Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 534 Location: SF Bay area
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2003 9:00 am Post subject: the 5 second tease
Saw the Ford Brothers (Patrick, Robben, Mark, Dewayne Pate, and Volker Strifler) at the Ukian Fair last night. SMOKIN'! Robben and Mark measured an 8 on the Richter scale on "Little Red Rooster." Others: "Help the Poor," "My Baby Didn't Come" "Prison of Love" three Bloomfield tunes, 3 of Volker's tunes, and others. I'll try to give a full rundown later; off to Sonora now, to see them play again tonight, and tomorrow night is the Tribute to Bloomfield Band (with Chris Cain.) Hot Summer, huh? WoooooooooooooooooHooooooooooooo!
love, elizabeth
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 534 Location: SF Bay area
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:59 am Post subject: ...take two
Fire on the Mountain was better than I imagined. The Ford Brothers played for an hour and a half...pretty much the same song list from the night before, but NOT AT ALL THE SAME musically. They were absolutely on fire. Robben did a workshop in the afternoon which was, as could be predicted, very well attended. We arrived as it was ending, and who happened to be exiting when we were standing there, but the master. He looked relaxed, happy, and quite refreshed. That was about 2:30. As usual, I saw Robben graciously signing and talking to the many admirers who feel such elation just to be near him.
The Ford Brothers went on at 4:45 and by my watch, they played until 6:20. I heard some Robben free form like I have not heard in quite a while. I don't think I can describe the phenomenal energy and joy that is so apparent when all three brothers play together, but they were definitely having fun! I really liked watching the communication between the three brothers in all of the manifestations: the smiles, the nods, the exuberence.
At Ukiah and yesterday, there were a few times when Mark and Robben slipped into playing almost the exact same thing...truly magical, and if Mark had been smiling anymore, I don't think he would have been able to play. The man is beyond phenomenal on harp, and I cannot imagine why he does not play more. The only thing I can say is that he looks like a very content man, so he must know what he is doing.
At the risk of being really mushy (moi?) the night before (Ukiah) was the quintessential Ford family night. Even the Fords' mom was there (she is beautiful and I think Robben looks very much like her...that same beautiful smile.) I envied the pride she must have felt watching her three children who have grown into such amazing artists, human beings, and. I noticed her feet tapping in time and a very satisfied smile on her face. During their second set (around 9:30) the temperature dropped about 15 degrees and became downright chilly (I love Northern California) and during a break between songs, Mark looked over at her, gave her the most loving smile, then ran off the stage to her to give her his jacket. Okay, so I am a corny one, (you already knew that) but seeing those three brothers, creating the art conceived amidst a loving family, and the mother of those boys reaping the rewards. Hey, I have a son who is developing a love affair with his guitar, and I would love to watch him on stage someday; what a thrill that must be...so sue me.
Dewayne Pate's parents and his aunt were also there; I had met them in Petaluma last March, and they are such wonderful people. I guess they weren't surprised to see that I had made the 150 mile trek to Ukiah. Yesterday, in Sonora, I could swear that I saw Dewayne say to Mark, "There's that WOMAN again," and maybe I am paranoid, but I think I have established a reputation that precedes me....oh well, my mother always told me, "Leave an impression." I wish you could have seen the expression on Dewayne's parents' face during his 5 minute solo. Dewayne's dad was so proud to describe the 5 minute solo Dewayne did in Reno, when he was all alone on the stage....MY SON! I love it. He is such an accomplished bass player, totally unconcerned with his own ego, and makes the whole thing look so damn easy! (Ha!)
This is the third or fourth time I have had the pleasure to see them play several days in succession, and it is a joy to watch. Each day they are more relaxed and stretch a bit beyond territory previously visited. I am really anxious to see them tonight, as this will be the Tribute band, with the addition of Chris Cain, and the Sierra Nevada Brewery is a terrific venue. Well, it is not outside, there will be no blistering heat or substandard P.A. system, so right there it is a step in the right direction. I recall that someone once asked (on the other Robben board) if Jing Chi would play the same set each night...honey, they may be the same song titles, but it is a brand new show each night.
So I will be back after my 200 mile (one way) pilgrimage to Chico tonight. David, I got some KILLER photos of Mark and Robben yesterday. I will try to put them on my computer as soon as I can. Wow, Robben to the third power...it doesn't get any better than that! I will probably be in withdrawal after tonight.
I failed to mention anything about Volker Strifler....man, can that guy play! He doesn't even break a sweat, but he plays the freakin' varnish off of his guitar. Great vocals too, and there does not seem to be the slightest rock and roll ego among any of them. Ahhhhhh, music for the sake of music; how refreshing. All right, so I am corny, mushy, AND a purist.
Boy do I envy you and all other Ford enthusiasts that live in Northern California. Let us know how the tribute concert goes. Man. . . Ford, Cain and Strifler, how can you go wrong?
Off topic: Chico, California, does that bring me back. I participated in an Archaeological dig there back in 1970. I was all of 19 and very much a student/hippie.
I've been listening to The Ford Bros tribute to Paul Butterfield CD lately and you are correct , that is one smokin' sound.
You are fortunate to live in No. Cal and be able to attend these cool events without the driving time being too ridiculous. Also lucky to teach school and have this time of year off. My wife teaches school and enjoys bopping around in the summer also.
I don't know if you are familiar with guitarist Duke Robillard or not, he is very well known in my neck of the woods ( Ithaca, NY ) , in Sept he is touring in New Zealand with Mark Ford and Chris Cain. He is also in the lineup at the Monterey Jazz Fest in late Sept. I'm not sure if it is with the same guys or not. From reading your posts I think you would enjoy his playing very much.
Thanks for your wonderful reviews.
Also : DeWane Pate was the bass player I wrote about in Robben's concert in Syracuse. It really was quite a solo !
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