Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
More Dark Star Orchestra Pictures
Going to be uploading some more pictures I took from the weekend, some might be repeats but I do not believe so.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Saint Bernadette Video Clip
There should be another clip or two from the Solar Stage in the next few days.
The Nevilles Close Vibes 2008
Reminiscent of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the closing set of the 2008 Gathering of the Vibes is by New Orleans legends the Neville Brothers. Keeping their first several songs to a maximum of 5 to 6 minutes each, their set moves nicely through "Fiyo on the Bayou" and "Tipitina". "Tipitina", a Professor Long Hair original is set to a fast dynamic tempo with a dominant bass guitar. "Fever" is covered by Aaron Neville on vocals with his smooth velvet like voice. "Big Chief" (Professor Longhair) is poised mid set with roaring conga playing by Cyril Neville.
"Everybody Plays the Fool" and "Tell It Like it Is" are two standards from Aaron Neville repertoire that are well received.
"It Don't Mean a Thing" (a nice choice in my opinion) is arranged with a latin groove followed by the highly syncopated "Giacamo" and "Filo Gumbo". "Yellow Moon" is set to a reggae beat, with sultry saxophone work by Charles Neville. "When You Go to New Orleans" features thick slap bass guitar playing and funks it way to the close of the set. The official last song of the evening is a tender rendition of "Amazing Grace" tastefully done by Aaron Neville. The song transitions into a cover of Bob Marley's "One Love".
"Everybody Plays the Fool" and "Tell It Like it Is" are two standards from Aaron Neville repertoire that are well received.
"It Don't Mean a Thing" (a nice choice in my opinion) is arranged with a latin groove followed by the highly syncopated "Giacamo" and "Filo Gumbo". "Yellow Moon" is set to a reggae beat, with sultry saxophone work by Charles Neville. "When You Go to New Orleans" features thick slap bass guitar playing and funks it way to the close of the set. The official last song of the evening is a tender rendition of "Amazing Grace" tastefully done by Aaron Neville. The song transitions into a cover of Bob Marley's "One Love".
Family Trucks Soul Stew
Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, husband and wife duo whose eclectic range of blues and soul music is far reaching in today's music scene, took the main stage at 3:15. Trucks' (Derek Trucks Band, Allman Brothers Band) stylistic guitar playing is fluid, original and ingenious. Listening to his solos one can hear a logical progression of of thought and skill - ideas transforming into articulate phrasing, a definite sign of musical maturity. Tinged with a clean vibrato effect his signature playing is never far from recognition. Tedeschi balances this with her effortless and distinct vocals. With her mild vibrato and mix of blues inflected riffs she can sing her way through any progression. Her strength as a vocalist is multiplied by her solid skills as a blues/soul guitarist. Tedeschi's rich voice blends with Mike Mattison's (Scropomatic, Derek Trucks Band) beautifully. A surprising "Hey Jude" cover closed their electrifying set.
Umphrey's
This is now my third time seing Umphreys McGee, so it will be tough to really talk about them and their songs while sounding like I know what I'm talking about. Like most jambands, unless you're a true fan it can be tough to tell if they played 3, 7 or 15 songs in a set. Umphreys is certainly a jam band, but not a typical one, their sound is a bit harder/edgier with long guitar riffs infused with deep drum and bass lines. Their jams are soothing than, say, the Dead or Phish, but more like Zappa, which I was exposed to the first time Friday night with Zappa plays Zappa. With the sun beating down as hard as it has been all weekend, Umphreys McGee took the stage and have jammed their butts off. We are about an hour into their set and I'm not sure if they've stopped once. While some jambands loose me after too long of a jam, Umphreys seems to find a way to get me back in right when my mind is about to say "BORING!". Most importantly, the crowd is dancing and not slowing down despite a long weekend of great music.
Sunday (The Last Day) Organically Grown Gospel Choir, Saint Bernadette
The first performance of the day on the main stage is the "Organically Grown Gospel Choir" led by the dynamic Andrew Gromiller. Rousing the vibes tribe with words of praise, deliverance and love, this choir parades through their set vivaciously. A highlight of the performance is an added a cappella section led by Jen Durkin, (deep Banana Blackout, The Durkins, Equinox) showcasing her solid talent as a soloist. Two of the choir's youngest members are a percussion player (probably age 9 -10) and 21 year old saxophonists Sam white. On the song, Revival in my Soul" a trombone solo is featured adding a nice flavor to the more traditional sounding gospel songs.
Saint Bernadette took the Solar Stage today at noon. They are a 5 piece, Bridgeport based band whose roots lay in alternate rock. Vocalist Meredith DiMenna delivers her lyrics with boldness and forthrightness. Powerful double - time playing proceeded a couple of the final cadences of Saint Bernadette's songs, elevating the intensity level and the fun of the performance. The addition of slide pedal guitar allowing S.B. to explore different sound options along with clever electric guitar playing, makes me look forward to hearing more from this powerful and intelligent band.
I also spoke to a members of Caravan of Thieves who played the Solar Stage yesterday right after the stages were restarted due to the rain. Unfortunately we missed their set because of the confusion. Talking with Brian, I learn that Caravan of Thieves hails from Bridgeport and is a fairly new formation. Their sound can be characterized as 'gypsy pop'. Their first CD is set for release September or October.
Saint Bernadette
Look for a video clip of Saint Bernadette tonight or tomorrow.
Saint Bernadette took the Solar Stage today at noon. They are a 5 piece, Bridgeport based band whose roots lay in alternate rock. Vocalist Meredith DiMenna delivers her lyrics with boldness and forthrightness. Powerful double - time playing proceeded a couple of the final cadences of Saint Bernadette's songs, elevating the intensity level and the fun of the performance. The addition of slide pedal guitar allowing S.B. to explore different sound options along with clever electric guitar playing, makes me look forward to hearing more from this powerful and intelligent band.
