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TOP 3 LISTS:
JamBasers and Friends and Musicians recall their favorite
moments from HSMF 06
Dave Margulies (High Sierra Music Festival):
Top 3 Covers:
1. ALO doing "With A Little Help From My Friends" and inviting
about 40 members of the Campa Barbara crew and others on stage to sing
back up.
2. RAILROAD EARTH doing The Band's "Arcadian Driftwood"
and "Ophelia"
3. TEA LEAF GREEN doing Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't
You See" (with ALO's Dan Lebowitz)
Top 3 Moments:
1. The look on George Porter Jr.'s face during his "trio sessions" playshop
with Johnny Vidacovich which featured a revolving third musician jumping
in for one song, when ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro jumped up to take
the stage unbeknown to Porter and then the smile on his face when he and
Jake locked in with one another moments later.
2. The sounds of Peter Apfelbaum's New York Hieroglyphic
Orchestra.
3. The New Orleans talk/celebration at the Shanti Shalom
Peace Pavillion with Rebirth Brass Band and Chris Chandler/David Roe.
Deanne "SuperDee" Herman (JamBase)
1. Dan Lebowitz's "incendiary" guitar solo in
the Guitarmaggedon playshop. Mega chills.
2. Patrick Hallahan (MMJ) sitting in with The White Thighs
at Camp Harry.
3. Kai Margulies, age 2, sitting in with Surprise Me Mr.
Davis.
Andrew Warren (JamBase)
1. Surprise Me, Mr. Davis! opening for My Morning Jacket
Late night: If there ever was a band that hardly plays together yet commands
so much respect from their audience it is Mr. Davis. From the first notes
of the Music Hall set to the late night impromptu set at the JamBase tent,
right on through their Big Meadow Stage show, Davis showed the fans why
they are the future of music.
2. West Indian Girl: For being relative new comers for
most of the festivals attendees, the Girl caused a huge buzz by the end
of their Vaudville Tent show. Part Cali pop, part 60's Topanga brilliance,
West Indian Girl have staked out a piece of the pie this past weekend.
3. Magic Gravy at Camp Harry: By Sunday night the festival
had already prooved to be more than anyone could have dreamed. That said,
members of ALO and the Motet set up shop at the JamBase Camp and layed
down 2 hours of almost non-stop grooves that drew in over 200 passers
by. Some of the sweetest sounds of the fest were found coming from the
guitar of ALO's Dan Leibowitz after midnight on the Fest's last day.
Reed Mathis (JFJO):
1. Mojitos with fresh mint leaves at the JamBase camp,
which led directly into a very blissed-out Suprise Me Mr. Davis at the
Big Meadow stage, for which I sacrificed my shades, which was shortly
followed by a very blissed-out My Morning Jacket on the main stage. Kind
of one 90-minute headlong moment.
2. Getting to play bass with Kai Eckhardt (whose playing
I used to transcribe and learn off records as a teenage aspirer) as part
of the Everyone Orchestra. He said that after I'd left the stage he missed
getting to play with me! Quite a thing to hear from someone you've looked
up to.
3. Sitting sidestage with Jason Smart while we bugged
out watching Zak Najor play the drums with the Greyboy Allstars. Najor
is unbelievable...a true example of what it means to play with nothing
holding you back. Sitting in with Greyboy was fun, but just watching Zak
play was the real treat.
Andy Gadiel (JamBase):
1. Worlds colliding as Jon Gutwillig (The Disco Biscuits)
joined Josh Clark (Tea Leaf Green) for a rocking guitarmageddon and again
for TLG's late night set.
2. Grace Potter's soulful Sunday Vaudeville performance
3. Steel Train's first High Sierra!
Skerik:
1. George Porter Jr. and Johnny Vidacovich workshop duo
set with guests. I hope I can play like those two when I grow up!
Marc Ross (Rock
the Earth):
1. Rock the Earth Cocktail Party and fundraiser put on
by the Happy Brigade and featuring almost all of Railroad Earth, Nat and
Eric from Hot Buttered Rum, Scott Law and others.
2. ALO's Main Stage set on Sun. was crazy. Stoked by the
SB Phreeks, this set was highlighted by a rousing rendition of "With
a Little Help from My Friends," featuring members of Tea Leaf Green,
the Everyone Orchestra, family members, hoopers and many, many others.
Very reminiscent of the JamCruise—Brain Damaged Eggmen version of
"Hey Jude."
3. Joe Craven – he was EVERYWHERE and has to get
the MVP for most sit-ins at a festival ever.
Tanner Wyer (JamBase):
1. Surprise Me Mr. Davis, Sunset Set, Big Meadow Stage:
Some of the most inspiring music I've ever heard in my life. As far as
I'm concerned, they have raised the bar in terms of how songs should be
written and performed. I've never been witness to such emotion, honesty,
and integrity. You can really tell that they are so proud to be playing
this music about life; and I felt honored to be witnessing it. Get into
it. Love has been looking for you.
