Just came from Day One of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass fest in Golden Gate Park.
Highlights:
- Michael Peasall (I figure he's the dad) saying of the Peasall Sisters (they're teenagers now, much grown since O Brother, Where Art Thou?, "But if any young men looking for a girlfriend come by the merchandise booth to introduce themselves, I've got a gun and a shovel and I won't hesitate to use them both."
- The Hot Club of Cowtown was a revelation -- joyous, infectious Western swing. I gotta check one of their albums out.
- A blistering cover of "Cumberland Blues" from The Waybacks, with Darol Anger on guest violin. (Only downside: a ton of hippies in their fifties freaking out while this was playing.)
- Nick Lowe ending his mostly-solo set with a hushed, dead-serious version of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love And Understanding."
- I had to choose between John Prine and Steve Earle -- went to Earle's moving though predictably downbeat set, though he opened with a hearty "F The CC." (Loved the way some parents had to cover their kids' ears, especially when he asked the audience to shout "F-U-C-K" with him.
- Ralph Stanley's hilariously immodest self-introduction. Well, he's earned it.
- Best of all: Buddy and Julie Miller singing the heartbreaking duet "Forever Has Come To An End" -- and then Emmylou Harris, in full Meg-Ryan-Goes-To-Safeway gear (she was wearing dark glasses and a baseball cap), jumps on stage to do third-part harmony. The audience seemed stunned, as was I.
Later tonight: White Magic! Six Organs Of Admittance! And best of all, Ghost!
Tomorrow, depending on whether my daughter Izzy will put up with it: Gillian Welch!
Posted by the wily filipino at October 2, 2004 07:49 PM