San Francisco |
Chicago |
Denver |
Washington, DC
Words by: Patrick Knibbs
Green Apple Music Festival :: 04.20.08 :: Lincoln Park Zoo :: Chicago, IL
Bassnectar
For the second consecutive year Chicago's contribution to the Green Apple Music Festival featured a weekend
packed with music at venues throughout the city, and culminated with a massive gathering at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
While at the zoo, single sets from the Chicago Afrobeat Project, Bassnectar, Meshell Ndegeocello, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the debut of Three Bill Kreutzmann, Oteil Burbridge, and Scott Murawski) provided an
eclectic soundtrack for both the human and animal audience. Besides music, numerous booths were set up
throughout the zoo providing information about Green initiatives and tips on how to lessen our environmental
impact. Chicago's Head Count team was on hand registering hundreds of new voters, and one of the NFL's most
promising environmental activists, Chicago Bear quarterback Kyle Orton was emceeing the event.
Following two acts geared towards the children, local heroes the Chicago Afrobeat Project took the stage.
Over the past several years the CAbP have established themselves as an elite core of musicians dedicated to
preserving the rich tradition of the Afrobeat genre. Their infectious blend of world/Afro-infused polyrhythmic music
have earned them a rabid following, not to mention prime slots at several of the Midwest's top summer festivals.
Relying heavily on bouncy, rhythmic progressions and high-energy call-and-response riffs it was nearly impossible
to remain still during their short set. Their rousing version of Fela Kuti's "JJD" (Johnny Just Drop) was a clear
highlight. Near the conclusion of their set, the enormous male lion, which had been rather tame all morning, stood
atop his sun-soaked boulder (located directly across from the stage) and showed his appreciation for the band by
expelling several impressive roars.
With the mid-day sun beaming, San Francisco artist/producer/DJ Bassnectar kept the party moving with a
crate of old school records and booty-shaking beats. It was interesting to see the crowd's overwhelming acceptance
and response to his music. His bass-driven grooves had the masses throbbing in-sync consistently throughout the
set, and he even dedicated his last mix to Vice President Dick Cheney. Following the energetic Bassnectar set was
veteran rocker Meshell Ndegeocello and her band. Ndegeocello seemed a little out of place on the bill and
it was evident that many in attendance also felt the same as the crowd seemed to thin a bit during her rowdy
performance.
It's hard to beat the atmosphere of an outdoor Dirty Dozen Brass Band show, especially on a beautiful
sunny Sunday afternoon. There's a joyous, even moving feeling associated with: A) an inspired New Orleans-style
march in the mid-day sun, and B) the uncontrollable urge to boogie one gets during their quintessential full-throttle
funk grooves. So that said, DDBB staples like the aptly titled "Ain't Nothing but a Party" ignited smiles and massive
amounts of dancing throughout the crowd.
Following the Dirty Dozen was the most anticipated group of the day, cleverly and matter-of-factly named
Three. The power trio consisted of Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers), and
Scott Murawski (Max Creek) who filled a last minute slot originally scheduled for the Derek Trucks Band. Opening
the set with a hard jazz-fusion version of "Franklin's Tower" they set the tone early for what to expect: brilliant,
virtuosic runs and riffs that showcased the immense talent each musician brought to the table. Sure there were
moments of chaotic unpolished noodling, but the overall rawness and improvisation was exciting. The clear
highlight of the set was an outer-worldly jam that segued wonderfully into a stellar "Eyes of the World." Murawski's
vocals sounded crisp, and entwined nicely with his dynamic rhythm section- which was in-the-pocket for much of
the set. Near the conclusion of their slot they received a thunderous response after the "dress myself in green" lyric
during "Bertha," after which they gave the old girl some new life with an extended jam. This is definitely a post-
Dead project worth checking out.
Dirty Dozen Brass Band :: 04.20.08
Kinetic Playground :: Official GAMF After Party :: Chicago, IL
For the closing night of the Green Apple Music Festival, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Van Ghost, and DJ Lou Dooben rocked 'til the wee
hours at the Kinetic Playground. Opening the night was upstart Chicago indie-folk rockers Van Ghost, the octet –
which features Jennifer
Hartswick on vocals – warmed up the thin crowd with an inspired set of original material and a couple of
well-placed covers.
Upon taking the stage it was apparent that the Dirty Dozen was a bit weary. The band had traveled to Chicago from
Houston, and immediately headed for the zoo to do their afternoon set, but that did not stop the consummate
professionals from igniting one more Windy City dance party. Their non-stop grooving was especially funky during
the Meters' "Cissy Strut." But it was the intimacy of the dual encore, played by baritone saxman Roger
Lewis and trumpeter Efrem Towns as a duo, that really showed the group in a different, more subtle
light. Their take on "St. James Infirmary" was stark and moving, it relied on the basic structure and tonality of their
two very different instruments, not to mention the haunting, cryptic lyrics about "seeing my baby on a long white
table" that sends chills down the spine. Lewis then took the final moments of the night to do his humorous "Dirty
Old Man" before exiting the stage.
Continue reading for pictures of Denver's Green Apple celebration...
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