The Masters…

Offering up a fitting finale to the indescribable four-day music fest at Telluride…Luke Bulla, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Bryan Sutton…the “House Band.” I say indescribable because words or pictures can’t capture the spiritual and mystical experience that’s happened for the last 36 summers in a nearly 9000-foot-high box canyon in Colorado’s San Juan mountains. It was our sixth pilgrimage since 1988, and possibly the sweetest, having passed the 60-year mark and finding that shared moments with some of one’s favorite musicians and my cherished wife and daughter, are among life’s most countable blessings.

The veterans all proved why they continue to inspire, and the newcomers underscored that the music’s in very good hands and why this festival draws fans from all over the world, as this map illustrates. Doing this event justice is impossible…all I can do is present some shots that I hope might motivate you to make the journey if you haven’t, or at least give you a sense of what makes it special…

…like having Tim O’Brien and Jerry open things up on Thursday with a well-chosen hour of memorable tunes.

Or the Lovell Sisters’ high energy follow-up featuring the youngest and first female MerleFest mando contest winner, Rebecca.

Country-rock phenom Zac Brown, who recently packed Brown’s Island in Richmond with a record crowd, crossed one entry off his bucket list by having Jerry join him on stage.

 

Former Bill Monroe Blue Grass Boy Peter Rowan has personified the boundary-stretching attitude that pervades the Telluride experience since the Old and In The Way days. Us old timers still thrill to “Midnight Moonlight” and “Panama Red.”

 

 

 

Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris and Shawn Colvin swapped songs with the singular assistance of Buddy Miller as Three Girls and Their Buddy.

Speaking of boundary-stretching, Thursday night’s finale featured Talking Heads’ innovator David Byrne and his entourage of singers and dancers all clad in white, with what many festival veterans called the most spectacular set they’ve ever witnessed on the Shellman Stage. No argument from me…an unexpected pleasure in every way. And that’s just the first day’s worth…

Bluegrass meets string quartet in the refreshingly fabulous Crooked Still comprised of cellist Tristan Clarridge (look out for his other group, the Bee Eaters at In Your Ear this fall), fiddler Brittany Haas, Corey DiMario on bass, Dr. Greg Liszt on banjo and the mountain-fresh vocals of Aoife O’Donovan. Watch for their brand new live album.

Two revered members of the 30-Year Club jammed it out during the John Cowan Band’s fine Friday afternoon set, the Cow and King Sammy. John charged out of the gate with former NGR bandmate Bela Fleck sitting in for “Callin' Baton Rouge.” The current JCB roster of Shad Cobb on fiddle, John Frazier on mandolin, Bryon Larrence on drums and beloved compadre Jeff Autry on guitar is as strong an ensemble as the “Voice of Telluride” has ever put together.

Festival first-timer and Rilo Kiley rocker Jenny Lewis and her solid backers won new hearts in the high country after snagging none other than Elvis Costello for a few tunes ahead of his own set to follow.

Her pointed songwriting and Jaggeresque stage presence validated the high anticipation level for this energetic set.

 

 

With a tip of the purple fedora, Elvis took the stage Friday night with a cadre of acoustic all stars, collectively the Sugarcanes, including Jerry Douglas and Jim Lauderdale (above) along with Stuart Duncan and Mike Compton, to play tunes from his new T-Bone Burnett project Secret, Profane and Sugarcane. Did you see them on the Tonight Show Tuesday?

Our first treat on Saturday just past noon was provided by Chris Thile’s Punch Brothers, (Jerry guesting) playing to a wildly-enthusiastic rain-soaked crowd. They served up a brilliant tribute to bluegrass music’s most influential bands including founders Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers, along with the Seldom Scene (Critter did “Through the Bottom of a Glass”), Hot Rize (“Shadows In My Room”), NBB (“Old Devil’s Dream”), and even “See Rock City” from Bela’s benchmark Drive album. And they had a LOT of fun doing it…payback for all the woodshedding that made it possible. Very impressive.

