Ground Broken

“Breaking Ground” was the theme of last weekend’s incomparable celebration of human creativity that is FloydFest. Here’s how founder/dreamer Kris Hodges set things up: “It’s a joy to see the seed of FloydFest, planted in the deep rich soil of these Blue Ridge Mountains, tending to it along each stage, through sweat, toil, wind, rain and sunshine, and witnessing the fruit that it bears here today. Is it delicious? Is it healthy? Does it have good color? To be honest, sometimes I can’t say. It’s different planting seeds of abstraction, as opposed to those of material substance.” I would say without hesitation that this ninth harvest of the fruits of untold labors of love was bumper crop. Hundreds of musical artists of countless extraction, gifted craftsmen, imaginative vendors of all things delicious, dedicated production crew and staff plus an army of volunteers, all pooled their energy in the midst of record-breaking heat to present an event that’s logically impossible, much like Manhattan is impossible in its complexity and cultural richness. There were aesthetic enhancements in the form of rustic floral plantings, magnificent new pegged-beam stage structures, and the best special effect of all, a full moon on Saturday night. There were hauntingly beautiful young girls in dreadlocks, astonishingly acrobatic stilt walkers and fire dancers suspended from illuminated helium balloons.

Not to mention some of the most varied and tasty festival food you’ll ever find including without a doubt the most decadently rich, melt-in-your-mouth cake donuts ever.

 

And then there were the intrepid campers, seen above at the daily “Church of Clean” services, waiting patiently to rinse away dust and sweat in the Rinnai-heated outdoor showers. A full Floydian experience can only be had by making the commitment to live there, whether it’s in a small pup tent or an often-maligned RV with noisy generator. It was togetherness to the nines and I’ll commend all who braved the hot proximity, including my bride of 31 years who was a trouper in our truckbed tent. Late night breezes and moonlight through the tent flap made for surprisingly sweet dreams.

But FloydFest is powered by the music, and the carefully chosen lineup was as solid as ever, with names like Levon Helm, Old Crow Medicine Show, Grace Potter, Galactic, Railroad Earth, Tift Merritt, Soulive and Mountain Heart. But for us, it was the joy of discovering new voices and this year it happened at the Virginia Folklife porch stage hosted by the genial, steeped-in-tradition Jon Lohman. In a replay of FloydFest 8’s Friday night, there was a site-wide power failure that forced the porch to become an intimate, acoustic, lantern-lit stage for Charlottesville’s stunningly accomplished violinist/fiddler Morwenna Lasko and her guitarist/partner Jay Pun. The magic was enhanced by the fact that we weren’t familiar with these two Berklee grads who mesmerized the reverent crowd straining to hear every nuanced note without the aid of amplification. The bonus is that the duo will play Ashland Coffee and Tea tonight (Wednesday) night at 7. I hope to see you there. Sorry…no pictures….it was too dark! But for us, the fest was off and running. Following are some other illustrated highlights.

FloydFest founder Kris Hodges drumming for Butch Robins’ Imagicnation

Richmond’s own Hot Seats (formerly Special Ed and the Short Bus) hold forth in the Blue Ridge and Beyond Dance tent.

Well-belted blues from Saretta Wesley guesting with Brooklyn’s The Mumbles in the VIP Tent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Same venue…all the way from Stockholm, Sweden…the Rockridge Brothers. Old time music crosses oceans…

 

 

A steamy Dreaming Creek main stage set on Friday from Konono #1 featuring likembe (thumb piano) master Mingiedi. Check the cool vintage horn speaker…low-fidelity at its finest.

The distaff side of Alaska’s (now Nashville’s) Bearfoot, Angela Oudean and Odessa Jorgensen.

 

We’d gotten a heads-up on this inventive band from Jon Baliles…we weren’t disappointed. The Low Anthem plays The Porch. Haunting harmonies and arrangements. And watch their deeply moving claymation video “Charlie Darwin.” Do it!

Next up on The Porch, a genre-bending jam led by resonant baritone Alexis P. Suter and her rock-solid band and backup singers, with guests Bassekou Koyate on ngoni, a small West African lute that was precursor to the banjo, along with local legends Danny Knicely on mando and fiddle rebel Nate Leath. Jon Lohman also bent a few choice notes on his harp. Two back-to-back sets that confirmed the notion that “Porch Is Good.”

 

 

FloydFest afforded an all-too-rare chance to catch Brooklyn’s WIYOS with former Richmonder Parrish Ellis on guitar and vocals. Even rarer now that the band’s disbanding with Parrish going back to school in Asheville. But these guys mined a very rich vein of rhythmic retro music.

