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Grass: Blue and Otherwise
Bryan Sutton & Jerry Douglas :: Merlefest by G. Nelson |
Perhaps the most sought-after guitar player in bluegrass today is Bryan Sutton. To celebrate his new album of guitar duets, Not too Far From the Tree, Sutton brought many of his friends and collaborators up on the Hillside Stage to pick with him on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Jerry Douglas joined him for "Bonaparte's Retreat" and "Decision at Glady Fork." Suttons' guitar work is lightning fast and very unique. Sutton makes his blistering solos look easy. Sutton then brought out guitar-picking legend George Shuffler. Shuffler was the lead guitar player for the Stanley Brothers for many years and invented the cross-pick guitar style. The two of them played the old favorite "Nine Pound Hammer." It was a guitar player's paradise when Tony Rice came out to pick the "Dusty Miller" with Sutton and Douglas.
Peter Rowan :: Merlefest 2006 by Gabe Nelson |
Fan favorite Peter Rowan had an extra member in his trio this year when he was joined by the brilliant young guitar picker Chris Eldridge. Rowan played his customary assortment of bluegrass, hippie grass, and cowboy yodel songs. He seemed very introspective during his set, playing a long slow version of "Rain and Snow" and "Dustbowl Children." Rounding out the band were two very talented ladies, bass player Bryn Davies and mandolin player Sharon Gilchrist. Rowan finished his show with a few words and a song honoring Vassar Clements. It was great to hear the late fiddler eulogized. Surprisingly, it was the first time any artist at the festival had mentioned him.
Alison Brown :: Merlefest by G. Nelson |
Guitar pioneer Tony Rice brought his band to the Hillside stage on Saturday to show off his licks. Rice's career focus has shifted since losing his singing voice in 1994, but it hasn't slowed him down. The music now focuses on instrumental tunes, which give Rice the chance to stretch out on guitar and to show off his signature "spacegrass" technique. Long, delicate intros led into newgrass jams on "Wayfaring Stranger." "Red-Haired Boy" was a scorcher, and the crowd gave Rice a standing ovation after "A Few of My Favorite Things." Tony Rice is to the guitar as Alison Brown is to the banjo. An innovator who leads a jazz quartet with her five-string, Brown hit the Watson Stage playing melodically complex numbers with a very talented backing band including Joe Craven. Craven is no stranger to challenging music, having formerly played with the David Grisman Quintet. Definitely not for traditionalists, Brown's new-age jazzgrass went over well with those who witnessed her set.
Festival Favorites
Jerry Douglas :: Merlefest by W. Stein |
Jerry Douglas has been the master of the Dobro for many years. He was in top form at Merlefest, performing with his solo band on the main Watson Stage Friday night. The band included drums, so this was definitely Douglas' unique style of newgrass. He takes the listener on journeys, ranging from bluegrass licks to Eastern riffs that would be more at home on sitar. The songs have lots of melodic instrumental lines with serious drive, and much of Douglas' material clocks in at about six or seven minutes. The highlight was "A New Day Melody" as well as a song he wrote called "Futureman," a reference to the Flecktones' unconventional Synthax Drumitar player.
Darrell Scott :: Merlefest by W. Stein |
Darrell Scott, the well known Nashville songwriter, is not afraid to rock out. Bringing his full band as well as his father along for the ride, Scott put on a fantastic set Thursday night. His songs are often more like poetic sagas where characters love, live, and then die, all within five minutes. There were tender ballads such as "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" and "The Dreamer," a cut from his new album. With the full band behind him, Scott let all of his emotions show in an extended "With a Memory Like Mine." The accomplished musicians included Casey Driessen, one of the best new fiddle players around.
Uniquely Merlefest
Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell :: by W. Stein |
The North Carolina Songwriters Showcase on the Austin Stage was probably one of the best collections of talent at the festival. Caitlin Cary, Thad Cockrell, Scott and Seth Avett, Mary Lucey and Shannon Whitworth of the Biscuit Burners, and Dave Wilson of Chatham County Line all took the stage for a song round table. It was amazing to watch these performers dig up their best material and present it among their peers. While it wasn't a contest by any means, Whitworth's "A Mountain Apart" received the best reception from the crowd. Throughout the festival, The Austin Stage was the place to catch the very best songwriters and up-and-coming acts.
Here are a few more snippets from around the festival:
Doc Watson :: Merlefest by G. Nelson |
John Cowan singing the bluegrass standard "Some Old Day" so loud you could hear it two stages away.
Popular bass player Bryn Davies playing with just about every band at the festival.
Pete Seeger on the Little Pickers stage singing "She'll be Comin' 'Round the Mountain."
Johnny Irion and Sarah Lee Guthrie with Chatham County Line on the Traditional Stage.
Bela Fleck sitting in with the African banjo set in the Traditional Tent.
During the "Mando Mania" set, learning how many mandolin players put a rattlesnake's tail in their instrument to give it a little extra sound.
Doc Watson on the Little Pickers Stage entertaining a sea of happy kids with old folk tunes.
Bluegrass legend Curly Seckler (mandolin player for Flatt & Scruggs) on the Traditional Stage with the Steep Canyon Rangers.
David Bromberg and the Angel Band doing an impromptu set backstage at the Midnight Jam... in the men's room!
In another first for the festival, a handful of the sets are available for download at Festival Link: http://flink.livedownloads.com/stash.asp recorded by the official broadcaster, Martha's Vineyard Radio. Sets are also available for streaming at the MVYRadio website, http://mvyradio.com/music_info/merlefest_2006.php.
You Can't See It All
With thirteen stages over four days, it is literally impossible to see everything at Merlefest - you'd need to clone yourself. And sometimes what looks like a plain-old set on the schedule turns into something magical, but you'll never know unless you happen to be there.
Bob Weir & Gillian Welch :: Merlefest by W. Stein |
Laura Love Band: A singer who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Love gets funky with her folk music and always has the crowd dancing.
The Lee Boys: This African-American group plays sacred steel music with a passion that would make Robert Randolph jealous. Bob Weir joined them for a couple tunes.
John Cowan Band: Cowan's voice is so strong, he doesn't need a PA system.
Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway: This was a huge tribute to Woody Guthrie. There was lots of commentary between the music on Woody's political and religious views as well.
Midnight Jam :: Merlefest by W. Stein |
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: After a hiatus, the band is back strong with a new album and great new material. Their set was late Sunday afternoon, the very last one of the festival.
David Bromberg: Bromberg has been an integral part of Americana since his Greenwich Village coffeehouse days in the mid-60's. Those who saw him at Merlefest said he hasn't lost a beat and put on an unbelievable set. With Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Jay Unger, and Sarah Lee Guthrie as guests, you really can't go wrong.
Midnight Jam: Virtually everyone participates in the all-star late night session hosted this year by Nickel Creek. This is the only event at Merlefest that costs extra. A tip for those who would like to go - simply park yourself outside the door and look for freebies from those with tickets too tired to attend.
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