Teluride 07'

[pjlama]

I just back from the Teluride Blue Grass Festival and man it was good. Thursday morning started with Chris Thile all by his lonesome for an hour, it was a treat especially his rendition Nelly Cane. The house band later that day was one of the best performances of the weekend it featured Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Darol Angor and Bryan Sutton. Edgar stole the show though doing a Rocco Prestia inspired 16th note pedal, arco, under a huge jam. Friday's highlights were Mike Marshall and Hamilton de Holanda, it was great until Mike picked up the mandocello, I somehow lost focus at that point and got yelled at in the vendors booth for playing the Zeta bass too loud. Later, Chris Thile came back this time with the How to Grow a Band band and did a really nice job. Jerry Douglas' set was pretty hot as well. For Saturday since we brought the kids (little, little ones) we hung back unitl later. This killed me because I missed Thile with Edgar which I would have almost killed to see, just ask my wife. Anyway we got there in time for Tony Rice, AK & Union Station with Jerry Douglas. Needless to say they killed and then Mr. Bush came out and set the place on fire. The kicker though was the New Orleans Social Club, although they lacked a mandolin they put it on hard. Earlier in the week I realized it was basically the Meters with Ivan instead of Art no Zig but add Henry Butler and HOLY ####! I was telling anyone who'd listen that the second coming of funk was about to decsend upon them and they should be afraid, very afraid. My buddy who was there said "I'd hate to follow Sam Bush in Teluride" I nearly died laughing. Sunday got pretty mellow but the Rowan & Rice Quartet was great, Peter is just awesome, their best number was In The Pines, they captured the emotion so well. These are just my highlights but there were so many good mandolin players it was crazy.

Best thing - the food, nonstop eating, it was just silly.
Worst - no jamming or very little unless you wandered the campgrounds late at night.

For the MAS afflicted; Teluride Music had a complete selection of Collings stuff, the MF5V I played was really good as was an MTV, they had some Weber stuff too but only a couple pieces but I never got off the MF5V long enough to get to those. On the way home we stopped at Canyon Music in Durango. They had a lot of Weber stuff, 2 mandocellos, 3 octaves, 3 mandolas, a slew of a's and f's. They had a new Bitteroot that was real nice and a cedar Fern that was very good. There was some Collings stuff the best, an MF5 that was a keeper. THey had a Sam Bush that's been there for 4 years and marked down to $6999, it sounded great and for the price someone should grab it. I got to play a Rigel too and there were Big Muddies and just a wall of cool mandos. I'd check these guys out for some cool stuff, nice store.

It was a fun time and I'll be back there next year looking for a mid-day jam, I'll be the guy with the pepto.

[Undercover Brother]

Great update!
Thanks for sending it... one of these years I gotta get back to CO in the summer for that Bluegrass Fest and Rockygrass!!

Chris

[first string]

I was there last year, and it almost killed me not to be able to go again this time around. Especially being that Planet Bluegrass kept sending me email updates every time they added someone to the lineup. Ah well. I'll definitely be back at some point in the next few years.

Although I should add that I didn't have an unmitigatedly great time. There were actually a lot of people engaging in what I thought to be rather rude behavior (especially during Jerry Douglas' set which was in the middle of the day when the audience seemed to be losing focus). Worse still some complete stranger actually vomited on my girlfriend's leg. But the strange thing is that while I remember all the negatives--like waking up at six thirty in the morning to go get in line, only to find that your tent is covered in frost (I've never been so bloody cold)--all those things sort of melt away in my mind, and I'm left remembering only how spectacular a lot of moments were. Despite everything, I think it really does rank amongst the most fun I've ever had. I can't imagine anywhere else where you can hear such transcendent music in such a gorgeous setting.

[bradeinhorn]

MTV? or MT-2V

if MTV - i'd like to see that.

[jefflester]

MTV? or MT-2V

if MTV - i'd like to see that.
I want my MTV!

[jaco]

I was there last year as well. The"great land grab" was getting real old by the fourth day. I never did get a good seat near the main stage. I enjoyed the shows at the town park and the Sheridan Opera House much more. That being said, the scenery is jawdropping. If I go back I'd probably only do one day at the main stage and hit townsquare and night shows.

[jjboone101]

Have always wanted to go to Teluride and will get there some day.

The "land grab" scenario does sound like a pain. I do appreciate the fact that you can get reserved seating at festivals like Merlefest, and anyone is free to use open seats up until 5pm each day. Some call the plan elitist; I call it good festival management.

