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I still can’t get over all that has been happening up here in the last couple of months.
I was fortunate to be a part of the audience at Tim Easton’s live CD recording at Water Canyon. It had such a true sound, and with Steve Lester on the board, I can’t wait to hear the final cut. I went home singing Tim’s song “Next to You” for days and days.
Vibration Army opened the Earth Day celebration in Yucca Valley with their live loops that had everyone wondering —how’d they do that?
The second Chuckwalla Fest picked the perfect location at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown. There were a few small downpours on Friday night, and then
not one but four rainbows, and two of them were a rare double. The moon was even out full between them. Ahhh the marvels of the desert....
Friday opened amidst the growing dark cumulus with our host Ted Quinn, and continued with Hippie Al Tkach (who doubled as sound man and did a great job),
Ray Duff (who had gum surgery an hour before), and Mark Hughes. Later brought Glenn Patrik, whom I was so happy to spend some time with before he played (the guy is a genius) ... and Rojer Arnold, who was
interviewed by the film crew from New York that were out here making a documentary.
Saturday’s atmosphere was one of a small town festival—everyone brought their children and dogs.
The day started with fresh young talents Emily Adams, Rathmus and The Open Containers. The afternoon continued with Kristina Quigley, the fun cabaret of Really Shooo, and Monet, who, along with Ted Quinn, deserve congratulations for their upcoming baby. Imagine the musical roots and talent he (Sage) will have!
The evening was glorious under the stars with Wooden Nickel (Ted Quinn, Tal Hurley and Sue Bradley).
While they were singing “Only So Many Heartbeats,” we realized that this weekend was the anniversary of our dear friend Kyoti King’s passing into the glorious light that awaited him on the other side. And Ruben Martinez has never sounded better and should have a new CD out soon. (One of the Fest highlights was during Ruben’s set, when Quinn’s wonderdog Negra brought Ruben out a pack of guitar strings and sat in the front of the stage).
The women of Mojave Moon really topped the evening, followed by local favorites Honky Tonk Train. The evening ended with the wistful and talented
Victoria Williams, who did a version of “You are Loved” with backup vocals sung by none other than Pappy’s own Robyn Celia. Thanks to everyone that helped make this event a success for the children’s programs of the
High Desert Living Arts Center. And that’s what it really was about—coming together to help provide art and music training for the children of the Morongo Basin. Special thanks to my pal Leslie Layman, without
whom I could not have made it through the weekend.
The documentary production team headed by Don Dinicola and Chris Trent, John Tanzer plus our favorite dp John Pirozzi (a very smart man with an amazing
eye), and writer Fred Tietz were so fun to hang out with that I didn’t want them to leave.
I would not be surprised if a couple of them returned to live. They interviewed our eclectic congregation of local musicians: Victoria Williams, Eric Burdon, Ted Quinn (in front of a beautiful campfire), the Sibleys, Gram Rabbit and others who are involved in various aspects of our amazing artistic community. They filmed Quinn’s “Peacenik at the Beatnik,” which included performances from Shawn Mafia, Really Shoo, and Hi Hopes.
And how proud are we of Gram Rabbit! They blew away a crowd all wearing traditional rabbit ears at Coachella Fest, and got a small write-up in Daily Variety.
Congratulations to Terry Anderson, who is finally getting out his dance re-mixes; they are exciting.
I have heard “Send Me an Angel,” which had me dancing around the house and ready to go out and do it on the dance floor.
Once again, Kris and Barnett English outdid themselves with this year’s Joshua Tree Music Festival.
The secret is out, and there were people from all over the globe. Friday started with the blessing of the stage, everyone coming together in friendship and love in a circle, followed by a soothing and beautiful set by our own troubadour, Ted Quinn. Ken Will Morton and the Holy Ghosts also turned in a rousing set followed by The John Butler Trio, who had everyone dancing. There was so much color and love everywhere you looked, and tears welled up in my eyes as I pulled down Sunfair Road from the highway realizing this was going on in our own backyard.
My biggest fear when I moved up here was not having any live music. The joke was on me.
Saturday opened with our dear friend Bingo (with the lovely Jesse on drums), and a cool wind blowing. Bingo’s sound just soothes the soul. He was followed by Tim Easton, who, while singing “All the Pretty Girls Leave Town,” had a truckload of scantily clad ladies drive by in a coincidental moment. I can’t say enough about Tim, he is a gem.
Then there was our own desert angel, Victoria Williams. Vic is truly a being of light. When she was singing, I was watching the faces of the people watching
her, and they were so happy and enlightened. She had us locals in tears when she sang of Kashmir, Fred Drake’s beloved horse. She is so unassuming and lovely, you just can’t help but smile. Vic…you are loved.
Really Shooo had props and keyboards set up in the kids’ village, and the children were having so much fun participating.
Ellen and Billy are wonderful with children and will also be teaching this summer for the High Desert Living Arts summer program for kids.
So, thank you Kris and Barnett, and congratulations on the upcoming birth of your child. Can’t wait till next year to see you with baby!
It was an amazing weekend, and I thought maybe I should take it easy and rest for awhile. But then I thought about all the things coming up this
summer. Bring em on! W
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