Right on. I was there when Conor’s set started and I was up dancing and enjoying it for a few songs and then I left to go back to camp. I don’t listen to words so much as I do the music, and what I did hear, I liked. Didn’t hear the whole set, but good grief, why go on and on about it. I hear tell that there are those out there who don’t like banjo music. :lol :lol :lol :festivarian2
Umm. . . y’know, 10K is a “small venue”. Check the attendance at JazzFest or Newport or Merlefest?
While I respect Ryan Adams as a songwriter and recording artist,
as a performance artist…I’m sorry, folks, but I would not pay to
see him.
However, keep in mind that the first time I saw RA, he
was part of Phil Lesh & Friends at the Denver Fillmore back in
July 2005. I’m just going to cut to the chase and say that was
one of the single worst shows I’ve ever experienced in over
31 years of live music; and it was strictly because Ryan was
not with it and butchered song after song, whether it was
badly messing up lyrics or being unable to execute a guitar solo
of sustenance. As a 26+ year Deadhead, I wound up leaving
midway through the second set, as I get fed up with watching
with the equivalent of a first rehearsal!
That said, I found Conor Oberst’s set to be pedestrian, to the
point it boggles me that Gillian Welch & David Rawlings opened up
several shows for Oberst under his Bright Eyes moniker early last year!
However, Planet Bluegrass is to be applauded for giving these artists an
opportunity, because it is truly rare when you enjoy every artist because of a
matter of individual tastes. Sometimes the gamble misfires, but when it
works like the stellar set by the Carolina Chocolate Drops at last
year’s Rockygrass; it makes your festivarian experience that much
more special!
I was not able to see RA at TBF last year but did see him two years ago at a nice indoor venue here in St. Louis and he along with the Cardinals were just phenomenal. That being said, I rarely seek out his recordings on my Itunes catalog. I know he has had some problems to the point that he is now not performing.
Lets just focus on the positive here kids and get back to talking about all the wonderful music that PB provided for us!
When I got back to my tarp there were 10 or so 16-18 year old girls swooning, singing every word, and gabbing about how excited they were to be seeing him. I sat for a song, and decided to let the teens put my tarp to good use. It was not for me.
I have tried to listen to several 5 star rated RA shows on archive and once again, not for me. I sure as heck would have given him a shot to entertain me, though.
“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaV-nGQ5yqw&feature=related”
^That pretty much sums up my experience, where were the marsh mellows during the Oberst-ing???
see ya next year, Oberst or not(hopefully not!)