Topic: Hippiefest
We did something a little different on Saturday night and really had a good time. We went to see "Hippiefest" - a group show with various heavy-hitters from the 60's and 70's. There is a bit of rotation of the performers on while on Tour. For instance, we did not get to see Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Zombies, The Rascals, Mountain, Mitch Ryder, Denny Laine (the Moody Blues), The Hollies, or Janis Ian - but they have been or ARE out there on this tour...... just check out the different line-ups in your area. We were able to see Jack Bruce, The Turtles, Badfinger, Melanie, and Jonathan Edwards. Here's the website: www.hippiefest.net
It has been about 40 years since most of these people were at the "top of their game". I really anticipated voices without strength and generally watered down performances. I was wrong. There were a few moments of weakness - but, overall, I was thoroughly impressed and had a GREAT time. It's a good sing along kind of tour too - if you KNOW these songs ..... as did MANY people in the audience.
So...... since I don't have any video (yet) of the actual event to upload to youtube, I'm attaching links to several other current or original performances so that you'll get a feeling of the show......
Most of the artist's appearances are greatly changed from their younger days - but THAT should be expected. Jack Bruce, in particular, has had liver cancer and TWO liver transplants, from what I here. He doesn't LOOK great, but, OMG, does he SOUND great. If you DON'T go for any other reason - I highly recommend going JUST to see JACK. His support was very impressive. I'm telling you - I was sitting on the aisle in the second row and FELT like I was watching CREAM. It was QUITE INCREDIBLE.
Flo and Eddie of the Turtles emceed the evening's festivities - lighthearted, funny, silly...... Jonathan Edwards looks the same as he always did and has an AMAZING VOICE - I turned to Steve after a spine-tingling brillian a cappella performance and said, "THAT is perfect pitch." Melanie's voice is also still INCREDIBLE, and she was accompanied by her son. Actually, the evening was sprinkled with stories of what has been going on in their lives and families for all these decades.
The show went on for a little more than 2 1/2 hours. Each performer played about 3-5 songs. Generally, it was a very upbeat, feel good, affordable evening with a GIANT exclamation point put on the end of it with an absolutely SUPERB performance by the incomparable Jack Bruce. It never occurred to me that I would ever have the OPPORTUNITY to see him, let alone how MUCH it would mean - how HONORED and LUCKY I would feel. Wow. I'd go again in a second.
Check it out...........................
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Bk57K4OGrAg& … re=related Badfinger "Come and Get It"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dclISza-DJ0 and "Day After Day"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=C53QAuOoSgc& … re=related and "Baby Blue"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dKJO8Sy0ugQ Melanie - "Brand New Key"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lJGfhWq68DE and "Lay Down"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kJD__PwWS_Q Jack Bruce "I Feel Free"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XBiM9kn8pg4 and "White Room"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pqqad7L6iVs& … re=related Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gfuRz1w_8ss The Turtles "Happy Together" - Flo and Eddy (the lead singers who also worked with ZAPPA!!??!!)
and, a couple of articles:
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a … tylesfront
http://www.pe.com/music/stories/PE_News … 41ed9.html
Have fun.
Libby
Bill S.