The Hoorah Cloggers backed by stringband Farm Use Only high-stepped it in the Dance Tent during Levon Helm’s Saturday night main stage set and put an exclamation point on our FF 9 experience…an early exit was necessitated by Sunday’s Music for Massey benefit back home…more on that to follow. This would be our fourth FloydFest and one can only imagine what Kris and Erika might have in store for the tenth anniversary year in 2011. Lord willing, we’ll be there to find out. Maybe you too? Power props to all who put in so much of their hearts and souls to stage such an ambitious and thoroughly engaging event. Especially production guru John McBroom, who not only played in two bands, Blue Mule and Imagicnation, he was first-responder to the numerous and inevitable “fires” to be expected during high-intensity situations like this. Cool as a cuke…job well done. And thanks to Graves Mountain pal Bart Tuthill for sharing his mountain top perch with us, Jack Cowardin, Barry Lawson, Keagy Parrish and Laura Wortman. Couldn’t imagine a sweeter way to spend our last night in the hills…on a log cabin porch under a full July moon. Or maybe it was all just a dream.

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The long ride home Sunday was justified by the 6th annual Music for Massey/Connor’s Heroes benefit concert at Innsbrook, despite another day of searing heat and humidity that kept attendance down well below expectations. But the intrepid, well-hydrated thousand were treated to one of the most entertaining shows the West End venue has ever seen. Alt-country singer/bandleader/actor (and Simon Cowell’s replacement on Idol?) brought his sequined pink suit, his seasoned band of 25 years and road cases full of wit and charm for his two-hour turn on stage. He was simply electric, obliging with his smash “Wicked Game” and more recent “Bad Bad Thing” along with a scream-laced stroll through the audience to render “Love Me Tender.” What a kick to see a real pro at work. And speaking of road cases, check out this one in Mr. Isaak’s collection once belonging to Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) from the classic rock mockumentary Spinal Tap. Shouldn’t it be in the rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland? I’m just sayin’…

Full credit also goes to our six-year MFM veterans from the West Coast…James, Warren, Chuck and Joe, the Waybacks who gave it all up despite the bulging thermometer. And Louisiana roots rocker Marc Broussard, more acclimated than most to the muggy conditions. It was a seriously good day of music with the only downside being that way too many of you missed it. Thanks to all who came and to Jim Napier and company for pulling it off. Concert promotion’s not for sissies.

So meet me in Ashland tonight for Morwenna Lasko and Friday for the great Jimmy LaFave. Or will it be Cadillac Sky at the Southern in Charlottesville? Jury’s still out…TT

Addendum…

The embarrassment of musical riches to partake of this weekend clouded my vision to the point I forgot to remind you of yet another compelling option…that of the rollicking string band Old Crow Medicine Show doing a hot summertime show right here in R’Town on Friday night.  The venue is beautiful Maymont Park, with gates at 5:30 and show at 6.  Get your tickets here.  Another Haymaker presentation.  And don’t forget Prairie Home Companion with the OAO Garrison Keillor on August 13 at Lewis Ginter.

Christmas in July

It only took picker/songwriter (and Times-Dispatch senior photographer) Bob Brown five years to acquire a his six-stringed holy grail…that’s three years fewer than it took Eric Clapton.  But here he was last week, beaming in Wayne Henderson’s workshop up in Rugby, VA taking delivery of his Henderson #487.  In Bob’s words, “A well-balanced killer that’s a whole lot lighter than my D28. The top is some kind of spruce they used on the old Martins back before the war and the fingerboard and bridge are Brazilian. Back and sides are super mahogany.”  Not sure what it took to grease the skids on this deal but I hear weapons were involved.  Looks like both parties are satisfied.  Congratulations Mr. Brown…can’t wait to hear her sing.

Ready or not…here we come.  I know it’s gonna be much hotter up at milepost 170.5 on the Parkway than it’s supposed to be but what are shade and cool water for?  Not to mention the hundred or so musical entities from near and far who’ll have no problem keeping our minds off such fleeting and selfish considerations as personal comfort.  The ninth edition of Kris & Erika’s dream begins this Thursday afternoon and even if you’re not able to make the full four-day run, at least do a day, choose it carefully and experience one of the most engaging festivals anywhere.  Truly something for everyone.  Here’s a short advance piece in today’s Roanoke Times.  Floydfest rivals MerleFest in the number of artists presented and the number of venues, but it’s a much more compact and intimate experience.  And it’s up on the Blue Ridge to boot…worlds away.  Wear something breezy and come on up.  Break some ground.  (Some shots from last year are to the right.)

Lots of tasty consolation prizes for those staying around home, like Ashland Coffee & Tea’s first ever songwriters’ workshop this Wednesday with Grammy-winner Richard Leigh (remember “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”?)  He’ll talk about tunesmithing and take your questions starting at 6pm and then do a full performance the next night.  Saturday, it’s musical pals BJ Kocen, Jackie Frost, Brad Tucker, Jim Wark and George Garrett, collectively the Gobstoppers. Other surprise guests are expected. These Gobs just can’t be stopped!  On Friday, July 30th one of my years-ago MerleFest discoveries Jimmy LaFave hits the star-strewn trackside stage with one of the most elegant and moving voices you’ll ever hear.  He’s positively hypnotic.  Many many more in store this summer. 

