Hardly Strictly Bluegrass: September 30 - October 2, 2011
Festival Notes
Kathy O’Shea
Friday, September 30th begins as an amazingly pretty day in Golden Gate Park: sunny, breeze starts gently around noon. These are extremely biased, subjective notes and partial set lists.
Bill Kirchen - Banjo Stage
Hot Rod Lincoln - Bill’s version is a history of rock n’ roll guitar styles, from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Howlin’ Wolf to Elvis.
The Times They are A’ Changing - Homage to Dylan.
Maxim Ludwig and the Santa Fe Seven - Arrow Stage
This band is comprised of young and intense rockers, a la the Rolling Stones.
This is Not What I Wanted - Angst-ridden tune.
Just a Little Bit of Rock n’ Roll - Guitarist tunes up and down during the song.
Here’s To...(?) Great lyrics include “here’s to the nights we never made it home.”
Seldom Scene - Banjo Stage
Five older (my age or so) gentlemen; traditional bluegrass band with nice harmonies.
110 Degrees in the Shade (John Fogarty)
I Know You Rider - WC’s comment, “It’s the first version of the weekend.”
David Bromberg Quartet - Banjo Stage
Had to leave my man early to see a client, only heard:
Nobody Knows the Way I Feel (this morning)
Robert Plant - Banjo Stage
Fought my way back through the wickedly crowded scene by following behind two quick, young men balancing beers. Buddy Miller and Patti Griffin onstage, backing up the master. WC’s comment, “He’s still Percy...”. Lots of Led Zep tunes done slow and cool.
Satisfied Mind
Black Dog
Kind Woman (If the sun refuse to shine...)
Drowning Child (Patti with great vocals)
Hey, Hey Mama (?)
In the Mood
Misty Mountain Hop
Shine Your Love (?)
Ramble On
Saturday October 1st was almost as beautiful as the previous day. Hiked to the festival from home on 20th Avenue, took about 30 minutes. Insanely crowded from morning to evening. This year, it was no longer feasible to drift from stage to stage between acts, though many still tried. Lots of interference from cell phone chats and groups who should have just gone to a bar, cafe or club with their friends. I know, I know: when I was their age I’d do ANYTHING to make the scene. Still, it was stunning to witness such utter disregard for others (not to mention the music), along with truly strange behaviors like trying to navigate a Buick-sized baby stroller down a hillside jammed with bodies. Where is Child Welfare when you need them?
Hugh Laurie - Towers of Gold Stage
PBS aired a documentary last night about his lifelong love affair with the music of New Orleans. Funny to hear his native British accent, so different from his TV character, “House”. Hugh Laurie’s a great pianist, plays the guitar and sings - his style and taste remind me of T-Bone Burnett.
Battle of Jericho
Careless Love - “This song is so ancient nobody remembers who wrote it...”
I Will Crawl Out of Here (?) - Slow, bluesy gospel tune.
Swannee River - Mystical-sounding version.
Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard - Star Stage
Are you kidding? These two are legends, looking good considering all they’ve been through. Kris starts solo, then introduces Merle as “the best singer-songwriter since Hank Williams”.
Pancho and Lefty
Think I’ll Just Stay Here Today (?)
Me and Bobby McGee - KK solo, invokes Janis after the line, “feeling good was good enough for me...”
Big City Turn Me Loose (?)
Folsom Prison - awesome duet!
Silver Threads (?)
Help Me Make it Through the Night - “take the ribbon from your hair...”
Mama Tried
I Married a Hippie” Good tune, but could not make out the lyrics due to distance from stage and crowd chatter.
KK solo - “He’s a Walking Contradiction...”
Take Me Back to Tulsa
Working in Tennessee
Sunday Morning Sidewalk
As red-tailed hawks circle overhead, Merle introduces “a song in honor of the marijuana capital of California” - Okie from Muskogee - Sample lines: “If you’re 70 you should be able to smoke anything you want, drive on the wrong side of the road etc.” “We get drunk like God wants us to...”
Lord Help Me Jesus
Merle ends on a vamp, saying “Thank you for your time” - Attendees were a screaming mob by this point.
Irma Thomas - Star Stage
Band started with Superstitious, introduced Irma as “The Soul Queen of New Orleans”; she’s had a long career and her voice sounds wonderful.
Love Don’t Change (People Do)
Let It be Me
In the Middle of It All
You Can Have My Husband, But Don’t Mess with My Man
Hip Shaking Mama
I’ll Never Break Away From You (1963)
Time Waits for No One (flip side, 1963)
Time is on My Side
(?) Come Back (1961)
True Love - “is like a chunk of gold...”
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now)
Sang one a cappella, sounding strong and smooth -”I just can’t get used to losing you...”
