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Sunday, 11.15
 Dubconscious :: BC09 by Chapman |
Avis Berry's Soul Revue was a great Sunday sermon, with gospel tinged blues and soul. Berry is a magnanimous singer, and she was joined by The Shady Horns, Skerik, Burbridge, and Scott Campbell. The highlight was a sharp cover of the Stevie Wonder/Rufus gem "Tell Me Something Good."
Dubconscious took the stage to a thunderous ovation Sunday afternoon, and bandleader Adrian Zelski announced that this would be the band's final performance. An original ingredient to the Bear Creek stew, this news was met with tears from many in the audience and backstage. A powerful version of their strongest original, "Serious Times," and a vintage Gladiator's tune were the vehicles Solomon Wright, James Keane, John Lloyd and Zelski rode off into the sunset with. At Bear Creek, and all over the Southeast, Dubconscious will be missed. Namaste.
Like Zach Deputy the day before, Nathan Moore warmed up the circus tent stage between artists all afternoon. Mixing folk tunes and acoustic prowess with measured poetics, Moore made many new fans during his weekend at the 'Wanee. Moore also performed a set with The Slip as the collaborative Surprise Me Mr. Davis, where all four members dressed in black tie garb and delivered potent, emotive indie-folk to those who needed a breather from the funk assault.
 Surprise Me Mr. Davis :: BC09 by Murphy |
Galactic took to the Big IV Stage on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. In between New Orleans Saints chants, Ellman and Henry worked Drew Brees (Saints QB) cheers into and between songs. Stanton Moore was fiery behind the kit, standing on his stool and creating his patented syncopated bop beneath the rumblings of bassist Rob Mercurio and guitarist Tim Raines. The band welcomed Dubconscious trombonist John Lloyd to the stage, and he promptly engaged in a bone-battle with Corey Henry. Later, Raines and Moore could be found slaying Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" while keyboardist Rich Vogel channeled the lyrical Robert Plant melodies. The NOLA stalwarts then brought out JJ Grey of Mofro for a spirited rendition of "Sympathy for the Devil." The band closed things out for their weekend with a little help from NOLA royalty Ivan Neville on set closer "Hercules."
Dr. Claw was the penultimate scheduled performance for Bear Creek 2009, and like last year's appearance, was certainly a highlight of the weekend. The all star collective is an amalgam of NOLA and NYC, including bassist Nick Daniels and Ian Neville of Dumpstaphunk, Adam Deitch, Nigel Hall and Eric Krasno of Lettuce, as well as Kofi Burbridge in for Big Sam. This collaboration usually occurs at Jazz Fest or in NYC, but Paul Levine makes it happen each year right here at Bear Creek. Needless to say, the performance was littered with guests, and had several moments of grandeur, not the least of which was a Daniels led march thru Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" so wicked it would have made Flea blush. The Dr. Claw set ended with possibly the finest song performed over the entire weekend. Joined by The Shady Horns, Skerik, John Lloyd, and a few others, Dr. Claw uncorked a colossal take on the Head Hunters' opus "Hang Up Your Hang Ups." No superlative that I could possibly apply would do justice to this malevolent creation. Filthy, sordid drums from Deitch laid an undercurrent for Nigel to get his Herbie on proper, with Nick Daniels nailing the Paul Jackson bass mechanics with vigor. A cadre of turgid, grandiose horns rose to levels previously unattained this weekend. To the eyes and ears of your humble narrator, this very song was the zenith of Bear Creek 2009.
 Dumpstaphunk :: BC09 by Murphy |
Dumpstaphunk actually had to take the stage after Dr. Claw and close the festival. If there was anybody up for the challenge, it is the Neville family and their cohorts. Ivan, Ian, and the rest of D-Phunk did their best to move things along, and "Turn This Thing Around" was quite enjoyable. JJ Grey emerged for the Sly Stone chestnut "Thank You (Fa Lettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)" and the scene turned into a family affair. Apparently applying the credo, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," D-Phunk invited the remaining members of the Royal Family onstage for one more incestuous romp through James Brown classics, this time finding Nigel belting out a powerful "Soul Power" and a hedonistic "Superbad." Superstardom is on the horizon for Mr. Nigel Hall.
As the Festival wound down, Mr. Levine had one last treat in store for those of us who had stuck around until late Sunday night: The annual staff and artists party at the Treehouse, a veritable residence built into the side of a bunch of oak trees, with a stage and large fenced in yard. After Tallahassee Southern rockers Stillwood played a set, Levine arranged for a conglomerate of hangers-on to take the stage for a final jam. Again, Eric Krasno, Adam Deitch, and Nigel Hall took command, grooving out the final stretch alongside the likes of John Lloyd, The Slip's Brad Barr, and a host of others.
While the Sweetwater kegs, good vibes, and tears of joy flowed, I took some time to reflect on both the magic and the madness. The dark Florida night turned icy cold, the wind whipped as campfires crackled and slowly burned to soot, but the Spirit of the Suwannee, Bear Creek, and the inimitable "Purple Hatter" was never as heart-warming as on this autumn Sunday night.
I give the final word to Paul Levine, the man behind what makes this fest so incredibly special.
"The reason Bear Creek works and flows so well is because of our dedicated and experienced staff. This team, which has been together now for a number of years, loves each other and the music scene as a whole, and understands how to work together for a common goal," said Levine. "The Bear Creek family takes pride in doing an exceptional job. No one wants to let each other, the artists, the fans, or the community down. This type of dedication, love, and teamwork translates into a very warm and creative environment."
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