Also this Friday, VCU’s Guitars & Other Strings series continues with the young and gifted 12-year-old mandolin  prodigy Harper Speagle-Price with some fine supporting players including dad Terry along with Adam Larrabee, Barry Lawson and Jack Cowardin.  Harper just got back from Tristan & Tashina Clarridge’s Mt. Shasta music camp out in California, where she reportedly rode in the back of Tim O’Brien’s pickup truck with Sarah Jarosz.  If that’s not motivational…I mean really.  Harper should be seriously pumped.  Concert starts at 7 in the Singleton Center at 922 Park.  Call 828-1166 for info.  If you’ve got money to burn and a need for more maturity, there’s always Merle Haggard at the National…same night.  Still bringing the goods at age 73.  And on August 7th you have another shot at that tunefully dynamic duo Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein at C’ville Coffee on Harris Street downtown.  A new venue to check out for sure.

Last but emphatically not least, we’ll be back from our FloydFest odyssey just in time to make the 6th annual Music For Massey benefit this Sunday, moving to Innsbrook this year from the Science Museum to allow for the bigger numbers expected for headliner/heartthrob Chris Isaak along with Marc Broussard and our West Coasters who’ve made every one, the Waybacks.  Should be a memorable mix….gates at 3p, show starts at 4.  After posting, the 10th one of you to email me at tim@timtimberlake.com will have two free tickets waiting at will call.  Deal?  Deal.  See you somewhere…please!  Best way to beat the heat.

TT

(Richard Leigh and Chris Isaak photos from their Websites)

ROMP Wrap

Thrillingly complex and intricate harmonies with breathtaking moving chords wafted over the intent crowd both nights at Yellow Creek Park, thanks to Dailey & Vincent on Friday and the incomparable Isaacs (Rebecca, Sonya and Ben above) on Saturday. Hearing a capella singing at that level is a powerful experience and we were treated to a double dose last weekend in Owensboro. 

We were also treated to a great set from Frank Solivan’s Dirty Kitchen that I’d been anticipating since Graves Mountain when Lincoln Meyers told us about his new ride.  An already tight, accomplished quartet with compelling material, creative arrangements and some of the most captivating closings for their tunes that you’ll hear out there…definitely not your stereotypical bluegrass endings.  Banjo master Mike Munford is a joy to hear and bassist Stefan Custodi is son of former Church Hill friends George and Sandy…small world.  Check out their new eponymous CD when it comes out in August for some really tasty new bluegrass, especially “Driftin’ Apart” and “Runaway Ramp.”  Guests include Rob Ickes, John Cowan and Moondi Klein.

It was a delight to see and hear Claire Lynch again…it had been too long, and she’s enjoying a well-deserved career boost thanks to her high-charting CD Whatcha Gonna Do.  Highly coveted bassist Mark Schatz is in her band now, also bringing his clawhammer banjo prowess and his fancy footwork.  Claire couldn’t resist taking a turn or two.  Does anyone remember when we had a reunion of her Front Porch String Band on the porch of the Bloemendaal House at Lewis Ginter over twenty years ago?

So I hope my first River Of Music Party won’t be my last and I’m grateful to the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s director Gabrielle Gray for having me out to emcee.  The museum is a wonderful living and breathing celebration of the music, where it’s been and where it’s going, that deserves our support.  And I treasure my quality time with the music’s most dedicated custodians, Pete and Kitsy Kuykendall of Bluegrass Unlimited.  That’s Hall of Famer Pete holding an impromptu seminar with members of the young band Rockin’ Acoustic Circus.  Invaluable insight.

Down the road, the Haymaker boys are bringing Old Crow Medicine Show to Maymont on July 23rd and the Summer Love tour of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion at Lewis Ginter on August 13th.  And don’t forget the ramped up Music for Massey benefit this year presented by Connor’s Heroes with Marc Broussard, those west coast wonders the Waybacks and alt-country crooner Chris Isaak.  That’s on Sunday afternoon/evening July 25th at Innsbrook so we’ll have to hustle home from our annual trek to FloydFest up  on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This year’s theme is Breaking Ground and the lineup is nothing short of amazing…Levon Helm, OCMS, Grace Potter, Tift Merritt, Mountain Heart and a hundred more…really.  Check the link and join us for a truly over-the-top musical and cultural celebration.  There’s only one FloydFest.  I’ve re-posted some shots from last year in the column to the right.

John Patykula at VCU has announced another fine lineup for the Guitars and Other Strings series, starting this coming Friday the 9th with the excellent Brazilian band Quatro na Bossa. Follow the link and see 'upcoming events.’ Jesse Harper and his bluegrass renegades Love Cannon (comprised of Jesse,  Darrell Muller, Adam Larrabee and Andy Thacker) are holding forth at the Southern Cafe just off the Mall in C’ville every Wednesday night this summer.  Got to catch that action soon.

Tomorrow, we’re headed for the Barn…at last. Can’t wait!

TT