Irma advocated for breast cancer screening, including mammograms for men - “You’ve all officially been ‘Pinked’...”
Done Gone Over
Iko Iko - Irma encourages everyone to wave a white shirt, handkerchief or whatever, and “put your backfield in motion”.
Simply the Best (recorded at Slim’s in 1991 - big hit)
Steve Earle - Banjo Stage
Was reaching saturation point by now, and spent the rest of the day wandering - only heard one or two of his tunes with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. People were jammed against the sideline fence, occasionally chased away by security.
The Flatlanders-Arrow Stage
Until I Make Up My Mind (and go away...)
Midnight Train
Right Where I Belong
Man on a Pilgrimage (?)
Would You Love Me If I Wander Back
The Highway is My Home
Robert Earl Keen - Rooster Stage
U.S. Blues
The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends - what a perfect way to finish the day!
Sunday October 2nd: Serious now - I have an agenda and am determined to see the cream of today’s crop, as defined by personal (perhaps questionable) standards.
Buddy Miller - Towers of Gold Stage
Roll Around Heaven All Day (?) (like that lucky old sun...)
Baby, Baby, Baby, Baby - Introduces Patti Griffin
Gasoline and Matches - a religious experience for all who’ve ever been in love; showcases Joel Guzman on button accordion.
Shelter Me Lord - “It don’t matter where you bury me, I’ll be home and I’ll be free; all my tears/sins will be washed away...”
Sea of Heartbreak - Introduces Robert Plant, who says “Buddy Miller is the savior of my legitimate career...”
Going Away (?) or No Way; Go Away - Hot number.
Burning the Midnight Oil - Introduces Emmy Lou Harris, who pitches Senior Dog Rescue.
Journey On (?), Halfway Home/Wide River to Cross
You Can’t Judge a Book by Looking at the Cover - “I may look like a farmer but I’m a lover...”
Take Me Somewhere Trouble Don’t Go - “Make me someone trouble won’t know...”
Dr. John - Star Stage
People, he hasn’t changed in many years - ponytail a little longer and more silver, that’s all.
St. James Infirmary - Slow, latin beat; wonderful version.
My Buddy (?)
Burn Your Candle on Me
Right Place, Wrong Time
Devotchka - Star Stage
We got to see our friend Carole Tuminello outside the perimeter of the Friends and Family section - then retreated to the morass of humanity. This band is awesome: seems like they were meant to play this venue. Style is gypsy, Middle European, gorgeous - I can’t identify the songs, but will list the instruments played:
Accordion
Tuba
Synthesizer
Acoustic Bass
Violin
Drums (traditional kit plus congas)
Guitars (every kind you can think of)
Balalaika
Theremin
Something that looks like a bass Mandolin
The vocals by bandleader Nick at times sound like yodeling, a la the Western Swing high, lonesome sound - haunting and beautiful. Whistling is matched by the violin. They are a band of virtuosos: find their CD or better yet, go see them live.
Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Banjo Stage
Okay, here we go: this group is the quintessential HSB act. At the Devotchka stage, a young man (noticing my note-taking) asked who I’d recommend to see next: I said go see Ralph Stanley because he’s about a hundred, and may not be around much longer. Actually overheard this young man tell his friends, “let’s see him, he’s about a hundred...” I have no idea how old he really is, but mention was made of the Stanley music spanning 65 years.
Worried Man
Man of Constant Sorrow - Ralph introduces his grandson: “He’s 19 and never been murdered - I mean, married. Same thing; with one you’re gone right now and with the other you kind of ooze away...”
A Little Boy Called Joe
Clinch Mountain Back-step
Oh Death - A cappella, haunting tune. “Oh death, won’t you spare me over to another year...” Band member commented “you’re in good voice today” - Ralph says, “Your fingers are in good voice today...”
I Wish I’d Been There When She Was a Girl (?)
John Henry
Right Strangers (Great Strangers?) - Gospel tune in 3/4 time; Ralph says “recorded that 45-50 years ago, still our most requested song...”
Run Molly Run - Racehorse song
Glory Land
Long Black Veil
Going Down the Mountain
Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms
White Dove
Orange Blossom Special
RS announced a Stanley Family Bluegrass Festival in Virginia over Memorial Day weekend, 2012.
The last few (partial) acts were seen on the way home.
Dark Star Orchestra - Arrow Stage
An attempt to clone the Grateful Dead, including two drummers with Bob Weir, Donna Godchaux and Jerry Garcia look-alikes. Oh, and the crowd seemed to have leaked in from a time warp, despite being young. Did a nice set of GD songs.
Emmy Lou Harris - Banjo Stage
The Jayhawks - Rooster Stage
Sounded like a modern version of the Byrds.
Left Golden Gate Park with the crescent moon rising; deep sighs and glorious musical memories: God save Warren Hellman.