2. Umphrey's McGee, "Words" Encore from Grandstand
on 6/30: UM owned both their late night and their headliner show, but
it was during this encore that SuperDee and I had 'Oh Shit' faces
on. I finally got to hear this song live, and it did not disappoint.
3. Tie between My Morning Jacket performing "Gideon"
and Guadalajara Joe performing "Google".
MMJ – so good to have the art rock at HSMF. This song is just so
proper. Guadalajara Joe – This man needs a Troubadour Session in
a major way next year. Nothing like an early morning kickball game, and
a
performance by Guadalajara Joe.
Jon Bahr (ASCAP):
1. Camp Harry - It started as our camp and turned into
one of the hottest venues in Quincy, complete with Stage Managers holding
it all together. With members of The Slip, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, Apollo
Sunshine, Hairy Apes BMX, My Morning Jacket, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey,
The White Thighs, the Dean Weinberg 7, ALO, the Motet and more, playing
in various configurations - Camp Harry arrived.
2. My Morning Jacket - High Sierra usually lacks the type
of rock that MMJ brought to the festival. From ballads to blistering rockers,
it was a major treat to have the band in the Sierras. Hopefully we can
get them back.
3. Surprise Me Mr. Davis - Having gone nearly 8 months
since their last show, this High Sierra fav give it their all over the
course of 3 sets (2 planned and one spur-of-the-moment magical Camp Harry
sunrise set). Everyone fell in love with Mr. Davis all over again. Hopefully
we won't have to wait 8 months for another show.
Susan J. Weiand (JamBase Photographer):
1. Jake Shimabukuro, the Jimi Hendrix of ukulele from
Hawaii, sitting in with Bela Fleck main stage, Umphrey's late night and
his playshop with Joe Craven and Futureman. What an awesome player and
delightful stage presence!
2. Everyone Orchestra main stage Sunday: everyone from
Jamie Janover and Jared Kaplan to Kai Eckhardt and his son Danillo, to
Charlie Hitchcock and the Hot Buttered Rum guys plus a horn section with
John Whoolilurie, Matt Butler's improv big band project is always a delight
and this was a particularly strong ensemble. Also late night Sunday.
3. Umphrey's McGee main stage- probably the finest and
most solid set I have every experienced from this band. They just blew
me and rest of the audience away. On to bigger venues and more recognition
for these talented guys from Chitown.
Honorable mention: Jerry Joseph with Zero late night
Patty Kaufman (JamBase):
1. Disco Biscuits killing it late night
2. Discovering two new favorite bands in Grace Potter and Steel Train
3. My personal soundtrack for the weekend- Mojo and the Vibration Army
(they always seemed to be trailing behind me)
4. Camp Harry late night
5. Getting to chill w/ so many musicians in the campgrounds
Josh Miller (JamBase Photographer):
1. ALO gets some help from their friends on an afternoon
main stage during the Beatles song "With A Little Help From My Friends."
Approximately 50 - 75 "friends" came out on stage to lock arm
and arm, swaying to ALO's positive vibe.
2. Toubab Krewe's electric set on top of an RV caught
passing festival goers by surprise with their American/West African fusion
groove.
3. Nathan Moore of Surprise Me Mr. Davis pays tribute
to fallen angel Maxwell Pelta on the Big Meadow stage. Moore showed the
audience pictures of a young Pelta after producing them from an empty
Raisin Bran box.
Matt Hogan (SCI
Fidelity):
1. Umphrey's McGee – Grandstand Stage, Friday Night
This was just a huge rock show, and people were getting down HARD throughout
the set, including during killer versions of some of my personal favorites
– "All in Time", "Higgins", "JaJunk", "Great American", "Much Obliged",
and a crazy set-closing "Miss Tinkles". The encore of "Words" was by far
the best version of this song I've ever witnessed and brought the evening
to a poignant close.
2. Surprise Me Mr. Davis – Camp Harry, Saturday Sunrise
The JamBase team really outdid themselves this year, and Camp Harry was
THE place to be for good times, great people, and insane impromptu jam
sessions. In addition to a welcoming living-room-type atmosphere, kiddie
pool & gas-powered blender for mixing up frozen beverages (all within
earshot of the Big Meadow Stage), CH provided an in-house backline of
instruments for any passing musicians to make good use of. Throughout
the weekend, members of the Slip, Apollo Sunshine, My Morning Jacket,
West Indian Girl, the Motet, ALO and more could be found here cutting
loose, and providing countless unforgettable musical moments. My personal
highlight came on Friday Night/Saturday Morning when Surprise Me Mr. Davis
put on a ridiculous sunrise set for any lucky folks within earshot. Their
rendition of "19th Nervous Breakdown" by the Stones seemed to be egging
on the sun with its chorus of "Here it comes … here it comes …
here it comes …" and sent many happy campers off into the new dawn.
