first night. As well, a pick-up game on Friday occurred which ultimately took the place of what was meant to be the Bands VS Fans game Saturday. Multiple fans and members of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Segway and The Mantras squared off in a no-rules game of Kickball that had silly hippies giggling from beginning to end. Well, there is one rule…the only rule: NO BUNTING!
Thanks to all the members of the Bands who offered their time to give us such a great laugh as they kicked our butts. There is something really hilarious and wonderful about this event. I hope it continues on and really becomes an integral part of what makes Camp Barefoot a special experience.
The two main stages at night lit up by the wonderful 81 Productions!
Live Painting: I have never seen so many live painters in one spot then I did this past weekend. Jon Blake (Crazyredbeard) (a personal favorite and whose work we just purchased in April at Rock N Roll Resort), Chapin Mathews, Shannon Mordhorst, Jamie Morgan, Amity Dewey (one of my favorite new found artists), G. Scott Queen (who brings an edge and urban flavor to this his art), Kevin Vigil, Rae Vena, Carter Roach, Danny Phillips, and Aaron “AJ” Masthay (creator of this year’s Barefoot gorgeous poster) were all on site and are inspirational to the environment in the moment while painting. It really is amazing and a wonderful treat to buy yourself if you were so inclined and touched by a specific performance.
I think what keeps me painting at shows is the true love I have for the music and for the act of creating art. And what better place to do it then at a concert with a million kids jumping around? I love being able to inspire people with my art; my hopes are that they will go out there and do the same. Everyone is an artist. ~ Jamie Morgan
Live Painting - View of four of the artists!
However, it was entirely too much. Don’t get me wrong, the art work and watching it be created during a live performance is actually very stimulating. In fact, I suppose if I didn’t have a VIP Pass I might just have set myself up in the front row of the general audience near the painters to watch them create. I suppose, the amount of painters didn’t bother me so much as the location they were set up to paint. Set up in the VIP pit, we were forced to dance around them and try not to fall into them. I don’t even drink and I was falling into them at times when I wasn’t raging the rail. It was just cumbersome and slightly annoying because you don’t want to harm their work or their toes. This might be the biggest issue I have with the entire festival and it’s not even something I TRULY care about so that just goes to show ya how great this weekend truly is!!
The beginnings of an audience forming for the music start on Thursday! Just look at that stunning blue sky and green mountain backdrop. Perfect weather also!
The Artists Care: Camp Barefoot is the ONLY musical festival I have gone to where members of other bands playing throughout the weekend are set up within the camping grounds mixed in with the fans. Camp Barefoot is also the ONLY festival where I see members of other bands making their way to the front row to completely rage the rail for their favorite sets. I watched the bassist for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong immerse himself in the culture of the festival all weekend playing kickball and wandering around engaging new people around their camp grounds. Segway’s manager did the same.
The smaller bands are humble and kind and there as much to learn and digest the music as much as they are to perform for their fans. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SEEING this type of involvement. I will always be a fan first and I know how that rail riding feels. But to see other artists doing the same, that is something special.
Music, Sweet Music
Musical Mustache Rage!
Everything at Camp Barefoot screams simplicity and value through it’s small scale. Barefoot delivers the best music their region has to offer by way of the Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland jam band scene with a few special nationally recognized gems thrown in the mix.
Emphasis is on the reflection of the region vs the country’s staple Jam Bands that generally find their way headlining large-scale festivals. It is for that reason I love attending these small festivals. I love finding new talent and recognizing new musicians who are going to open up on our world. I love writing about these groups that never get the coverage they deserve.
The lineup for Camp Barefoot is always littered with wonderful, small scale groups who leave a large impression on all their new listeners. Here are this year’s stand-outs (in my humble opinion).
The Jeff White Band opened up the festival at 12pm Thursday on the main stage. His cover of Paul Simon‘s “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” is what greeted me as I awoke in our wonderful campsite. What a lovely, funky way to rise.
Garry: Guitar and Vocals
Alicia: Guitar and Vocals
Tasha: Stand up Bass, Clarinet, mandolin
David Moo Young: Drums & Percussion
Sol Flo's surprising bassist Tasha Bear
From Ashville, NC, Sol Flo was the first band that made me stop and take notice on Thursday afternoon. Originally an acoustic/folk hip/hip trio, Sol Flo has recently taken on a drummer from Central America named David Moo Young which seems to have rounded out their sound. This weekend happened to be David’s first music festival. Gotta love the virgins….
Sol Flo Guitarist Garry
From where I was standing in VIP Camping, they sounded like a young soulful college band with attitude, delivery and some gnarly funky bass. I prefer a bass guitar line for breakfast so I took myself over to the stage to investigate. I was shocked to see a much more mature band. Siblings Garry and Alicia Bullard provided the positively youthful, soulful vocals and guitar play while Tasha Bear played one mean bass. She surprised me the most. With the utmost respect, she kind of reminded me of my mother, only my mother can’t slap a mean bass like Tasha Bear can!
