During a momentary pause after a wild "Truckin" here again behind the fence barricade I listen for the next song. (this is probably one of few moments that DSO doesn't transition into another song) Its been an intense 2nd set, one full of powerful musical tangents. Early in the set is "Scarlet Begonias" with its wa-wa pedal guitar that leads itself into "Fire On the Mountain" an appropriate pairing being that the guitar remains with the effect (and that whole caribbean sound of the grooves).
"Not Fade Away" with its lengthy excursion probably takes the cake in terms of jams. The prettiest however in my opinion is "Wharf Rat", there is a certain yearning within the melody that is haunting as well as solitary.
"St. Stephen" a song that is from the early Dead repertoire appears appears before "Not fade Away" and is revisited after "Wharf Rat".
Donna Jean joins DSO for "Good Love" (and stayed through the end of the show), quite a departure from the plight of musical explorations thus far in the second set. But one knows with the Dead, the formulaic set lists are designed more so as ventures rather than anything else. The depth of playing is vast within 2nd sets of the Dead more so than in 1st sets.
Its officially August 1, Jerry's Birthday the band pronounces this fact and deicates the song, "Don't Let Go". The song goes into double time at the end while Kadlecik's guitar wanders off through obscure harmonies. You can hear the keyboard comp in the same vein in the same obscure key. I realize how tight this band is. The song slows and seems that it will end, trailing like a musical stream of consciousness, a description not to far from how many would describe Jerry's style, I'm sure. The tune appears again in the original tempo as it comes to an end.
A very appropriate ending is delivered a cappella, "I Bid you Goodnight" a trademark of Dead shows.
Lastly DSO mentions that the show is a replica of the November 6, 1977 Binghamton, N.Y. show.
Goodnight Vibes, see you tomorrow...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Day One Comes to a Close
What a great day one, short by Vibes and festival standards, but a real nice taste of whats to come the next three days. Groovesect started the day with some New Orleans funk and we ended with an amazing set by Dark Star Orchestra. When you close your eyes and not look at who is on stage, its almost eery how much they sound like the Dead from the 70's. But anyway, you can look for Jess' words on the subject. Here are my final shots for the night, see you guys tomorrow.
Lester's Woodstock Story (oh, and DSO's first set)
Dark Star Orchestra began their first of two sets at 9 pm for an enthusiastic crowd. As I sit behind a fence barricad in my comfortable yellow chair the opening bars of Mississippi Half Step, bring me back to listening to "Wake of the Flood" on vinyl in my apartment.
Joining me by my side during "Tenesse Jed" is a man by the name Lester, whose introduction was in the form of a suggestion. Lester told me to move my chair up closer to the fence so that no one may obstruct my and now his, view any further. I agree, a conversation pursues. I am transported back to Yasgur's farm 1969, where my new acquaintance arrived a week before (and stayed a week after as well) the historical Woodstock festival was to take place. Lester tells me he was hired amidst 10 other men as a garbage man for the going wage of 35 dollars a day. As the hype insued over Woodstock's appeal so did the overall expected crowd number.. Half a million people to 10 garbage men. In order to keep the men interested in the job after hearing this incredible number, the wage was raised to 80 dollars a day.
Lester talks of the beauty that captivated him as he gazed upon the farmland pre-festival. He speaks of the mud that accrued from persistent rains and he also speaks of the Dead's set. I share my limited knowledge of the time in bits and pieces. The Grateful Dead did not sign release forms for their performance, as they did not feel it was not up to par. I ask Lester how he felt about the Dead at Woodstock, he said he sat upon the top of a truck and watched as the rain and wind almost blew over the stage, nevertheless impressed . He tells me the stage crew had to cut the tarp in order to allow the wind passage. He remarks that he doesn't have a bad word to say about any Dead performance. Lester later adds that he is an experienced concert goer very impressed with the magnitude to which Gathering of Vibes is produced by Ken Hayes.