I also spoke to a members of Caravan of Thieves who played the Solar Stage yesterday right after the stages were restarted due to the rain. Unfortunately we missed their set because of the confusion. Talking with Brian, I learn that Caravan of Thieves hails from Bridgeport and is a fairly new formation. Their sound can be characterized as 'gypsy pop'. Their first CD is set for release September or October.
Saint Bernadette
Look for a video clip of Saint Bernadette tonight or tomorrow.
Sunday Morning Choir With Andrew & Deep Banana
Last day here in Bridgeprot, but a great day its going to be. Wanted to make sure we got up here for the Organically Grown Music Choir and I'm glad I did. Andrew Gromiller with most of Deep Banana Blackout really brought some great Sunday morning vibes to the Vibes. Whether you are a religious person or not, their energy and soulful singing gave me goosebumps, b/c to me it doesn't matter what they are singing out, its about how they sing it. And for someone (me) who has spent quite a bit of time at the Gospel tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the O.G. Gospel Choir could easily headline that stage.
A Little More Lesh
It is a tradition here at GOTV to feature 2nd generation Dead bands. The Mickey Hart Band as well as Ratdog were featured last year. This year it was Phil Lesh and Friends. Lesh and Friends started their set with "Here Comes Sunshine". A typical trait of the Dead is musical wanderings that eventually and skillfully lead from one sound world into a another. Towards the end of the "Here Comes Sunshine" Phil takes a solo that segues the song into "Good Love".
"Cumberland Blues" features blustery guitar playing of Larry Campbell. Its two step groove is morphed harmonically but remains recognizable within the variations it becomes subject to. The jam lasts about 15 minutes or so before the return of the droning bass line of the original song. "Dire Wolf", short in length stays in the same 'country dead' mode. "Loser" with its solitary lyrics builds slow and is well represented within the nuances of Greene's voice. "Cold Rain and Snow" closed the first set.
After a lengthy set break Phil Lesh and Friends return with "Scarlet Begonias". An unexpected, "All Along the Watchtower". "He's Gone" with its medium tempoed groove and three part harmony is a Dead song where the vocal harmony comes as close to perfection as any Dead song can. "He's Gone" leads into "Going Down the Road Feelin' Bad", which builds up tremendously as each refrain is visited, especially with the help of Theresa Williams on backing vocals. "Wharf Rat" has become a favorite of mine - glad they included it.
Keeping alive the spirit of the Dead under the wing of Phil Lesh is a talented group of musicians on the edge of experimentation. Watching glow sticks sail through the air in random shapes over the crowd adds to the spirit of GOTV. The vibes tribe is appreciative of the special moments that Phil Lesh and Friends help to bring about. As the night grows late the energy of the crowd grows stronger. And as the magic of the setlist's spacey jam becomes recognizable familiar hits like, "I Know Your Rider" and "Box of Rain" appear, demonstrating the vastness and appeal of the Dead's repertoire.
"Cumberland Blues" features blustery guitar playing of Larry Campbell. Its two step groove is morphed harmonically but remains recognizable within the variations it becomes subject to. The jam lasts about 15 minutes or so before the return of the droning bass line of the original song. "Dire Wolf", short in length stays in the same 'country dead' mode. "Loser" with its solitary lyrics builds slow and is well represented within the nuances of Greene's voice. "Cold Rain and Snow" closed the first set.
After a lengthy set break Phil Lesh and Friends return with "Scarlet Begonias". An unexpected, "All Along the Watchtower". "He's Gone" with its medium tempoed groove and three part harmony is a Dead song where the vocal harmony comes as close to perfection as any Dead song can. "He's Gone" leads into "Going Down the Road Feelin' Bad", which builds up tremendously as each refrain is visited, especially with the help of Theresa Williams on backing vocals. "Wharf Rat" has become a favorite of mine - glad they included it.
Keeping alive the spirit of the Dead under the wing of Phil Lesh is a talented group of musicians on the edge of experimentation. Watching glow sticks sail through the air in random shapes over the crowd adds to the spirit of GOTV. The vibes tribe is appreciative of the special moments that Phil Lesh and Friends help to bring about. As the night grows late the energy of the crowd grows stronger. And as the magic of the setlist's spacey jam becomes recognizable familiar hits like, "I Know Your Rider" and "Box of Rain" appear, demonstrating the vastness and appeal of the Dead's repertoire.
Sunday Morning with Some Phil Lesh Shots
Setlist From Philzone.com
Set 1:
*Here Comes Sunshine>
*Good Lovin'
*Gone Wanderin'
Cumberland Blues
*Direwolf
Loser
Cold Rain and Snow
Set 2:
*Scarlet Begonias>
All Along The Watchtower> Jam>
*He's Gone>
*Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Wharf Rat>
Spacy Jam>
Elevator> Jam>
The Eleven>
*I Know You Rider
Not Fade Away
Donor Rap/Intros
enc:
Box Of Rain
Set 1:
*Here Comes Sunshine>
*Good Lovin'
*Gone Wanderin'
Cumberland Blues
*Direwolf
Loser
Cold Rain and Snow
Set 2:
*Scarlet Begonias>
All Along The Watchtower> Jam>
*He's Gone>
*Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Wharf Rat>
Spacy Jam>
Elevator> Jam>
The Eleven>
*I Know You Rider
Not Fade Away
Donor Rap/Intros
enc:
Box Of Rain
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