Jack Attack

Not that it's that thrilling for anyone who wasn't there, but I was surfin' the web and found this performance from the Hippiefest music event that I attended. Here we have Jack grooving out on "Sunshine Of Your Love" and "Sitting On Top Of The World" on his infamous CRB fretless bass. I was in the eighth row and I can actually hear my dad making loud howling sounds near the end, you can also see Jack talking about some guy trying to steal his water near the end. Looking back it sure was an impressive performance and seeing this again is pretty neat.

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out

Here I am back with a midsummer post about something I should of wrote about a few weeks ago enjoy. Today, I'll be reporting back to you my evaluation of my first concert of the summer with an in depth analysis of "Hippiefest 2008" an annual tour which I along with my dad, his friend Dick and Dick's wife Chris attended at the Chateau Ste Michelle in Woodinville. Normally this wouldn't be the kind of event that would spark my interest, but after my dad told me that Jack Bruce of Cream and Joey Molland of 70s Power Pop band Badfinger would be on the bill, I decided to give this a shot.

Cut to July 12th at about 5:00pm, about an hour before the show. Walking in I saw exactly what I knew but dreaded seeing, people in tie-dye. Yeah I understand these people are just trying to have fun with their psychedelic patterns and flowers in their hair but today, it just comes off as kind of superficial and annoying. Which brings me to the event's name "Hippiefest" what did this concert even have to do with the 60s? Badfinger, Jonathan Edwards and Janis Ian were all prominent 70s acts and they made up half the bill, seemed like lazy promotion. All in all this was mostly presented as more of a nostalgia trip than anything else. Not being from the era I'll admit I felt a little out of place, now I know how my dad fees when he attends concerts like Franz Ferdinand and The Killers today. Anyhow here's my input on the show which actually turned out to be pretty fun.


Jonathan Edwards
Starting it off was 70s singer/songwriter Jonathan Edwards. Probably an artist that most wouldn't recognize by name, I'm sure just about everyone has heard Mr. Edwards anti-war anthem "Sunshine". You know "Sunshine go away today, I don't feel much like dancing", it was in some Jeep commercials recently. Mixing a gentle balance of folk, blues, and pop, Jonathan Edwards brought a light, upbeat sound that isn't hard too appreciate. His guitar work was certainly a fine call to old fashioned blues playing and his strong harmonica playing created a nice down home blend. Probably the only part of his set that tuned me out, was the incredibly wimpy acapella piece "This Island Earth" one of those kind of "We can change the world if we try" themed songs that came off as an uninspired, corn-ball morality lesson. Overall Jonathan Edwards was pleasant enough for his styling of music, but not necessarily the kind of music I like to listen to.

Set list
People Get Ready/Train Of Glory
Sunshine
Shanty
This Island Earth


Joey Molland
One of the key artists that brought me out to this event, Joey Molland brought an almost eccentric and optimistic presence that really spread a bright enthusiasm on to the audience. Accompanied by the house band Joey, going with the theme of the concert, basically went up to bang out Badfinger's hits, and even though it was brief it was still an entertaining experience. I'll admit it was strange and a little depressing seeing Joey play songs that he didn't even write, I would of liked to see him do some of his own stuff, but I still considered it a treat to see the last surviving member of one of my favorite 70s bands. He appeared to have a good time and so did I.

Set list
Baby Blue
Come and Get It
Day After Day
No Matter What


Janis Ian
Known in the 60s and mostly 70s for her brand of bittersweet folk, Janis Ian going out with nothing more than an acoustic guitar brought a nice touch of class to this at times cheesy event. I had trouble getting into her music but I still found aspects to enjoy. Her guitar work was quite proficient and her voice has certainly held up pretty nicely over the years. I enjoyed seeing the sweet and tender ballad "At Seventeen" but aside from that it was probably the artist I was least looking forward to.

Set list
Jesse
Society's Child
My Autobiography
At Seventeen


The Turtles Featuring Flo & Eddie
: Next was the wacky antics of Flo and Eddie backed by The Turtles. For anyone who isn't familiar with Flo and Eddie, they are the two lead singers from the memorable 60s group. The audience seemed to respond pretty enthusiastically to their bouncy pop/rock stylings and with their "Yeah we've become a nostalgia group" attitude it was hard not to enjoy them. Utilizing a lot of audience participation and an optimistic energy, The Turtles delivered their memorable hits like "It Ain't Me Babe" and "Happy Together" with a strong stage presence and some quite proficient musicianship. Though probably the group I was least looking forward to, I ended up really enjoying their set.

Set list
You Baby
It Ain't Me Babe
She'd Rather Be With Me
Elenore
Happy Together


Jack Bruce
: Coming to the highlight of the show, who else but the very talented bass aficionado Jack Bruce, formerly of Cream. Being the headlining act and the only artist with T-shirts available it was strange to see Jack go on before Eric Burdon, but I guess he wanted to go first in order to leave early. Jack opened with a solo acoustic rendition of "As You Said" from the 1968 album Wheels of Fire which was probably the most blatant defying of not just playing "Their Hits". Though it was a little disappointing seeing Jack only play Cream material, he still did it with a positive attitude, a lot of energy and some very skilled bass work. It was as well a breath of fresh air to see an artist go up there and mess with the songs that made them famous through skilled jamming and impressive improvisation. This was without a doubt the best part of the show and an artist I'd like to view again sometime in the future.

Set list
As You Said
Sunshine of Your Love
Sitting on Top of the World
I Feel Free
Were Going Wrong
N.S.U
White Room


Eric Burdon and The Animals
Taking the stage to the tune of "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place", was the energetic Eric Burdon and The Animals who were alright but as well one of my least favorite acts. Where Flo and Eddie were very aware of being a nostalgia band, I got the impression that The Animals were taking themselves too seriously, and it translated to a very dry and cheesy performance. Playing mostly blues standards, Eric Burdon himself gave a nice touch of energy while as a whole the group was similar to something you might see on a hokey PBS special. Hardly an act to follow Jack, and kind of anticlimactic but they were still watchable and I still liked them to some extent.

Set list
We've Gotta Get Out of This Place
Sky Pilot
When I Was Young
Boom Boom
Mona
House Of The Rising Sun

So surprisingly, Hippiefest was fun despite the tacky nostalgia aspect. I'd go again if there was an artist like Jack headlining , but even there wasn't I could probably still enjoy it, peace out man.

P.S. I don't know why it says "Melanie" on the poster, I have no idea who that is.