Family Tree: This rock group reminded me of Guster. Their songs were catchy and fun.
Molly Murphy – Vocals, Guitar, Kazoo,
Sally Murphy – Vocals, Tenor Guitar, Kazoo
Jess Bergh – Percussion, Vocals, Guitar
The Reverend Bill Howard – Vocals, Electric Guitar
Terry Newman/ Remy Duguet/ Lorie Lichtenwalner- Bass
Stanton, Virginia’s The Judy Chops was the first group that got me truly excited. Rightly so, as they are talented members from other bands who have come together to purely entertain. Reminiscent of Django Reinhardt styling one moment and bluegrass hip hop another, The Judy Chops have a refreshing sound and fun concept. They mash songs together or rather “chop” them up and piece them back together to create an exciting musical experience.
In their song “Sex Monster,” I caught at least 15 songs beginning with Bloodhound Gang‘s “Discovery Channel” to Lady Gaga‘s “Bad Romance” to the Talking Heads‘ “Psycho Killer”. Then there was a mix of a Michael Franti‘s “Ganja Babe”, Keller William‘s “Boob Job” and a David Pollard song. After that insanity, they went into a swing-y Ella Fitzgerald tune. It was all over the map.
I gotta say off the top of my head The Judy Chops and Crucial Element were my new favorite find!! ~ Aslan Deacon
Their set was fun, danceable and full of chopped up pop tunes that had the thin crowd smiling ear to ear. As their set progressed, the crowd grew as the music called to them. It’s been a long time since something fun and fresh like this has been put in front of me musically. Their 3-part harmony was smooth amongst the chaos. This band would be killer to hire for a wedding and I mean that in the most positive way! So much fun!
Here is the Sex Monster video. At the very end of the video Jess announces the name of the song and you can hear me scream my response 🙂 I was energized by Sex Monsters.
A member of my camp made friends with the keyboardist’s girlfriend and so we decided to check out this Richmond, Virginia band first thing Saturday morning on the Mustache Stage. Bringing the best Roots and Reggae vibe heard over the weekend, Crucial Element is made up of five musicians who truly get into their music and message as they sing three and four part harmonies with that Reggae fire.
Their female vocalist, ButtaFly Vazquez, was phenomenal! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize true talent. She was absolutely born to sing. Like many bands at Camp Barefoot, Crucial Element handed out CDs, in this instance, Grow, Crucial Element‘s latest CD showing off the newest line-up of the group.
Ross van Brocklin – Vocals, guitar
Max Collins – Vocals, guitar
Aaron Ahlbrandt -Vocals, keys
Chris Coleman – Bass
Sam Cushman – Drums
Kings of Belmont's Sam Cushman
I have to be honest with you friends. I have one live recording from this well-known Charlottesville, Virginia band on my computer that was given to me by someone whose musical opinion I value greatly. I attempted three individual times to listen to the show and each time I was turned off by various things. I just wasn’t connecting with them in the right way.
I have heard such great things so perhaps I had to hear them live? Who knows, but it is specifically for that reason that I made myself go to their set and watch it in its entirety 11pm Thursday night on the Mustache stage. And guess what….I loved them!
They are anything but predictable and that is a great quality to have in a group. High-energy raging rock with some jamming musicality. This is a great thing considering that the bassist on stage was making his debut with the band. With a solid sound, they bring a friendly feeling that one might vibe on from a house band.
I loved how super appreciative they were. They kept saying, “Thank you! We appreciate you guys coming up here. We know we are up against some pretty heavy hitters [Perpetual Groove]. Not only that, we are up THE HILL!!” ~ Hillary Dovel
Personally, I was stoked that this band was playing because I have been losing my grip on Perpetual Groove since last year. The highlight of The Belmont set for me was when they broke out with a stellar cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall”. Wookies slowly emerged from the mist in every direction. It was killer. Their energy was unmatched that night and I was so happy that the option against Perpetual Groove was Kings of Belmont.
Keith Allen – Guitar/Vocals
Marcus Horth – Guitar/Vocals
Justin Loew – Drums
Justin W. Powell – Keyboards/Vocals
Brian Tyndall – Bass/Vocals
Brent Vaughn – Percussion/Vocals
CAMP BAREFOOT MVP’s BABY!!! Only in backwoods West Virginia can you allow a psychedelic rock band to play till 6:45 in the MORNING!!! That is how Camp Barefoot closed out its wonderful four day hippie fest! The Mantras are SO much fun!
