I hardly know where to start about this weekend. Met some old music scene faces, old Bonabuds and met a couple of new ones for the first time. I was mainly there to meet up with my friend, the stupendously talented and utterly gorgeous Anne Harris, Otis Taylor's fiddle player, and to see Ryan play again. My wildest hopes and expectations were exceeded.
The Saturday was gray and just a bit too chilly for an outdoor festival, but at least the Germans have plenty of beer, bratwurst, and other goodies available at prices that are far cheaper than in Holland. Thankfully, the expected rain didn't turn up. I was talking to a bunch of German guys, friends of a very nice couple I met in Rhede who are also friends of Bibi's. I mentioned that I was waiting for Anne to show up, and three of them went gaga, proclaiming their undying admiration and lust for her. Could I possibly arrange for them to meet her, they asked? I told them that I was pretty sure that Anne would be happy to meet fans.
So, I met up with Anne and we were standing together in the crowd watching Trampled Under Foot, whom I had never seen before. I thought they were great, and Danielle Schnebelin has some pipes! I had just said to her, 'this is the stage where I first saw Michael (Burks) play', when she said, 'look, there's Terry' while pointing to someone walking about 20 feet away. My instant reaction was, 'Terry who?', though the person looked familiar. 'Michael's bass player,' she said. My jaw dropped at this coinkydink!
We called him, he came over, he recognized me too, we talked briefly, and when he realized that I was the guy who shot 'The last ever video', we fell into each other's arms with a huge, and very emotional, man hug. It was a unique moment. Terry Grayson then said that running into me like this had not only made his day, this chance encounter had made his entire tour! He then told me that my film was played when Michael received his two posthumous BMA awards last week. I was both stunned and moved. As you can probably imagine, my time with Anne and my chance encounter with Terry very much overshadowed everything else, even the impact of so much good music.
I have now 'discovered' TUF, as well as JJ Gray and Mofro. JJ has an incredible voice, and his band was kick-ass good. These two were by far the most impressive of the bands I hadn't seen before. Otis Taylor's show was way more than expected, due to the stunning stage presence of Anne Harris, who oozes sensuality while playing the fiddle beautifully, and who has charisma with a capital C. She 'made' the show.
Thankfully, Sunday was quite a bit warmer, though very little sun. Ryan stole the day. I reckon he sold more merch than the other acts put together. Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band was kind of fun, though I couldn't get used to his voice. Old time showman Vasti Jackson from Mississippi was a crowd pleaser. Michael's bass player, Terry, is on tour with him and introduced me to him. I somehow have been promoted to being Vasti's 'Under assistant Dutch promo man', with the goal of finding venues for him for the summer of 2014. All in all, a weekend I will never forget!
P.S. Andre, I think "warm and sunny" is a little too much for Sunday's weather...we saw the sun briefly when we got there, after which it disappeared for good. The temperature was 'comfortable' till it got dark, but it was hardly a proper warm late May day. However, it was 1000% better than the utterly horrible stuff I've had ever since I got home.
RIP Iron Man
Rock On and keep the Faith
) Cool and foggy with morning and evening drizzle is forecast, the usual this time of year. Freeze then fry, then freeze again is de rigeure. I hope Joe saves some for Sunday.
