Newport Folk!!!

[all my life is obscene]

I'm gonna give a Newport Folk recollection a go here folks...

It was a perfect day at the Fort Adams State Park for the Newport Folk Festival this past Sunday, with the sun shining down upon a fleet of white sails floating by in the bay behind me, and a crowd of happy folks gathered in front of me to enjoy the musical talents of some great musicians.  During my time at the festival I was able to see Old Crow Medicine Show, Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Kasey Chambers, Jim Lauderdale, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and of course M. Ward, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, and the man himself: Jim James.

The last show was, of course, the highlight for me.  While most of the crowd enjoyed watching the acts from the comfort of beach chairs or blankets, I was determined to stand up and really enjoy myself during Jim's set.  I found a spot on the ground close to the front of the crowd, but also within view of the backstage area behind the stage.  I could see a trailer that many of the artists were coming in and out of during the day, and I had a feeling in my bones that I would see Jim walk right out of its door.  While listening and enjoying the Kasey Chambers set, I was actually focusing my attention on that trailer, and sure enough the door opened, and out stepped Jim.  In a flash I was up on my feet and dodging coolers, beach chairs, and sun bathers in order to make my way to the fence encircling the backstage area.  Some luck must have been on my side that day, because Jim saw me (most likely leering and grinning like an idiot), and made his way over.  I got a Jim James handshake, and in typical obsessed-fan-fashion, I told him how much I appreciate MMJ's music, how I'd seen the Jacket twice already this summer, couldn't wait to see him up there doing some of the acoustic tunes, and was anxiously awaiting the release of "Z," and thanked him for basically being the man.  I recall other people on this forum talking about meeting Jim, and they've always mentioned how down-to-earth and appreciative of his fans he is...I have to agree completely.  He had a big grin on his face and had no problem with signing my Newport Folk schedule (I am going to frame my Jim James #34 autograph!!!).  He mentioned he was feeling a little sick with a cold, and that he didn't know how his voice was going to sound, but I assured him that, regardless, there were a lot of people out in the audience who would love every moment he was up on stage, and that I was sure he would be fine.  I was correct, and the whole show just rocked.

I'll do my best at recalling how the show went down...this is in no particular order:

MMJ songs:
-At Dawn...with M. Ward and a percussionist, I couldn't tell if it was Pat...this was the opener, it had a very full sound, and was done at a faster tempo...in other words, it ROCKED
-Bermuda Highway...solo and beautiful
-Golden...with M. Ward on the harmonies and I forget the name of the guy on lap steel
-Off the Record...great acoustic version...with Pat on drums!!!
-I think there might have also been some new songs from Z I didn't know...they sounded great though

M. Ward:
-Duet For Guitars #2...this was utterly amazing—M. Ward makes one guitar sound like three
-Vincent O'Brien...I believe Jim on harmonies and omnichord
-Undertaker...M. Ward solo
-Helicopter...everyone joined in
-One Life Away...Jim on harmonies and omnichord
-Fuel For Fire... Jim on harmonies and omnichord

Bright Eyes:
-At the Bottom of Everything...everyone joined in
-We Are Nowhere And It's Now...Jim on Harmonies, M. Ward guitar, again I forget the name of the guy playing mandolin
-First Day of My Life...Conor solo
-Landlocked Blues...Jim on harmonies

As mentioned earlier, the trio also did a version of "Been All Around the World," which was great.

I'm interested to hear from other people on their thoughts...I had a blast, wished Jim and M. Ward could have kept on playing till the sun set.  Peace.

[EC]

I just got a little rush over here in Canada.  Patrick was there, too?  That's so cool.  

Wow.  I can't imagine a nicer set.  Looks like M Ward played all my favourite tunes.  

That's really nice that you got to meet Jim and tell him how much you like him.

I'm so glad that you posted.  I really wanted to know how it was.  :)

[Jellyfish]

Thanks for your review and setlist....I hope someone was taping. ;)

[Specialist]

very nice!

I can't wait for the day where i can see a Jim acoustic show.

how was Elvis Costello?  i saw him in March at the Ryman.

[sweatboard]

Great review. Thanks so much for posting, I was hopeing someone would be able to tell us about it and you did a great job.  Please tell me someone got a nice recording of this show.  I really need to here "off the record" acoustic and Jim using omnitone on M.'s songs.  

[EC]

(honey, it's omnichord, unless there's a special variety of it...  :))

[sweatboard]

Shit, I always call it an Omnitone.  I can't ever remember that.  

[EC]

Shit, I always call it an Omnitone.  I can't ever remember that.  

It's kind of nice, though...  :)

[sweatboard]

I'm just sittin here playing "Time" on my acoustic guitar.  I can't believe I learned it so quickly, I really love that song. ;)  Thanks Meg.

[sweatboard]

"I don't care about logistics or our plans, all I want's to see you and to make out in your van"  So Awesome!!!!! ;D

[EC]

Now, if only I could hear you singing it:  "I'm your giiiiiirl."  ;)

(That's kind of neat.)