Bigger and Better in '06!
3. Sunrise Kickball
For sheer comedy, this definitely wins the award for the highest, off-the-charts
hilarity of the weekend. I participated only as a spectator, but on both
Saturday and Sunday morning, the early-morning crazies were out in force
for these high-intensity, semi-organized, pure-debauchery kickball matches.
Words can't really do it justice, (and if you were there, you already
know), so I'll leave it at that … but my MVP award goes to "Granny"
for his Sunday morning all-star performance. Classic!
Honorable Mentions: Tea Leaf Green, The New Mastersounds,
My Morning Jacket, West Indian Girl, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals,
the Disco Biscuits, Railroad Earth, Apollo Sunshine, Steel Train, The
Old Nationals, The A-Team and Robe-a-thon '06, "Hogan's
Alley" in Shady Grove, the Fun Zone, the swimming pool, everyone
on the High Sierra staff and production crew, and of course, all you crazy
freaks … Feeesssssttivvaaaaaaaaaaaalllll!!!
Ted Kartzman (Rhapsody):
1. My Morning Jacket late nite - The entire set rocked,
and having a crew of serious MMJ lovers surrounding on all sides, the
energy was kept focused. I could hardly leave to refill my Jameson or
relieve the bladder! Besides Brad and Andrew Barr throwing magic red energy
balls through Jim's brain during "Golden" also at the encore,
Jim thanked us for coming to their show at the "Arctic Tent"
and we yelled "Anytime, Jim!" Then they played "Anytime"
- I thought that was sweet! "Things I could say to myself - I could
never say to anyone else....But what Madonna said really helped - She
said: "Boy, you better learn to express yourself!"
2. Surprise Me Mr. Davis - there's always a moment when Nathan and The
Slip meet up. Whether that moment is a magic trick where a bright red
ball of energy jumps out of your ear or harmonizing on a woman whose smile
is like the Mayflower, this band brings the emotion. It feels like BAM
are so comfortable and happy being the backing band to a magician turned
towel guy at the Y.
3. Toubab Krewe - combining the best of Asheville and Africa, I have loved
this record since it came out earlier this year. I was totally blown away
by their live show. They can jam like a southern rock band but have three
more dimensions to them, part African, part Caribbean and part gypsy/dub/reggae.
The show is really creative, you can't help but shake the bones to music
from cultures you may have not yet experienced!
Steve Adams (ALO):
1. Surprise Me Mr. Davis / Big Meadow Set - Drummer Andrew
holding Dave and Tina Margulies's baby Kai over the drums, sticks in hand,
jamming out a march together. Brad in a beaked mask most of the set. Rockin'
"Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown" cover. Always love hearing The
Slip with Nathan Moore!
2. George Porter, Jr. - Great Big Meadow set with PBS (Porter, Batiste
& Stoltz). Caught the tail end of a playshop with Johnny Vidacovich.
Heard he made quite a presence all over. My favorite was the sit-in with
Tea Leaf Green on the Grand Stand. So cool hearing George and Ben C. trade
bass leads on TLG's "Georgie P" which I think is a nod to the
man himsefl! No doubt a living legend!
3. Zach Gill (ALO) and Tim Bluhm (The Mother Hips) / Troubador Session
- Loved hearing them solo and then back each other up, Tim on guitar and
Zach on wurly. Zach's closer "Watch 'Em Grow" got everyone playing
along and kept those mid-festival-weekend-spirits high.
Scott Samuelson (Camp Harry Capt):
1. SSMD > MMJ Late Night! A special night of music
from some legendary musicians in the Snow Cave. Of note: the answered
request for Holly Would and the "magical" Golden!
2. Jake Shimabukuro Ukulele Playshop One of those uniquely
magical High Sierra Moments. Jake stopped after one of the best jams of
the afternoon to remark how blessed he felt to be up there with Futureman
and Joe Craven. I think everyone in the room was feeling the exact same
way. Thanks Jake!
3. Son Volt Mainstage A perfect blend of pretty country
and dirty rock being laid down as the sun was setting on yet another gorgeous
day at High Sierra.
"Like the man said, rode hard and put away wet
Throw away the bad news, and put it to rest
If learning is living, and the truth is a state of mind
You'll find it's better at the end of the line."
4. Honorable mention and a special shout out to all the
musicians who stopped by Camp Harry: The White Thighs, Surprise Me Mr.
Davis, Apollo Sunshine, My Morning Jacket, JFJO, ALO, The Motet, Steel
Train, and anyone else I've forgotten in the haze that was a legendary
weekend!
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