"It's too f*ckin' hot for Santa Claus!" Midway through Bruce Springsteen's 3.5 hr marathon set Saturday night at Bonnaroo, he descended into the crowd and grabbed posters from fans with song requests scrawled on them. One fan offered a full size picture of Santa Claus to which Bruce responded with the quote above, before he finally relented and busted out a truly inspired rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". This was just one unexpected and incredible moment in a weekend that was jam packed with them.
Simply put, the 8th Bonnaroo festival was a marvel in every respect. From the huge and diverse lineup, to the smart stage and vendor layout in Centeroo, to the meticulous organization of the campgrounds and the frequent porta-potty cleanings, it is obvious that the Bonnaroo team is a group of seasoned veterans.
And let's not forget the music! Aside from the epic headlining sets by Phish and Bruce (including an instantly legendary collaboration during Phish's set on Sunday), there was enough music to satiate even the most voracious live music fan. In fact, there was almost too much music, to the point where we had to miss a few acts we really wanted to see or else risk succumbing to exhaustion. Of the acts that we did catch, a few really stood out from the rest: Dirty Projectors, Amadou & Miriam, Santigold, Gomez, Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate, Jessica Lee Mayfield, Elivs Perkins in Dearland, David Byrne were among the highlights. We also really enjoyed the different atmospheres throughout the festival. For example, on Friday, The Other Tent was African themed; on Saturday it transformed into a Bluegrass hoedown. It's also really neat to be able to see an intimate show with 70 other people in a tent (Where Cafe) and then walk a few steps and be in a field with 60,000+ people watching Snoop Dogg!
The only negative thing I have to say about the festival was that I fear that Bonnaroo may have outdone themselves -- who on earth could they possibly put on the bill next year to top this year's lineup?!?
"The Magic Rat Drove His Slick Machine Over the Jersey State Line"
Nearly four years ago, Columbia remastered and reissued The Boss's American masterpiece Born to Run for its 30th anniversary. Complete with two incredible DVD's, one following the intensely epic recording sessions, the other a full length a cathartic, goosebump inducing, heart wrenching, dance-your-ass-off 1975 concert at London's Hammersmith Odeon, the box set is an essential piece of the Rock and Roll history puzzle. Personally, I've never seen better footage of Bruce. The recording captures him at his peak, performing like a rag doll in his signature beanie, with the Big Man by his side. If you thought the Super Bowl Half Time Show was sweet, peep this asap, as its proof that the Boss is absolutely the coolest, most genuine guy alive. Period.
"The fireworks are hailing over little eden tonight" Last night organist, accordion player and founding member of the E Street Band, Danny Federici passed away after a bout with melanoma. Federici's organ fills were an integral part of the E Street Bands unique sound, while his accordion gave Bruce's songs a timeless, old world quality. One of his most notable and most beautiful contributions is the accordion solo on "4th of July, Asbury Park", aka "Sandy." Watch Federici get majestic in this video of Bruce and the E Street Band performing at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1975. This classic performance, one of the sweetest live captures from Bruce at his peak, is included in the remastered, 25th anniversary Born to Run box set. R.I.P Danny, you will be missed.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band live at the Hammersmith Odeon, 1975
"I Woke Up Today" (Photo by IRockIRoll) There was a good chance Pianos could've burned to the ground last night. And if Port O'Brien happened to lit the spark that burned down the Lower East Side, it's safe to say that anyone in attendance would've been cool with it. That said, Port O'Brien absolutely destroyed the minds of New York hipsters, who, as usual, stood around like nothing that important was going on. Truth be told, any band that works as hard as Port O'Brien is sure to make a name for themselves. Especially with songs like "I Woke Up Today", a ravaged shanty anthem that felt like a call to arms, a definite highlight of the evening.
While I'm not too familiar with the bands catalog, another undisputed highlight was "A Fishermans Son", which featured one of the most unexpected, yet utterly smooth segues I've heard in a long time. I caught a few songs of theirs back in October when they were supporting Rogue Wave and remember feeling a sort of Arcade Fire vibe. Truth is, Van Pierszalowski bears more than an uncanny resemblance to a Mr. Win Butler. But throw similarities out the door (like when you think of My Morning Jacket/Band of Horses/ Fleet Foxes) because Port O'Brien is a savaged beast of a band with the seemingly rare ability to "take ya to church." A blood wrenching assault of banjos, tin cans, Americana guitars and shout along vocals transformed Pianos into what felt like a Depression era labor rally in Hooverville. Working class punk rock for kids who don't get skinny jeans, neon t-shirts, and guyliner.
