Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

[pickles]

http://www.strictlybluegrass.com/

[Michael H Geimer]

What a line-up! I can't wait.

Now folks ... I know this is a downtown festival, and different rules need apply, but I've been sorely dissappointed by the lack of jamming at this event. There is ample room around the Speedway Meadow to wander off and start picking circles, picking parties, even picking picnics! This is our chance to show the Metrosexual/OBWAT/iPod crowd what *really* goes on at BG festival. "Bring yer axe! Bring a song!", I say.

- Benig

[mad dawg]

Are you suggesting that Metrosexual/OBWAT/iPod status and Bluegrass are mutually exclusive? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif


(BTW, what is OBWAT?)

[Michael H Geimer]

Nope. (As all of those adjectives might be easily pinned on me ... well, not the iPod)

From my jaded perspective, I see way too many set of headphones, and way too few instruments around town.

Last year at HSB, I was the *only* person I saw carrying an instrument. People looked at me and smiled for sure, but in way that suggested ,"How quaint".

Hmmmmm .... I wonder what Big Mon would have to say about iPods, or Metrosexuality.

" That ain't no part of nothin'! "

[Michael H Geimer]

(BTW, what is OBWAT?)

Oh' Brother ...

[mad dawg]

Oh. Thanks Brother... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mad dawg]

Hmmmmm .... I wonder what Big Mon would have to say about iPods, or Metrosexuality.
iPods were a bit before his time, but he was a bit of a sharp dresser in his day, wasn't he?


BTW B, I guess I should have stuck in a smiley face with my first post in this thread so you knew I wasn't dogging you or taking offense to your post. (Although I guess I do fit into two of the three categories as well. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif /#http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif )

[Michael H Geimer]

No smiley needed ... I got the tone. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandopete]

Great line-up! No camping? Good luck!

[Michael H Geimer]

Hey ... plenty of people camp in Golden Gate Park every night!

[pickles]

What I need more than a picking circle off to the side, is some space staked out within sight of the main stage. #We traveled 3 hours to get there, last year, and the kids were restless -- yeah, partly because of the long car trip, but mostly because they couldn't see. #I don't mind it so much if all I can see is a sea of people, but I can't stand it when all I can hear is my kids whining, "I can't see!" Oh, brother! #But we're small-town, small-crowd people, spoiled by small festivals where it's easy to see and the camping is legal. #Nevertheless, the line-up does look great, and having been born in SF I tend to go around thinking I have some kind of native right to ride the cat on the carousel, swing on the round swings, and get a great seat at HSB. #So here's my plan: some of you folks who are living in my city get there early and stake out a nice piece of real estate, I get there when I can, bringing the red Sonoma wine in respect to Kate Wolf and as my contribution to the efforts, and we jam between sets. I promise my kids won't whine if we can see the stage, and I'll give them a good walk to shake off the road cramps. #And how, you might ask, will I know you, so I won't be wandering through the crowds crying, "Where art thou?" #Easy! #I'll look for the Metrosexual/OBWAT/iPod people with the quaint mandolins.

[wah]

Last year was pretty crazy on Sunday. At about 1pm huge numbers of people started arriving - everybody wanted to see Willie. I wandered away from the crowd to the second stage and sat down with the other twenty-five people to watch Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum put on an excellent show. Saturday wasn't nearly as crowded. The first year only about 500 showed up - and I was all worried about the crowds.

I'm going again, maybe this time I'll bring my mando. But I did see several people with their axes last year, especially mandos.

Wayne

[pickles]

Yeah, I made it there last year during Hazel Dickens, and hoped to make it through to Emylou Harris but the Willie crowds wore the kids out. We're really not happy in large crowds. Maybe it's worth my while to hold out (and save up) for small festivals. But I'm waiting to see this year's schedule, and if some of the people I'm most interested in wind up playing on the same day, and off the main stage, I'll be there.

And wasn't there a reggae festival or something, not far away, last year? Which didn't make the crowd situation easier to negotiate. I see that SF Shakes has left GGP & moved to the Presidio. This from their website:

Festival Executive Director Toby Leavitt admits that the parting is bitter-sweet. "This was a soul-searching decision," she says. "We positively adore Golden Gate Park and have fond memories of our years performing there. However, performing Love's Labour's Lost last year to the unintended accompaniment of Duran Duran suggested it might be time to move on."

