Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Fest: Sights and Sounds (saturday)
Dirty Three-Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
'What hath Warren Hellman wrought' from here on out will pretty much be the mantra when one speaks of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. Held each year in Golden Gate Park as free community event, it has already achieved an infamous status given its shotgun booking and utter disregard for genre conventions. With Mr. Hellman's passing, the show, however bittersweet, does go on.
This year was no exception, and just the taste I got on Saturday is enough to draw out the big picture. The action began with the Dirty Three, leading into Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones, turning up the volume for the Heartless Bastards, before heading to the Porch stage for an appointment with Robyn Hitchcock. Hitchcock, although billed solo, never seems to walk alone, and today's treat was John Paul Jones, (Led Zeppelin), joining in on mandolin. Good things always seem to happen in the proximity of the Kara's Cupcakes van.
Seems hard to top, but for sheer gravitas, all it takes is a few moments in the company of the Chieftains, who served as a one band testament to the spirit of the festival. An uncharacteristically flat set by Steve Earle was redeemed by his crackerjack band, the Dukes and Duchesses. Rounding off the day was a rare stateside appearance by Oakland expat turned European son: Seasick Steve, who was also treated to some help from Mr. Jones, who manned a bass for much of his set. Seasick Steve was well received, and came back out to greet the crowd, sounding geniunely touched by the crowd's rabid affection.
On a closing note, it was reported that Mr. Jones worked overtime, appearing multiple times the following day, including sitting in with Tucson heroes Giant Sand.
Dirty Three
Dirty Three
Dirty Three
Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones
Dave Alvin
Lisa Pankratz, powerhouse drummer hiding behind Dave's Fender amp
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