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of “creating transformation ~ Thanks WikiPedia
The Mantra's Keith Allen
Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, The Mantras, led by guitarist and vocalist Keith Allen, had two sets over the weekend. Their high-energy first set was during the day, under the sun. I don’t own any Mantra Cds and so I had forgotten about the sound of Keith Allen’s voice. It reminds me of Les Claypool in the way that he has an unusual inflection in all the right, quirky ways. Les Claypool, however, uses a microphone to create his sound. Keith Allen just brings it naturally. His voice may be an “acquired taste” as I heard one fan put it but their sold out shows in their home state prove that it’s a taste that everyone enjoys.
There is also something to be said about a band who takes pride in their light show. I ADORE a good light show. A good lighting director (like Chris Kuroda or Jeff Waful) knows how light triggers our emotions and stimulates parts of our brains. Healing Bear is the name of The Mantra’s light director and he brings that extra layer that every late night show needs. I heard that he was asked by other bands to help them out as well. Gotta love the family sharing vibe.
I saw Keith backstage the last night of the festival and asked him if he was ready to close this mother down. He said he felt great and had made sure to get a good night sleep because he was planning on bringing the fire. That he did.
The Mantra's Justin Powell
Their late night set BEGAN at 4:35am. Amongst their signature, fun-named songs like the bass-thumping “Magillicuddy” and “Metrognome,” there was a killer cover of The Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station.” I was in Vendor Row when this song was being played and the notes trickled down the hill into my ears. I noticed multiple hippies around me spinning. It was a joyful site to behold. The Mantras also threw down a solid cover of London’s progressive rock band King Crimson‘s “Thela Hun Ginjeet.” An enthusiastic set to say the least, bassist Brian Tyndall is always fun to watch as he throws around his black hair and it was a pleasure to see the group with their new keyboardist, Justin Powell who filled the slot nicely.
The Mantras are huge in their region and there is no questions as to why. I could go on and on about thier set however The Mantras are one of the few bands who got recorded so I will let you take a listen and decide for yourself! Enjoy!
Set List: Sweaty Monster Pt. 1, Cairo, The Prelude, Ska Face, Man You Rawk!, Dr. Ssanasinod, Thela Hun Ginjeet, Jabberwocky, Five Roads, Terrapin Station, Magillicuddy, Metrognome.
Walton – Guitars/Vocals
Wolf – Keys/Vocals
Ashby – Basses/Vocals
Bakes – Drums
Hyman – Sound
DJ Possum – Lighting Design
Former Champions was a pleasant find. Or perhaps it found me. My best friend from high school is best friends with the drummer’s wife. Did ya get all that? Needless to say, I had to come give some love to this set and give it more than my usual ADHD infused attention.
This live electronic rock band from Richmond, Virginia took me a few songs to get into but once I got into their groove, I was into them fully. Getting down in the front row and dancing up the sides. Describing themselves as “a modern, high-energy, musical ensemble focused on expressing ideas and emotions through sound and words,” they did just that. They played well-composed songs with on the spot improvisation, which is fine. That is what all jam bands strive to do. However, this bands goal is to influence and inspire the human spirit with their music and I felt it, I really did. I could tell because of the smile on my face, my happy ears and my grooving booty.
Their jamming and dark Nine Inch Nails’ cover of “Closer” was a highlight of this set for me. I am going to say, one of my top five songs of the weekend, hands down. I remember looking around thinking how happy I was to be dancing around all my best girlfriends and I know the music helped fuel my happiness in that moment. The song took on so many meaning in that moment. All bands seek to connect with something and Former Champion’s music reaches out and gets into you. That is their goal and they succeed in that goal.
Eddie Roberts playing around with a stuffed weasel that was thrown on stage
Holy Hell!!! POWER TRIO OF THE YEAR! Barefoot, like most musical events, is subject to a Radius Clause. Due to nature of the clause, bands can not play inside a certain mileage of a previously booked show so as not to draw audiences away from bigger venues. The contract stipulation is an lucky inconvenience for Barefoot due to the Masontown, West Virginia’s All Good Music Festival and Floyd, Virginia’s FloydFest flanking Barefoot’s dates and location.
Personally, I love these contractual clauses for a very specific reason. Do you have any idea how many super groups have been created due to this clause. I could go on for hours but I will just speak on the super group that got plugged this year for Barefoot.
Robert Walters, raging the Hammond....OMG!
Eddie Roberts putting on some psychedelic glasses after someone threw them on stage
First, you got the heavy, soulfully jazzy Hammond B3 organist Robert Walter from Robert Walter’s 20th Congress and The Greyboy Allstars. He is one of my top three favorite organists in our Jam scene. For those of you who were there, I am sure you enjoyed his facial expressions as his music flowed from his body. He is HEAVY with his playing teasing rock, jazz, soul, funk and multiple effects creating sounds only his fingers can find.