[mad dawg]

Here is the (not exactly) "short list" of confirmed performers, but the days, times, and stages are not yet set:

Tom Armstrong
Audrey Auld
The Barnburner Cloggers
Ray Bierl Trio
The Blind Willies
The Bootcuts
Dale Ann Bradley & Coon Creek
Alison Brown
Greg Brown
Carolina Special
Guy Clark
The Crooked Jades
Hazel Dickens
Donner Mountain String Band
The Drew Emmitt Band
Dry Branch Fire Squad
Steve Earle
Jimmie Dale Gilmore
The Gourds
Emmylou Harris
Ginny Hawker
Hot Club of Cowtown
Hot Rize
Jon Langford's Ship and Pilot Band
Robert Earl Keen
Jimmy LaFave
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum with the Guest House Band
Nick Lowe
Claire Lynch
The Del McCoury Band
Buddy and Julie Miller
Lynn Morris
Mountain Heart
Mountain Laurel
Tim O'Brien
Old Crow Medicine Show
Ollabelle
David Olney
The Peasall Sisters
Perfect Strangers
John Prine
Red Meat
Reeltime Travelers
A.J. Roach
The Peter Rowan & Tony Rice Quartet
Saddle Cats
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys
The Waybacks with Darol Anger
Gillian Welch
Kevin Welch & Kieran Kane
Jesse Winchester

[carolynbeth]

Wow, what a lineup. Wish they'd have something like this down in southern Cal...

Carolyn

[dasspunk]

This is, IMHO, the best fest in CA. I went last year just for Greg Brown and Gillian... Fantastic fest. I would agree with Benignus, not a lot of picking going on but I saw a few. The lack of camping and the killer lineup kinda kills the picking I suppose. Other fests with suspect lineups (eg. Strawbery) and camping are better for picking...

I'd be up for hooking up with some other cafe folk though...

[duuuude]

Holy cow, whata killer lineup, that place is gonna be wall-to-wall people! Get up there early, I'd say.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[mandopete]

Yeah, what he said!

[Bluegrass Boy]

I'd say that this is one of the best festivals anywhere. There really is nothing like it anywhere that I'm aware of. I mean, where else does one of your rich neighbors put on a two day show for free in the park with some of the best in the bluegrass world? Yeah, there's not really a jam scene. There's lots of other places for that. Last year I had to force myself to walk away from Gillian Welch to go see Tim O'Brien. Tough choice, but kind of illustrates the wealth of musical riches available at the festival.

[wah]

Pickles,

Yes there is a Reggae Festival in Sharon Meadows the same weekend. Two years ago I had won tickets to the Reggae show on Sunday. I left in the middle of Laurie Lewis, went to see Toots and the Maytals - Bonnie Raitt stepped up and did a duet with Toots - then raced back to catch Emmylou. Talk about a plethora of riches! The mind just boggles.

I just wander from stage to stage trying to catch my favorites - you're going to miss something. If the crowd at the main stage gets to be too much go to the other stages, you won't be sorry.

Wayne

[pickles]

I guess I'm going to have to battle the agoraphobia and brave the GGP crowds... this HSB is sounding too good.

[Jim M.]

I was listening to Mary Tilson's show on KPFA yesterday and Warren Hellman (HSB sponsor) and someone who produces the show were on. The producer mentioned that Emmylou Harris would be having a Nash Rambler reunion for her performance. She didn't mention Sam Bush, but that would be great if he was there playing with Emmylou again. Emmylou's album "Live at the Ryman" with the Nash Ramblers is some of her best work, imho.

So, in between my kids soccer and other activities, I hope to make it to HSB at least for a little while both days. I'll wear a Mando Cafe t-shirt.

[pickles]

It was cover story in this weekend's pink section: Bluegrass & Blues, article on Waybacks, sidebar of info on HSB.

[mad dawg]

That's right, the SF Blues Festival is also upon us. I used to live in the Marina within walking distance of that venue. (Although I could hear it just like I was there even if I stayed home!)