[AlanN]

MTV? or MT-2V

if MTV - i'd like to see that.
I want my MTV!
You Are Watching MAD-TV.....MAD!

One MAD Magazine recently had a thing where they captured a little square of graphic and you had to guess what it was. One was the Keith Richards Pepsodent Smile and another was a part of "the guy with the mandolin from REM"

I chuckled.

[pjlama]

MT2-V http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandopete]

Empty V?

Where are the photo's?

[racer122]

I too was bummed about the lack of jams. I wandered around with my mando just looking for someone to jam with. Too bad, though there was a really good jam on Friday night in the little park just outside the opera house doors (unfortunately, I was working, and couldn't join in).

The Marshall / de Holanda session was an absolute blast. I was working then too, however, managed to stay nearby for almost the entire show.

I don't know if you caught the Banjos and Fiddles session just before Marshall / de Holanda. Chris Thile walked in mid-show and sat with a group of folks on the wall. It's funny to see someone in a suit in Telluride, though he was in his normal clothing (just not so normal for Telluride).

Billy

[acousticphd]

The "land grab" scenario does sound like a pain

I only just encountered this phenomenon within the last couple of years at some festivals. Why do you/we tolerate it? Or is it the new accepted thing? Why won't promoters enforce a rule that all chairs/etc on the grounds have to be removed at the end of each day?

[jaco]

Magnolia and Suwannee Fests here in Florida move everyones chairs at the end of the shows. (which can last till 1-2A.M. We mossey down the next morning around 9:00A.M. find our chairs (with our names on them) and set them up again. I sat first and second row all four days last spring with no forty rows of "press corps" taking up the front (T-ride does this) If you leave your chair, anyone can sit in it till you return. It's worked for over ten yearrs now.

[John in T-ride]

They/you do have to take the tarps out at the end of every day.I liked Saturday morning's race when the hottie girl ran naked.Fit, Fast and nice tatoos!Best moments- Holonda& Marshall, Stringdusters, Thile,Sutton, Bela, Edgar Meyer. ....Worst- The guy doing the "Puke Angel" then trying to get on the bus.

[racer122]

They/you do have to take the tarps out at the end of every day.I liked Saturday morning's race when the hottie girl ran naked.Fit, Fast and nice tatoos!Best moments- Holonda& Marshall, Stringdusters, Thile,Sutton, Bela, Edgar Meyer. ....Worst- The guy doing the "Puke Angel" then trying to get on the bus.
You saw that puke angel too? I was standing right there (well, on a bike).

That guy had a long night.

[david blair]

I'm a nine year annual veteran of Telluride, and have been featured on the front page of their paper with tarp in hand running 20 yards ahead of anyone and gaining speed. Getting in the front of the line requires teamwork, and getting your neighbors in line to help you too. The line starts around 2pm the day before each of the four days, and requires sleeping in line. Not so bad this year, the weather was nice. I have slept in my bag rolled up in a tarp in the rain...There is also a technique to folding your tarp so it flies open evenly before you dive onto it and claim the corners with your shoes. It's really sport for a lot of old timers! Of course, you can stand or sit pretty much where ever there is room, if part or all of tarp clan is away for a set. This happens a lot during the daytime shows. Then at night everyone crowds in anyway, so it's really not necessary to have a tarp unless you really want to sit in your favorite chair or have a place to hang with your friends. I personally wish they would do away with the tarps. People actually sit in line during Sam Bush's set!
Town Park tickets are the only way to go, allow for camping at the venue, and this is where the jamming goes on. People arrive Friday before to get a good campsite on Saturday morning, and the days leading up to the festival are great for jamming and connecting with friends. Traditions include tropical tues, (a sort of mai tai), #oysters and home brew on tues, "rumballs" (rum/fruit drinks) on weds., a fashion show (the women dress the men with clothing aquired from the town free box), a slide show of years past, Yonder Mountain kickoff concert on weds. night, and then times flies the rest of the weekend with so many great acts.
Sarah Jarosz stole the hearts of many and was accompanied by Mike Marshall and Darol Anger. Thile's how to grow a band was amazing. The Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon reunion, Tony Rice, with Jerry Douglas and Allison Kraus performing lot's of Tony's songs. Peter Rowan, John Cowan singing "California", Sam Bush band doing "Whole lot of love". And Vince Herman cruising through the campgroung at four in the morning with guitar and drunken entourage pouncing on unsuspecting people with a loud and rowdy rendition of "stay awake". I hear he nearly made onto the Yonder bus!
It's more of a party than a bluegrass festival I think. The best bluegrass festival in my mind is in Grass Valley Ca. every father's day weekend. Everyone goes there to pick.