Next, you have New Yorker Adam Deitch who was simply born to drum. Keeping bands such as Pretty Lights, Lettuce, Dr. Klaw and BreakSciene on beat, Detich is one of the brightest stars in the drumming community and my homie from NYC. This fierce set reminded me how much I enjoy his talent.
The music and the people made the festival! One of the best parts about Camp Barefoot is every year I feel like something happens (collaboration, sit-in, etc) that is a one of a kind event most likely to never happen again. Perfect example is Walter, Roberts, and Deitch all playing together and THEN Karl Denson running on stage like a kid in a candy store to join in. ~ Cullen Seward
...I liked that it wasn’t a mile walk from main stage to my spot. I left R,W & D to pee and get a beer and was back in like 5 mins! ~ Jeanelle Myers
Finally, you have masterful guitarist Eddie Roberts from The New Mastersounds out of Leeds, England. His energy and styling is fresh, free and his sense of humor is on point. As a dense Wookie in the audience threw a bottle on stage to which Roberts exclaimed, “If you are going to throw bottles, please make sure they are full.” During another point in the performance, both Deitch and Roberts took turns having fun with a campers’ stuffed weasel named “Terrance” that made its way on stage and eventually tied to Robert’s mic by his stuffed tail.
Karl Denson came out to join the party for a song!
This superb power trio had only performed together three times before gracing the main stage on the last night of Barefoot. I was told earlier that they had chosen a collection of rare B-side songs to perform but they had so much fun on stage that they only got through a few. They ended up playing two of Deitch’s songs and a two of Water’s songs. “Flood in Franklin Park” is a Grant Green song which Robert Walter’s made his own. “A-1 Sauce” was a song that I didn’t recognize but Deitch killed it. The entire set was the highlight of the whole weekend. I see massive amounts of live music and it’s not always that I get to see a new group in its earliest creation! You never would have guessed they had only played together three times prior to Barefoot. The set was pure gold.
Kyle Hollingsworth (String Cheese Incident) is one of my favorite keyboardists after Robert Walters and this set was magnificent. You also can’t go wrong with one of the best rhythm sections in America backing you up with Garret Sayers on bass and Dave Watts on drums. YOWZA! The Kyle Hollingsworth Band also played a regular set of their wonderful music however it was this Talking Heads set that left the lasting impression.
The energy from this set was unmatched as famous songs like “Psycho Killer” and “Crosseyed and Painless” made their way through the fields of dancing and singing campers. I weaved in and out of the crowd for this set and it was interesting to see the age differences recognize and not recognize the songs. Just a superb dance party. In those moments, I was so happy that Kyle was bringing this music to the ears of these musical newbies I found in the audience. This is the one set that I wanted to find the most as a download. I am hoping it turns up.
John Staten - THE MACHINE!
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Karl Denson – Saxaphone
Chris Littlefield – Trumpet
DJ Williams – Guitar
David Veith – Keyboards
John Staten – Drums
Chris Stillwell – Bass
Karl Denson gets down for his set!
A saxophone led band, I mean who doesn’t love that? It’s unique and Karl Denson is the hardest working man in the Jam community. Just go follow him around at Jazz Fest in New Orleans and you tell me different. Setting the bar in funk, Karl Denson came on after Roberts, Walters, and Deitch to complete the funky filled night of smiles and dancing. Karl Denson can make you smile before even playing a note. He is just walking charisma.
DJ Williams (DJ Williams Projekt) has been asked to play in place of Brian Jordan while Brian takes on new musical challenges. I was so pleased to see DJ Williams being picked for this slot. He filled Brian’s shoes wonderfully and brought his own style of Virginia funk to the position. Drummer John Staten is SICK!! I mean, what can I keep saying about him? He is simply amazing and stands so grand behind his rig.
If anyone befriended a space ghost or a man with big’ol fake boobies on his chest this weekend, please do get in touch!!! ~ Dave Fullerton
Thank You Camp Barefoot
Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! As a music lover, a music festival junkie and a critic, I can’t give enough love to this festival. A festival that is surrounded by as much love and positivity as is put into it. From the grassroots foundation to the focus on developing bands in the region’s scene, Barefoot is a Diamond in the Rough as far as music, environment and experience goes. There just isn’t a better place to spend your weekend. When the dates for next year’s Barefoot surface, you can be sure that I will be pressuring all my people to attend. I hope that this tiny (wink) review will stimulate you to do the same.
Below is a list of media that I collected while putting together this article. Please give these groups a listen. They are all spirited, high energy, wonderful regional groups from Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland and all deserve your attention. Thank you to everyone who tapes, records and captures the memories of these events.
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 