[Bramble]

I'm waiting anxiously for them to post the Hardly Stricly schedule, darn it!
Last year was lots of fun. I'm thinking that it might get way too crowded this year, and I'm with pickles - I don't handle big crowd scenes well, but this is worth the extra effort.

Who's planning on going so far? Which day?

[mad dawg]

The schedule is finally posted here (http://www.strictlybluegrass.com/2004/schedule.cgi?show=day).

[Michael H Geimer]

Four stages? How that gonna work?

Not complaining, since more stages means more acts ... and this is such an all-star bill!

[wah]

Oh My! Talk about an embarassment of riches. How will I ever decide which stage to be at? I'm going to be there both days. Can't see everything. Let's see, it's 4 pm on Saturday - should I see Steve Earle, John Prine, or Peter Rowan & Tony Rice? Or I could just give up and go see Donner Mountain, love 'em. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Wayne

[mad dawg]

...and at 5PM Sunday it's time for some Gin & Juice with the Gourds!

[Jim M.]

Wayne - Are you organizing that jug band fest again this year? I met a guy with a jug band, Keith Cary, who also makes resonator mandos, who lives in Winters.

[wah]

Yes, the JugFest is going to be October 9 in Sutter Creek again. I was going to start a thread on that next week. Kieth plays with the Joy Buzzards which includes him, Robert Armstrong (cartoonist and multi-instrumentalist) and Bill Scholer (a terrific blues guitarist from Davis). Kieth makes those bed pan resonator mandos.

Since we're doing our jugfest for free we don't have resources to pay bands, yet. But we will have 9 bands again this year.

Wayne http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandorhino]

Whooohoooooo!!!!

Heading up from outside of Vegas for what started to be just the weekend for the HSB festival, and morphed into a full week. Yeah, four stages is great, but, like was said, dang, how to decide!

My question for all you locals: what's happening Saturday night after the fest? Is there any good bands or jams happening? Friday I ended up scoring a 10th row norah jones ticket (I know, not much mando, but hear that she's great live). Sunday might try to fly over to Sting/Annie Lennox, but Saturday night is wiiiiiiide open! I'll have the Ice Caps baseball hat on with Sammy's autograph on the back.

[Michael H Geimer]

" question for all you locals: what's happening Saturday night after the fest? Is there any good bands or jams happening? "

Sameless plug ... My band - The Triple Threat Quartet - is playing Saturday night. I'm *hoping* to have at least one "Special Guest" drop in to play with us ... but as with all things TTQ related ... who knows if even my bandmates will show up!

But hey, it's free!

[mad dawg]

Hardly bluegrass, the Old Blind Dogs are in Berkeley at the Freight (http://freightandsalvage.com/2004/october/octcalendar.html) on Saturday night. Also, Antiblas Afrobeat Orchestra (http://www.gamh.com/artist_pages/antiblas_afrobeat_100204.html) is at The Great American Music Hall on Saturday, and major flashback here, The New York Dolls is appearing at the Fillmore on Sunday.

[mandopete]

...The New York Dolls is appearing at the Fillmore on Sunday.
Now that's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass!

Can we now get back to Joni's mando?

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

[Bramble]

Benignus, where are you & Triple Threat Quartet playing? #

And ... uh ... how does one pronounce "Benignus" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif...

[duuuude]

Why just like it's spelled, of course! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

We perform regluarly at the Gallery Cafe (www.gallerycafesf.com), including this Sunday (PDF 189kb) (http://home.earthlink.net/~mgeimer/music/TTQ-9.26.04.pdf).

Seems I left that part out earlier didn't I? Actually I did that because I haven't buttoned everything up with the band. Everything's a go with the venue, heck they asked me if we could play that weekend. (they will be hanging a new local artist that weekend, as well) I see no obscatles.

The plan is to start playing at the cafe probably around 8pm. (after all, I'll be on Speedway Meadow all day, then I'll have to get across town ... note: it is on the other side of town from GG Park)

- Benig

Duuuude, I haven't heard from The Dobro King yet, but I'm still keeping my hopes up that he'll head up my way for HSB. I would just love to have that guy sit in with the band Saturday night!