Dobro master Douglas then launched his own set with soaring instrumentals and a few heart-rending vocal numbers thanks to multi-talented Luke Bulla, who graciously honored my earlier request to do “The Suit.” That song tears me up every time I hear it, whether it’s sung by Luke or James Taylor.

“Good evening music lovers!!!” Sam Bush’s trademark stage greeting on Saturday night prepared The King’s loyal subjects for a far-ranging two-plus-hour performance that included old chestnuts, and a sentimental new tune co-written with Jeff Black, “Circles Around Me” about the blessings of making it to 60 with old friends and good music. A parade of old pals joined in the love fest, including Pete Rowan, Emmylou, Chris Thile and then John Cowan blew us all away near the end when he, in glorious falsetto, snuck in to render the Stones’ “Just A Shot Away.” And the crowd went wild. Sam Bush for Entertainer of the Year. It’s time.

All too soon, it was Sunday and it began in a seriously soulful and spiritual way, thanks to powerhouse Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue. Backed by a thunderous band with horns and Hammond B3 and the sensational McCrary Sisters, Mike held church amidst the towering snow-capped cathedrals surrounding Telluride. Don’t miss this act if they’re ever near. Amen and amen!

A compelling mix of the best of two musical generations, collectively the Works Progress Administration (WPA) next offered up some of the most moving new tunes of the weekend, thanks to former Nickel Creekers Sara and Sean Watkins, Glen Phillips and Luke Bulla. They were backed by a quartet of very well-seasoned players including keyboardist Beaumont Tench and Greg Leisz on pedal steel. Well-crafted songs of the heart lovingly presented. CD out in the fall.

We first heard renegade tunesmith Todd Snider at Telluride back on ‘02 and we’ve savored his fearless and often funny songs near home at AC&T a few times. Although for reasons unclear, he cut his set more than 20 minutes short (and didn’t do “Beer Run”) he had a good time sharing new material from his latest CD The Excitement Plan. Todd is Todd.

 

 

Our hero Tim O’Brien returned for his own signature set Sunday afternoon with the A-list support of Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton and Dennis Crouch. And it was all the more moving to see the impressive turnout of adoring young minions sitting up front to continue drinking from Tim’s prolific musical fountain…Sarah Jarosz, Sara & Sean Watkins, the Greencards’ Carol Young, Aoife O’Donovan and all of Crooked Still, and ALL the Punch Brothers.

 

Chris Thile was even moved to grab Sara Watkins’ hand for a turn or two on the dirt floor up front when Tim O broke into “Get On Up And Dance.” It was a tender reunion, one of among many at this remarkable gathering of kindred spirits.

 

Country music Hall of Famer Emmylou Harris loves Telluride and the festivarians’ feeling is mutual, so she’s been a regular for years. 

 

After many guest appearances over the weekend, she returned for her own turn late Sunday afternoon with a trio of players that again included our old Virginia friend Rickie Simpkins on mando, fiddle and backing vocals. The dream gig continues and it fits like a glove. Play on Rickie.

 

So my longest post to date comes full circle with the capstone set from the Telluride House Band from 9-11 Sunday night. Collaboration and camaraderie at the highest level. It was a more than fitting finish to four days of sun and starshine, rare mountain air, majestic scenery and music that gets no better. For fans of Conor Oberst, Railroad Earth, the Greencards, Kasey Chambers, The SteelDrivers, Gaelic Storm, and others I failed to cover…I apologize. I couldn’t do it all.  And thanks to Chris Eldridge who introduced me to his pal Ed Helms (Andy Bernard from “The Office” who goes way back with fellow banjo player Chris Pandolfi)…just there for the music.

Take a bow boys, along with festival director Craig Ferguson and the countless staff and volunteers who make this celebration of life such a profound experience. The gratitude will linger until we meet again.

TT