Here I am sitting listening to stories of an era that I could only employ imagination to and yet I have a man, a perfect stranger that is recounting his experience of it for me, a welcomed surprise. The coming together of Deadheads remains an integral parts of the Grateful Dead's legacy, one in which I have been included tonight with the company of my new Deadhead friend Lester. To the sounds of DSO, I am the recipient of factual recounts pertaining to the Dead.
As the setlist moves to include "Me and My Uncle', and "Mexicali Blues" "New MingleWood Blues "Bob Weir's 'compositional subsets' as Lester calls them, I become enthralled with the uncanny resemblance between Eaton's and Weir's voices. I need not look up at the stage or screen, there is a fusion that is credible to not only my ears but my eyes.
As I view the stretch of people in front and around me I realize how much I am enjoying this moment. The weather has cooled alot, the night is filled with the sounds of DSO. and those who love them - I don't know what else I could ask for right now.
My personal favorite within DSO's first set is "Music Never Stopped". Lisa Mackey's striking rendition to Donna Jean's thick middle ranged voice is stellar as is and Rob Eaton's to Bob Weir's. As the last minutes of the first set are filled with guitarist's John Kadlecik inspired solo I am truly blown away. Thank you DSO... and Lester the chiropractor!
Joining me by my side during "Tenesse Jed" is a man by the name Lester, whose introduction was in the form of a suggestion. Lester told me to move my chair up closer to the fence so that no one may obstruct my and now his, view any further. I agree, a conversation pursues. I am transported back to Yasgur's farm 1969, where my new acquaintance arrived a week before (and stayed a week after as well) the historical Woodstock festival was to take place. Lester tells me he was hired amidst 10 other men as a garbage man for the going wage of 35 dollars a day. As the hype insued over Woodstock's appeal so did the overall expected crowd number.. Half a million people to 10 garbage men. In order to keep the men interested in the job after hearing this incredible number, the wage was raised to 80 dollars a day.
Lester talks of the beauty that captivated him as he gazed upon the farmland pre-festival. He speaks of the mud that accrued from persistent rains and he also speaks of the Dead's set. I share my limited knowledge of the time in bits and pieces. The Grateful Dead did not sign release forms for their performance, as they did not feel it was not up to par. I ask Lester how he felt about the Dead at Woodstock, he said he sat upon the top of a truck and watched as the rain and wind almost blew over the stage, nevertheless impressed . He tells me the stage crew had to cut the tarp in order to allow the wind passage. He remarks that he doesn't have a bad word to say about any Dead performance. Lester later adds that he is an experienced concert goer very impressed with the magnitude to which Gathering of Vibes is produced by Ken Hayes.
Here I am sitting listening to stories of an era that I could only employ imagination to and yet I have a man, a perfect stranger that is recounting his experience of it for me, a welcomed surprise. The coming together of Deadheads remains an integral parts of the Grateful Dead's legacy, one in which I have been included tonight with the company of my new Deadhead friend Lester. To the sounds of DSO, I am the recipient of factual recounts pertaining to the Dead.
As the setlist moves to include "Me and My Uncle', and "Mexicali Blues" "New MingleWood Blues "Bob Weir's 'compositional subsets' as Lester calls them, I become enthralled with the uncanny resemblance between Eaton's and Weir's voices. I need not look up at the stage or screen, there is a fusion that is credible to not only my ears but my eyes.
As I view the stretch of people in front and around me I realize how much I am enjoying this moment. The weather has cooled alot, the night is filled with the sounds of DSO. and those who love them - I don't know what else I could ask for right now.
My personal favorite within DSO's first set is "Music Never Stopped". Lisa Mackey's striking rendition to Donna Jean's thick middle ranged voice is stellar as is and Rob Eaton's to Bob Weir's. As the last minutes of the first set are filled with guitarist's John Kadlecik inspired solo I am truly blown away. Thank you DSO... and Lester the chiropractor!