[mandopete]

...I haven't heard from The Dobro King yet...
Jerry Douglas?

[Michael H Geimer]

Jerry?

I wish. I was thinking of a dobro player I know from Strawberry, who told me that people point at him and say, "There goes The Dobro King." (He deserves the recognition, too - but he's not Jerry)

Small world ... my guitar player has met a different dobro player, but wasn't sure if he should have him sit in with us. We ran into him yesterday, and it turns out I've jammed with the guy up at Strawberry, too. Small world. So, we'll at least have one dobro this weekend.

Cafe has asked us to start at 7pm, and play until they close at 9pm. (Hey, it's a cafe.)

- Benig

[mad dawg]

I'll be on Speedway Meadow all day...
To find you at the Cafe, we'll just look for the mandolin picker on stage with a sunburn, eh?

[duuuude]

Dobro King or no, I'm sure y'all will rip it up anyway! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

So you claim Duuuude, but we won't know for sure ... because The Dobro King is headed up north!!!!!!

I am now more excited about Craig sitting in with the TTQ than am about HSB. (Not that any of *you* should be, but I certainly am)

- Benig

[mandopete]

...but we won't know for sure ... because The Dobro King is headed up north!!!!!!
Mike Grigoni by any chance? #I know he has been down in the Bay Area off and on doing some recording. #He is a great dobro player who has been playing with the Barbed Wire Cutters here in the Pacifc Northwest.

[Michael H Geimer]

Nope. Craig's just a regular, like you and me. But, I sure agreed with his friend who told him, "I think it's time you made an album." He's *that* good, and *that* nice of a guy.

There will be a seemingly endless parade of talent across four stages all weekend, but IMHO it's all musical voyeurism. I always want to play along, so on that level I do prefer *real* musicans to the one's on stage.

- Benig

[duuuude]

Dang, that'd be almost worth comin' down the mountain & across the valley for. Give 'im my best & tell him Sparks ain't that far away!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandopete]

FWIW - Mike is a regular guy too. I have jammed with him a number of times at local festivals. And he's one heckuva a slider too!

[Michael H Geimer]

OK ... the final hours are upon us. I guess the school kids will get their performance in just a few hours.

It's cold out here in SF. Bring blankets, or a good fleece!

Last shameless plug for anyone that want to hear The Triple Threat Quartet (http://home.earthlink.net/~mgeimer/music/TTQ-10.2.04.pdf). Free show. Not as slick as the 'pros' on the meadow, but 'good enough'. I'll galdy throw around breaks to folks with stringed instruments. (though we are hardly a strictly Bluegrass band ... ha ha ha)

Have fun everyone!

- Benig

[pickles]

Got sick. Couldn't go. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Sorry to hear that pickles.

So far, Saturday was really great. Hot Rize sounded perfect ... but we all expect that. The Reeltime Travellers and The Crooked Jades were my personal picks, but then I always like the Old-Timey stuff.

Peter Rown just plain cracks me up. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif (I have a hard time imagining Bill putting up with Peter's 'hippie-ways')

Today ... more of the same. Time to cook some breakfast, and get back to the meadow.

- Benig ... who picked until the smallest of hours last night.

[Bramble]

So sorry, Pickles! Any chance you're much better today?

I spent the day walking from stage to stage to stage, trying to catch at least a bit of as much as possible. Today I think we'll camp out by the "Banjo Stage" if possible. Too bad it's too chilly to spot Cafe T-Shirts.

Hmmm, maybe I can think of some way to mark our location with a Cafe-something; would love to meet other Cafe folks.

Time to run!

[mad dawg]

Bramble -- I was at the Banjo stage most of the day, from Tim O'Brien through Del & the boys, then I headed over to the Arrow to check out the Gourds. What a great day of mandolin music, eh?

Thank goodness for the coffee vendor though, it was freezing out there, huh? After seeing Skaggs' band cover the entire stage, it looked like Del's band was crowding together for warmth!

[Pete Braccio]

How about the mando lineup for the Banjo Stage today? Tim O'Brien to Ricky Skaggs to Ronnie McCoury to Sam Bush (who was backing up Emmylou Harris). Not too shabby for a free festival!