Throughout the evening Port O'Brien kept reminding me of the Pogues, which makes sense as Van Pierszalowski and Shane MacGowan share a similar blood boiled intensity and both bands bash through a ramshackle revival of traditional folk music. Drunken shanty town sing-a-longs for sure. Port O'Brien's blue collar spirit is real (Pierszalowski works on his fathers fishing boat in Alaska every summer) and would make Woody Guthrie proud. Robert Hunter once noted the best compliment he ever received was from a coal miner in the Cumberland Gap who actually thought the Grateful Dead's "Cumberland Blues" was a real miners tune. Something tells me that the fishermen in Alaska will one day be saying the same thing about a high percentage of the Port O'Brien catalog. Expect to hear about this band changing lives in the coming years (days, months).
(Photo by Pupkin) After a short break, Delta Spirit took to what was left of the stage Port O'Brien destroyed for a set of their signature retro leaning Americana. The band, who seem to have miraculously bridged the time continuum between 2008 and sometime back before I was born, was in fine form, playing a host of new songs and selected gems from last years Ode to Sunshine. Things seem like their in full swing for Delta Spirit; their performance a lot tighter and, for better or worse, sleeker than when we caught them at Maxwell's last Fall. (Coincidently, not long after seeing Port O'Brien at the same venue.) The San Diego quintet treated the sold out (?) crowd to "House for Two", "Strangevine" and "People C'mon", amongst , including a few new tracks ("Oh Vivian", "Throwing Stones"). A very poignant show from Delta Spirit, who finished with their trademark social reform ballad "People Turn Around." Like the last time we saw the Spirit, we left wondering the same thing: Why the hell aren't these guys huge?
Port O'Brien is self releasing a new album, All We Could Do Was Sing, on May 13th. Needless to say, after last night, we are really fucking psyched about it. In the meantime you can feast your ears on a few tracks from their recent Daytrotter session, including an alternative arrangement of "I Woke Up Today" titled "Simple Way."A video of "I Woke Up Today", although incomplete, is a indicative of Port O'Brien's live show. It's bad ass.
A few weeks back we sorta watched the Grammys. And by sorta I mean, we bitched about the Grammys sucking, blah, blah, etc. Chuck was especially beefed after UGK and Outkast didn't win for Best Rap Collaboration. Understandable. (R.I.P PIMP C)
Somehow, in the midst of all this angst, someone, not me, pulled up this Youtube video of an absolutely balls to the wall moment in Grammy history. In this four-guitar tribute to Joe Strummer (R.I.P), Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Little Steven Van Zandy (Sylvio!) and Dave Grohl trade verses on one of the greatest, most anthemic rock and roll songs of all time, period. The four axeman are joined by No Doubt's Tony Kanal on bass, and Pete Thomas, Costello's longtime drummer, on the kit. The clip is so great that we're really hoping these guys quit their day jobs and go out on the road as a Clash cover band.
Best summed up by the uber-excited Canadian in the front row: "Yeah!Oh My God! Holy Fuck!! YEAHHH!!! OH YEAH!! WOO HOO." He follows that up at the end of the tune with "Yeah! Holy Shit!" As articulate as this young reveler was last night, we totally agree with him. Big time goosebumps.
Oh yeah, it's Arcade Fire playing with the Boss. ENJOY!
"It's New Jersey in the Morning Like a Lunar Landscape" While I'm not living in the Dirrty Irrty (JerZ) at the moment, I know the Garden State was bumping the other day, when future governor (we can always hope) Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen announced that he will be releasing a new album with the E STREET BAND(!!!) on October 2nd. That means Magic, issued on Columbia Records is less than 6 weeks away. Longtime friend, manager and former producer Jon Landau had this to say:
"'Magic' is a high energy rock CD. It's light on its feet, incredibly well played by Bruce and the members of the E Street Band, and, as always, has plenty to say. It's also immensely entertaining. 'Magic' is the third collaboration between Bruce and Brendan O'Brien and is a culmination of their very productive creative relationship."
Not to gush, but this is all very exciting. While Magic makes my heart pitter patter, what really gets me going is the inevitable TOUR! Stay tuned for details (your definitely going to want to wake up early to get tix). Below are a couple of my favorite tracks from the masterpeice that is Born to Run. They need to be listened to in succession. Lap em up.
Ahh, New Jersey. The haters can hate all they want, but us natives are proud to call the Garden State home, along with other legends such as Frank Sinatra, Allen Ginsberg, George Benson, and of course, BRUUUUCE!!!
In honor of Independence Day, check out some Parisians surrendering to The Boss's rousing performance of "Born in the USA" from 1985:
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