Donna Jean and the Tricksters
Donna Jean and the Tricksters set the mood high for the first evening of Vibes. As I watch the sun descend the sky, the wind picks up, slightly blowing Donna Jean's signature long hair behind her in a picturesque way as she stands at the center of the stage. What is noticeable among Donna Jean and the Tricksters is a mutual respect and sharing of music. Blending Dead repertoire with original songs their set moves easily on, closing with a blues number with Dark Star Orchestra's Rob Barraco sitting in on keyboards (at least I think so sitting here in the media tent writing this). Solos taken around the band develop the songs' forms into riper versions, transitioning from tamed tempos of early rock and roll to their roaring counterparts in due time.
Reminiscent of her years with the Grateful Dead is Donna Jean's laid back and patient stage presence during jams and lengthy solos. Wendy Lanter is the background singer, whose contributing upper harmonies on "Across the Universe" is what made the song special for me. By the time they arrived at the chorus a third voice is added, exposing the thoughtful arrangement's beauty.
Donna Jean Godchaux - Vocals; Jeff Mattson - Vocals, Guitar; Mookie Siegel - Vocals, Keyboards; Tom Circosta - Vocals, Guitar; Klyph Black - Vocals, Bass; Wendy Lanter - Vocals; Dave Diamond - Drums, Vocals
Reminiscent of her years with the Grateful Dead is Donna Jean's laid back and patient stage presence during jams and lengthy solos. Wendy Lanter is the background singer, whose contributing upper harmonies on "Across the Universe" is what made the song special for me. By the time they arrived at the chorus a third voice is added, exposing the thoughtful arrangement's beauty.
Donna Jean Godchaux - Vocals; Jeff Mattson - Vocals, Guitar; Mookie Siegel - Vocals, Keyboards; Tom Circosta - Vocals, Guitar; Klyph Black - Vocals, Bass; Wendy Lanter - Vocals; Dave Diamond - Drums, Vocals
BuzzUniverse Closes the Solar Stage Thursday
BuzzUniverse closed the Solar Stage Thursday, playing to a small but lively crowd who caught a treat of a set. I think in a year or two BuzzUniverse will be taking on one of the main stages of Vibes, despite a smaller crowd, they played their asses off, sweating well through their shirts and rocking out with the sun beating hard on their faces. This is my third time seeing them, but certainly wont be my last.
Groovesect Photos
Do not forget to scroll down below the photos for Jessica's mini-review of the Groovesect set...
Groovesect
The late afternoon sun was not the only thing burning up Seaside Park, site of Gathering of the Vibes 2008. The five piece "Groovesect" with their cutting edge nac for insatiable grooves and pure funk proved just as firey.
Groovesect's musical journey, rich in elements of contemporary jazz, soul and funk infuse their set list with nonstop groove to their audience's delight. Playing tracks from their recent 2007 album, "On the Brim" ( featuring Fred Wesely, former James Brown Band leader) "Groovesect" tirelessly showcases their ability to transition from bold compositional lines to inspired improvisations.
In "Right on Red" a new composition meanders through a slower spaced, loose groove. A guitar solo eventually spirals into climax and the arrangment comes to head with a more pronounced groove, faster tempo and more insistent phrasing.
Groovesect's saxophonist switches the character of the horn section from a heavy funk baritone to a more fluid alto, accordingly. "Moving Along" with its contemporary jazz feel features flute and guitar lines in unison an interesting combination.
No need for lyrics with this band, their funkiness inspire and communicate a groove like no other.
Groovesect's musical journey, rich in elements of contemporary jazz, soul and funk infuse their set list with nonstop groove to their audience's delight. Playing tracks from their recent 2007 album, "On the Brim" ( featuring Fred Wesely, former James Brown Band leader) "Groovesect" tirelessly showcases their ability to transition from bold compositional lines to inspired improvisations.
