Green River Festival
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield
July 19-21
By Eric Sutter
The 21st annual Green River Festival kicked off on Thursday, July 19th at the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield, MA with a double bill of Boston-based new voices. Eilen Jewell, part country twang and blues delivered a mix of rootsy singing styles backed by a hot honkytonk band. Crooked Still played a rock inspired style of country, bluegrass and folk.
Friday night shifted to Greenfield Community College with the Bayou Blast represented by the New Orleans styles of Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience and the Subdudes.
Saturday kicked into high gear with the Godfather of Pioneer Valley rock, Ray Mason. The Ray Mason Band cranked out a riveting set or Rock n' Roll revelry, including the title cut of their latest 2007 CD, "Don't Mess With Our Routine." Regional favorites, Rani Arbo + daisy Mayhem followed with their rootsy swingin' bluegrass. Rich four part harmonies touched off by her alto and fiddle flourishes kept upbeat numbers from her their new CD, "Big Old Life", alive and fresh.
The second stage featured performances in an intimate setting with bands Kamikaze Hearts, The Kennedys and Northampton's Primate Fiasco which played a mix of styles in the spirit of "Let The Good Times Roll" as hot air balloons were launched into blue skies. The Main Stage showcased Erin McKeown in her cool syncopated guitar style singing in a beautiful clear mezz-soprano voice. Another treat was an outstanding performance by British R+B singer, James Hunter in a smooth soulful singing style. Tight horn arrangements punched up the soul of "People Gonna Talk." Southern Culture on the Skids played a unique brand of Americana Rock n' Roll. Surf instrumental "Skullbucket" and rockabilly "Mojo Box" conjured up the hellish verve and wild abandon of the late 50's and early 60's. Neko Case sang her mix of Indie-pop and country with a sextet that included pedal steel and banjo. Her lush voice sounded comfortable singing Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" as the pink and blue sunset brought twilight to Greenfield. Headliner Buddy Guy strode on to the Main Stage blues happy at nightfall with electric guitar that cut into "Hoochie Coochie Man." He performed indescribably blue with "Dreams to Remember" Making every possible guitar sound imaginable, Guy imitated his peers playing snippets from B.B. King and Albert King. He segued into John Lee Hooker's "Boom, Boom" and Cream's "Strange Brew" interspersed with Jimi Hendrix. Between his accomplished side guitarist Rick Hall and himself, Guy stylized every major blues player from the last century. The two master guitarists closed with Eric Clapton's "Sunshine of Your Love."
Greenfield
July 19-21
By Eric Sutter
The 21st annual Green River Festival kicked off on Thursday, July 19th at the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield, MA with a double bill of Boston-based new voices. Eilen Jewell, part country twang and blues delivered a mix of rootsy singing styles backed by a hot honkytonk band. Crooked Still played a rock inspired style of country, bluegrass and folk.
Friday night shifted to Greenfield Community College with the Bayou Blast represented by the New Orleans styles of Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience and the Subdudes.
Saturday kicked into high gear with the Godfather of Pioneer Valley rock, Ray Mason. The Ray Mason Band cranked out a riveting set or Rock n' Roll revelry, including the title cut of their latest 2007 CD, "Don't Mess With Our Routine." Regional favorites, Rani Arbo + daisy Mayhem followed with their rootsy swingin' bluegrass. Rich four part harmonies touched off by her alto and fiddle flourishes kept upbeat numbers from her their new CD, "Big Old Life", alive and fresh.
The second stage featured performances in an intimate setting with bands Kamikaze Hearts, The Kennedys and Northampton's Primate Fiasco which played a mix of styles in the spirit of "Let The Good Times Roll" as hot air balloons were launched into blue skies. The Main Stage showcased Erin McKeown in her cool syncopated guitar style singing in a beautiful clear mezz-soprano voice. Another treat was an outstanding performance by British R+B singer, James Hunter in a smooth soulful singing style. Tight horn arrangements punched up the soul of "People Gonna Talk." Southern Culture on the Skids played a unique brand of Americana Rock n' Roll. Surf instrumental "Skullbucket" and rockabilly "Mojo Box" conjured up the hellish verve and wild abandon of the late 50's and early 60's. Neko Case sang her mix of Indie-pop and country with a sextet that included pedal steel and banjo. Her lush voice sounded comfortable singing Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" as the pink and blue sunset brought twilight to Greenfield. Headliner Buddy Guy strode on to the Main Stage blues happy at nightfall with electric guitar that cut into "Hoochie Coochie Man." He performed indescribably blue with "Dreams to Remember" Making every possible guitar sound imaginable, Guy imitated his peers playing snippets from B.B. King and Albert King. He segued into John Lee Hooker's "Boom, Boom" and Cream's "Strange Brew" interspersed with Jimi Hendrix. Between his accomplished side guitarist Rick Hall and himself, Guy stylized every major blues player from the last century. The two master guitarists closed with Eric Clapton's "Sunshine of Your Love."
Labels: greater springfield, green river festival, misc
