Suwannee Springfest | 03.26 – 03.29 | FL
By Team JamBase Apr 10, 2009 • 5:44 pm PDT

Suwanee Springfest :: 03.26 – 03.29 :: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park :: Live Oak, FL
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This year’s Springfest had to battle numerous obstacles, namely the dismal economic climate and a poor weather forecast. Truth be told, the park felt a little lighter than usual, which is unfortunate as those who didn’t make it off the couch missed yet another magical weekend out at the swamp.
The festival, which is renowned for drawing many of the same gifted musicians year after year, once again featured a handful of its idols, such as the timeless Peter Rowan, journeymen Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson, cult-favorites Donna the Buffalo and jovial veterans The Duhks. Other festival favorites, such as mandolin wizard Mike Marshall and fiddler-extraordinaire Darol Anger, took the opportunity to introduce new projects such as their collaboration with the virtuosic Swedish string trio Väsen. Combined with a number of standout performances across the board, insightful workshops and late night, fireside jam sessions, Springfest succeeded in separating itself from the typical festival in that everyone in attendance recognized they both gave and received the gift of music.
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By midday Friday, Marshall and Anger had begun to weave their magic, packing the Music Hall for a workshop that featured an array of soothing world music and Brazilian-influenced licks. They went on to explain that their time together with the David Grisman Quartet not only served to introduce them to an outstanding range of music but also sparked a life-long passion for experimentation. The duo then introduced Väsen, a trio consisting of 12-string guitarist Roger Tallroth, Mikael Marin on viola and nyckelharpa champion Olov Johansson, who served to round out the brilliant quintet. While Johansson described the nyckelharpa, which is essentially a Swedish 16-stinged keyed fiddle played with a bow, as “a portable, disposable barbeque rack,” it was clear that his mastery of this unique instrument helped to fuel the musical vehicle that Marshall and Anger have worked so hard to fine tune.
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That evening the crowd was transported back to Yasgur’s Farm circa 1969, as the legend that is Richie Havens poured his heart into the Suwannee in a fashion that few ever have. Accompanied by local guitar hero and Swamp Cabbage frontman Walter Parks, Havens belted out timeless ballads for nearly two hours, winding down his set with a medley of songs by Bob Dylan and The Who, along with a soul-wrenching cover of The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” Adorned in amulets, rings and other charismatic pieces of “medicinal” jewelry, which he’d been given as gifts through the years, Havens spent three additional hours signing autographs for every last fan, greeting each one with a warm welcome and message of peace, love and hope.
On Saturday afternoon, Väsen took their act to the Main Stage, picking their way through impossibly complex and equally mystifying Marshall/Anger tunes such as “Egypt” and “Penknife Killer.” With another storm threatening overhead, the quintet seemed to rouse the winds with their jaw-dropping velocity, breaking only for a moment as an enormous tree branch cascaded to the ground beside the speakers. Thankfully, no one was hurt, although the image of the band’s “vortex” will be forever etched in the minds of anyone fortunate enough to have witnessed their synchronistic connection to the elements.
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After dark, the Emmitt-Nershi Band shifted gears with an up-beat, playful bluegrass sound right out of the books of Nershi’s old band, The String Cheese Incident, as well as Emmitt’s long-time project, Leftover Salmon. Finally, perennial favorites the Lee Boys capped off the night with their signature up-tempo gospel sound, including a stirring rendition of “I’ll Fly Away,” the chorus of which could be heard echoing through the campgrounds well into the morning.
In light of all the big name acts, Saturday evening’s peak performance was turned in by Seth Walker, who showcased his various talents at the Meadow Stage just as the sky began to burst with rain. Conjuring the spirits of Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Robert Johnson, Harry Connick, Jr. and many other great bluesmen, Walker successfully toed the line between tender songsmith and devious juke-joint devil, displaying a stage presence that’s nothing less than refreshing. In fact, few know the scene as does this infectious performer, whose latest release, Leap of Faith, is garnering critical acclaim nationwide. Seth’s proud poppa, Scott Walker, has played at one Suwannee festival or another for fifteen plus years; his aunt, Brenda Star Walker, leads morning yoga classes in the meadow; and Seth is said to have spent many a long night of his youth honing his skills on festival organizers Randy and Beth Judy‘s couch. Apparently for some, Springfest truly is a family affair.
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Year-in and year-out, Springfest presents the best facets of American folk culture, blending the new mythology of roots music in time with the traditional values and rituals of Appalachia and the Deep South. One can only hope that we continue to support and recognize the painstaking efforts of Randy and Beth Judy, along with all of the artists and contributors who breathe life into this utterly magical event that any music lover will appreciate.
Continue reading for a few more pics of Springfest…
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