In "Right on Red" a new composition meanders through a slower spaced, loose groove. A guitar solo eventually spirals into climax and the arrangment comes to head with a more pronounced groove, faster tempo and more insistent phrasing.
Groovesect's saxophonist switches the character of the horn section from a heavy funk baritone to a more fluid alto, accordingly. "Moving Along" with its contemporary jazz feel features flute and guitar lines in unison an interesting combination.
No need for lyrics with this band, their funkiness inspire and communicate a groove like no other.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
We're Ready to Roll...
Well the speakers are up, the lights are set and we're ready to go. With less than 24 hours till the 2008 Gathering of the Vibes, everything seems set for another great festival. These will be the last pictures taken of the stage without people both on and in front of the stage. Make sure to stay tuned to this blog during the fest for set recaps/reviews, pictures and hopefully some videos, different than from the web cast.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Printable Schedule - PDF
We've uploaded a printable schedule for both stages of this years vibes, which you can download here
Watch Vibes From Home
If you can't make it out to Seaside Park for this years Vibes, there will be an online web cast, click the image to the right to watch. Here is a tentative schedule...
Thursday, July 31st
8:00 - 8:45 - Reid Genauer, Solo Acoustic (2002)
8:45 - 10:15 - Deep Banana Blackout (2007)
10:15 - 11:45 - moe. (2000)
Friday August 1st
12:00pm - King for a Day
1:25pm - American Babies
2:50pm - Ryan Montbleau Band
4:15pm - Porter Batiste Stoltz
5:40pm - Assembly of Dust
7:10pm - First Set of DSO (from Thursday night)
9:00pm - Deep Banana Blackout
10:45pm - The Black Crowes
Saturday August 2nd
11:00am - Alternate Routes
12:45pm - Strangefolk
2:30pm - New Riders of the Purple Sage
4:15pm - Bill Kreutzmann Trio
6:00pm - First Set of DSO (from Thursday night)
7:30pm - Groovesect (from Thursday night)
9:00pm - Phil Lesh & Friends
Sunday August 3rd
11:00am - Organically Grown Gospel Choir
12:15pm - Jackie Greene
1:45pm - TBA
3:15pm - Donna Jean & the Tricksters (from Thursday night)
4:45pm - Umphrey's McGee
6:30pm - The Neville Brothers
Directions for Campers, Non Campers and Single Ticket Holders...
Each one of these is an image, so right click and save it to your computer to print. Safe travels!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday Update - Three Days Left...
A lot of work got done in the last two days, including the setup of a second stage, lights on both stages, the VIP tent has been populated with very comfy couches and the VIP viewing platform, which is much closer to the main stage than it was last year, so those lucky VIPs this year should be very happy with the closeness to the stage (see picture below).
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Weekend Setup Update...
Setup continued over the weekend, did not get up there today (Sunday) but was there yesterday and you could see the stage getting setup in front of the band shell and some of the tents being put up, including the sound booth and the VIP tent.
Friday, July 25, 2008
CONNpost.com - "A heads-up for Gathering of the Vibes"
A little pre-festival press from the Connecticut Post, giving some pre-fest planning ideas...
"The Gathering of the Vibes is returning to Bridgeport's beautiful Seaside Park for a second straight year July 31 through Aug. 3 and will feature a variety of big-time musical acts, as well as a full slate of local performers.
The festival was founded as a tribute to the late Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, so naturally there are a few acts coming that spun off from that band - such as Phil Lesh & Friends, The Bill Kreutzmann Trio and Donna Jean and the Tricksters....
6 Days and Counting...
Went up to Seaside Park after work today to see what progress had been made and as you can see below, quite a bit of progress has already happened in just one day. I left the park at around 8pm and the guys (and gals) were still working. With only 6 days until the Thursday kickoff, there is a lot of work left to be done, but seeing how hard these guys are working Vibes should kick off on Thursday with no problems.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
