It was a gorgeous August weekend, in the Poconos, as Big Boulder Ski Resort played host to what was billed as a weekend of peace, love, and music. Nestled in the mountains of eastern PA, at the intersection of I-81 and the PA Turnpike, this memorial to the spirit of Jerry Garcia and the Dead involved two long, lazy days of music, vendors of tie dyed/multicolored and hemp clothing, beautiful jewelry, hand made drums, hard-to-find recordings, great food, and perfect weather.
And all the artists allowed taping.
While I don't think it was comparable to '67s "Summer of Love," it did meet those three criteria. The vibe was decidedly peaceful and laid back - due no doubt, to the ubiquitous smoking, there were plenty of displays of open sexuality, and some hot jams. I'll address the latter.
Saturday's line-up, divided between two stages, included; Living Earth, Solar Circus, Strawberry Alarm Clock with Spencer Davis, Zero, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Randy Hansen doing a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, and the Jefferson Starship with Paul Kantner, Jack Cassidy, and Marty Balin.
Of these seven acts, only Solar Circus, Zero, and Randy Hansen satisified. And ironically, all three were on the 2nd stage. Both Solar Circus and Zero are technically advanced improvisational teams, which craft and modify intricate arrangments through complex musical mazes and permutations, while always managing to find their way back to the original "head." Tinges of jazz, pop, rock, country, and of course the Dead inform and influence their individual styles - which differ, while drawing inspiration from the same well(s).
Randy Hansen was in a class by himself. He (for better or worse depending, on how ya' look at it) has Hendrix down cold. The sound, The technique - including playing with his feet, tossing the guitar in the air in mid phrase, and setting it on fire at the end of the set - the attitiude, and the arrangements. It was Hendrix. What more can ya say?
Sunday's line-up was more consistent, featuring outstanding sets by Fungus, Oroboros, the David Nelson Band, the Memphis Pilgrims (substituted for an exhausted Matt Kelly), Spirit, Richie Havens, and the Band.
The afternoon opened with a competent set of Dead covers by locals Fungus, followed by a tight, jamming set by Oroborus - which was comparable in style and intensity to Solar Circus and Zero's sets, on the same stage, the day before.
Unlike the previous day, the energy continued to grow with an outstanding set by David Nelson, co-founder of New Riders of the Purple Sage. Starting with an acoustic flavored group of songs which drew on the rootsy blues and early country that influenced NRPS and other psychedelic cowboys in the late 60s, David and his band dug deep into their songbag of country, rock, and psychedelic styles. As they made the transition to an electrified set, it became obvious David's keeping those styles alive today, performing fresh exciting music which draws from and builds on those strong foundations. This was far from a nostalgic revisiting down a memory lane of favorite "classics" (unlike the sets from saturday's survivors).
Things just kept getting better as Spirit took the 2nd stage. Featuring Randy California and his father, 73 year old Jack Cassidy, they performed songs from the first four Spirit albums, as well as material from Randy's solo projects and a blues-rock song from an upcoming album. It was their rendition of Hendrix's "Red House" however, which remains one of the most intense songs I captured on tape all weekend (and my personal favorite).
Things shifted into "mellow mode," with the Memphis Pilgrim's set on the first stage. Featuring founding members of Hot Tuna, Michael Falzarano (guitar) and Harvey Sorgen (drums), they performed Dead staples like "Morning Dew" and "Big Boss Man," as well as R&B and blues classics that rounded out Hot Tuna's (not to mention the Dead's) repertoire.. The band gave the audience a solid hour of swinging dance music that had plenty of folks swayin' and groovin' in the warm afternoon sun.
Then Richie Havens spent a laid back hour sharing anecdotes and covers of contemporary folk songs, giving the festival a taste of the 60s folk scene. This set was, unfortunately, plagued by long pauses for tuning and - I'm sorry but... BORING TALES. I wanted to hear more music because I've always liked his arrangements. But as I learned later, the rap is part of the act.
Finally, the festival was capped by the expected great performance by the Band. Mixing songs from their extensive catalog, they demonstrated why they continue to be one of the most popular acts with roots in the 60s. While most of their peers seemed focused on reliving bygone glories, the Band continues to write and perform with the same high standards they established at their inception. It was a fitting hour-and-a-half ending to a "jam packed" (pardon the pun) weekend.
For more information about the Gathering, and other weekend long summer festivals hosted by Big Boulder, visit their website at: http://www.big2resorts.com