Pete

[mad dawg]

Sadly, I missed Sam since I went over to the Arrow stage for a while after Del, but I had a great day nevertheless. Does anyone know who this Warren guy is who funds the festival every year? (I don't know him, but I love him! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

[Jim M.]

He is the founder of an investment banking firm, and a board member of NASDAQ, which is why he has the money to give himself this birthday present every year. The banjo player, Alison Brown, worked as an investment banker with him before her music career took off.

[mad dawg]

Does anyone know who this Warren guy is who funds the festival every year?

I just answered my own question with a quick google: #
F. Warren Hellman, chairman of Hellman & Friedman, LLC (http://traffic.bayinsider.com/events/2515258/detail.html)

[Bramble]

Yeah, it was a great day!
I must admit, I do love SF weather, believe it or not. #I had to laugh at Ricky Skaggs freeeeeezing up there in short sleeves brrrrr...
I didn't catch Sam, sorry to say http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif - we wandered over to check out the Gourds for a bit before heading back to the East Bay.

Thanks for the link to the host of the event. I've been really curious and will check it out.

[mad dawg]

Bramble -- what did you think of the Gourds? I think I'll have to go buy a CD or two of theirs (and definitely the one with Ziggy Stardust).

[wah]

Wow! what a weekend of music! One of the best ever. Sunday was especially fine because of the mando players. I started with Drew Emmitt - such a nice band with Matt Flinner and Darrell Anger. Then to Tim O'Brien (though I wandered over to Old Crow Medicine show can't resist their jug band riffs). Ricky Skaggs did fine in the cold. Way over at the Star stage was Mountain Heart with Adam Steffy. At Grass Valley they had some sound problems, but not here. It was one of the finer sets all weekend and caused me to miss all but three songs from Gillian Welch. Del, Ronnie and the rest of the boys didn't let anyone down. But Emmylou Harris with the Nash Ramblers Reunion was absolutely magical. Sam, John and Byron were perfect. The best set Emmylou has done in the four years.

Actually my understanding is that it is a birthday present for his wife. What a gracious and generous man.

Wayne

[mad dawg]

He is the founder of an investment banking firm, and a board member of NASDAQ, which is why he has the money to give himself this birthday present every year. The banjo player, Alison Brown, worked as an investment banker with him before her music career took off.

Thanks Jim -- that's more detail than I was able to dig up. (Or am I just behind the times and this is just assumed knowledge? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )

[Bramble]

Hi, mad dawg!
I'm with you - I liked what I heard of the Gourds and just might have to pick up a CD. I missed Ziggy Stardust ?!? #Anyway, it's always fun to check out something new.

I couldn't get anywhere near Gillian Welch - did you see the crowd over there? She'll need one of the bigger stages next year.

[Michael H Geimer]

I confess, I skipped Gillian, and watched Del and his boys. They are the textbook example of great Bluegrass, to my ears.

But then, I've got tickets for Gillian Welch for Saturday at the Fillmore. Can't wait! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[pickles]

Still sneezing here so I guess it's a good thing I stayed out of those freezy breezes. Wouldn't want to end up too sick to pick. Sounds like it was a great time; thanks for sharing your notes on it, all, so I can enjoy it vicariously.

[mad dawg]

I confess, I skipped Gillian, and watched Del and his boys. They are the textbook example of great Bluegrass, to my ears.

Even their stage presence was: they were dressed in suit and tie, huddled around two microphones, and moved in and out in an almost choreographed fashion while taking turns on the mic for vocals and solos.

[Mark in Nevada City]

OK I'm dying to know...was there much jamming this year? That part has been sorely lacking in the past.

[Michael H Geimer]

I saw people with instruments both days, but 'chickened out' on bringing any myself, and didn't actually see any jamming going on ... just cases.

Did manage to get some folks from the meadow to head over to my coffee house gig and sit in (in addition to my dobro-playing houseguest). We later crashed my local pub and picked until way late.

I spoke with a lady Sunday who got a jam going in her hotel room.

It's just not the same without a campsite. But at least having another musician in the apartment made it seem closer to that sort of jamming festival.

- Benig