[Don Grieser]

Getting in line at 2 in the afternoon for the next day? Seems like Planet Bluegrass specializes in training people to get in lines. Lines to use the portapotties, lines to get your wristband, lines to get in, lines to get a beer, lines to fill your water bottle, lines to get on the bus, lines to get in line. It's a wonder more people aren't puking. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[jaco]

Doesn't sound a bit odd to be missing the afternoon acts so you can get in line for the next day? Sounds like a dog chasing his tail.javascript: InstaSmilie()

[Rob Wallace]

Don't suppose anyone took a camera? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Justin Carvitto]

The highlight for me was Sutton announcing "The Telluride Debut of The Tensions Mountain Boys."

The show was good too, that was Sunday Night. All straight up bluegrass, All night. Sutton, Jaroz, and the singer for the Crooked Still sat in here and there too.

Glad to hear about town park pickin'. Thats where I'll go next year.

[Phil Jolly]

I was there, and in that jam in front of the opera house Friday night. On the whole though, I was also suprised at the lack of jamming. I snuck into Town Park Saturday night and couldn't find anyone to pick with. Great music on the main stage and being in the front row at the Marshall/Hamilton workshop in the park, 2 feet away, was a life changing experience. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Kevin Briggs]

That land grab stuff sounds pretty tense.

I've been to a few festivals, not a lot. Grey Fox has been the biggest one. They do the same thing Gettysburg does. Whoever gets their on the first day and gets the best seat keeps that seat until they want to leave. I thought the respect for that rule was amazing, and I liked it because the system worked. When it comes down to it, the people who were able to get off work or whatever to get their on Wednesday has the privelage of choosing a seat. It doesn't seem like a big deal to me.

I was able to get to Grey Fox on Thursday in the early evening, right in the middle of Tim and Mollie's beautiful set. I could only put my chair at the very front of the second section, which is probably 40-50 rows back from the stage, up the hill a bit. I didn't have any problem with it, and felt great about just being their. A positive is I could see the whole stage, all of the camping behind and around it, the mountains (fog and all), and the beautiful sunsets. It was just about near perfect.

[racer122]

I was there, and in that jam in front of the opera house Friday night. On the whole though, I was also suprised at the lack of jamming. I snuck into Town Park Saturday night and couldn't find anyone to pick with. Great music on the main stage and being in the front row at the Marshall/Hamilton workshop in the park, 2 feet away, was a life changing experience. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I must have been just a few feet away from you. I was sitting on a bicycle just under a tree (dressed like a police officer) for the Marshall / Hamilton workshop. Were you the guy with the Mandolin Cafe sticker on your mando case?

[Yellowmandolin]

Hey there ksig and racer! #I was at the Hamilton/Marshall workshop as well. #I think my favorite part of the whole set was Gator Stomp... #They seemed to have so much fun up there. #I was in the middle right up on the stage as well. #I had a big goofy cowboy hat and a Calton case with a bunch of stickers, one of which was a Mandolin Cafe sticker. #And I did see that damn cop impressionist! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif # Did you guys see Victor and Edgar hanging out on the stairs to the right of the stage? #

I'll have some pics up soon...

Oh, ksig, did you have a Prucha? If so, I think I played it one night while waiting for the bus... Have to say I'm jealous! Real nice mando!

[Phil Jolly]

Yup, I have the Prucha. Glad you liked it. I remember seeing you with the Calton, was going to introduce myself, but got sidetracked. I thought it spoke volumes that, when they were on the main stage, literally every other performer at the festival came out to watch Mike and Hamilton.

Racer,
Were you the marshall that I talked to for a while on Friday night in front of the opera house?

[racer122]

Phil,
Yep, that was me. I wondered if you were on here, and was going to make a comment about where you work vs. what you play to see if I could find you. But I won't out you like that -- ha.

Yeah, too bad I couldn't join in that jam you got mixed up in (that got to be pretty huge, and I stayed nearby for a lot of it, itching for my mando!)

I liked the guy with the autoharp joining in the jam. I've not seen that before!

[Phil Jolly]

Ha,
Yeah it was a pretty good time. A lot of folks and some good pickers. I loved that banjo player (something I never thought I'd say). Thanks for taking it easy on me, both here and there... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif