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FloydFest V
Los Lobos
The Avett Brothers
Donna The Buffalo
Eddie From Ohio
The Campbell Brothers
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FloydFest V
Floyd, VA
7/27/2006 - 7/30/2006
By: David Strickler
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"What's that big, orange thing up in the sky?" It's amazing
just how many times that question was posed by musicians,
fans and festival organizers at July's FloydFest V, annually
held adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd,
Virginia. After years of rain, oftentimes simply mist, yet on
other occasions falling quite weightily on the faithful masses,
this year started out sunny, ended sunny and remained fair
in between.
Once a three-day event, this year also saw the addition of a
Thursday night line-up to not only appease the early
arrivals, but also to give something back to the large
number of volunteers who help out with such important tasks
as parking, trash pick-up and security. This extra night of
music included The Rockridge Brothers, No Speed Limit,
Unifire, and the fiddle-based, jam-grass band Railroad
Earth.
Friday saw a high-energy, rocking set from Sun Dried
Opossum featuring "What You Gonna Wear," "Can't Trust
Nobody" and the oh so sincere "Tear Down The Walls," with
lead singer and guitarist Steve Sutton sounding remarkably
reminiscent of Steve Earle. In addition to the daytime fare,
the wonderfully serene and nicely updated Garden Stage
(beer garden), had nice sets by the Vulgar Brothers,
Kill-Basa Bill, Jan Smith and the rich, soulful songs of Kat
Mills, accompanied quite adroitly by hubby Nick on
banjo.
As daylight faded into a Blue Ridge mountain evening, the
surreal, yet strangely mesmerizing Gabby La La strode onto
the Hill Holler stage in a headdress that George Clinton
would find gaudy. This diminutive performer played
everything from the sitar to the Theremin, from accordion to
a toy piano. "The Petaluma Song" is not to be missed and
addresses that oldest of evolutionary dilemmas, which came
first, the chicken or the egg.
Later, on the Main Stage, Leftover Salmon founder Drew
Emmitt showcased the talent his band bears forth on a
rousing assortment of original songs and covers featuring
mandolinist Tim O'Brien, his second trip to the stage that
day. A stirring cover of Dylan's "Paint My Masterpiece" was
truly a sonic gem. Percussion god Cyro Baptista and his
band Beat The Donkey rounded out an already full day with
enthralling music, hypnotic rhythms and captivating visual
delights with their Tito Puente meets Frank Zappa
sound.
Saturday dawned clear and early with Sonicbids winner
American Dumpster starting things off on the Main Stage
with their amalgam of once discarded, yet now resurrected
musical stylings.
The sacred-steel resonance of the mighty Campbell Brothers
kept the dancing going and with Phil Campbell's sage advice
of "Don't let the devil ride, 'cause if you let him ride, he'll
want to drive," somehow making perfectly clear sense in my
fog-shrouded mind, I filed that gem away to hopefully recall
when it's needed most. Afterwards, Virginia-based band
Eddie From Ohio, sauntered onto the Hill Holler stage, and
aptly owned it for their set. Possessing pitch-perfect
harmonies and ample onstage banter, these guys and gal
kept the anywhere from 7 to 77 crowd well
entertained.
A somewhat, or should I say somehow, more melodic than
normal show by stompgrass kings The Avett Brothers was
followed by crowd faves Donna The Buffalo, whose spotlight
was a glorious afternoon sun.
Ukulele prodigy Jake Shimabukuro followed, playing
everything from Schubert's "Ave Maria" to Harrison's "While
My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Festival attendee Bruce
Pitner accurately compared him to another young master of
a similar instrument, Nickel Creek's Chris Thile. He is truly
an amazing musician and should not be missed if the
opportunity affords itself.
Festival headliners Los Lobos rounded off the Main Stage
excitement with their always-appealing mix of Chicano rock
and blues, and as usual leaving the crowd wanting
more.
Sunday brought a solo set with Rory Block, a rather moving
assortment of songs by Iris Dement and the always
delightful Adrienne Young and Little Sadie. The sun was out
in full force however, so the shady areas were quite popular
and well occupied.
Nowhere on festival grounds was it more sun-free than in
the beer garden where Devon Sproule & Paul Curreri, Jan
Smith (with Jeff Voglesang accompanying on mandolin), and
Kat Mills all held court. I'm not sure whether it was the heat
or the tasty adult beverages, but I couldn't have been any
happier just listening to Mills soundcheck - "checkin',
checkin', checkin', checkin' on my amp" - the rest of the
day.
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