July 21, 2013
Review by Schenectady Diamond Dan
Americanarama rolled through Saratoga on the heels of a week of record
breaking heat. After six consecutive 90 degree days, the people were
ready for something cool to blow into town, and Americanarama was the
remedy. My fashionably late arrival allowed me only a distant glimpse of
first upper Ryan Bingham. Fortunately, what I could hear of them (he had
a band) from the parking lot was nice, unfortunately by the time I was
inside, it was over. Lots of room to move in the lovely Saratoga PAC
grounds. The 13 dollar beers and $4.50 bottles of water were tempting,
though I was happy to find several drinking fountains to freely stay
hydrated. Row M in Section 7 turned out to be a very nice spot to
access the My Morning Jacket show. I had zero experience with them
prior to this performance. I found them to be entertaining. Lots of guitar,
and effects, as well as hair on that singer even though he put a black
towel over his head about every other song, They received a good crowd
response, than that singer raised a golden pig over his head, and it was
time for another break. Wilco came on as I was out strolling the rear of
the grounds where on the other side of things I could see the buses and
laminated people walking about Americanaramaville. I remember back
about 10 years ago when I was able to be a pretty heavy Dylan follower,
Angelina from Brooklyn told me about her second favorite act, Wilco.
They sounded really good to my ears, but when I heard em say were
gonna bring out Garth Hudson, I beelined back inside as Long Black Veil
was coming out strong with Garth on Accordian. Tweedy said something
after LBV like accordions are dangerous but accordion players are not.
Garth shedded the Accordian and moved behind a keyboard and wailed
out the wild intro to CHEST FEVER, Price of admission was returned by the
end of this one. Tweedy said after it I dont know how were gonna follow
that. It was a serious contender for highlight of the night no doubt. Fast
forward through break III to Lights out, Stu's noodle, annnnnnnnnnd ......
there off. Bob was out and kickin ass from the start. I forgot to remember
who was playing guitar, seriously, it makes no difference at that point. I
only noticed a change in sound at Beyond here lies nothing, just not as
aggressive a style as it had been. Pretty much the rest of the songs to
my ears sounded the same as there is not much use of the guitar as a
solo instrument for some time now. As the night cooled down The band
was hotter than a rocket, that big old moon shined like a spoon, and we l
et it no regretting it, Yeah some people left early, but who cares
Americanaramaville was still there. Thanks Bob!!! And keep on keepin on.
Schenectady Diamond Dan
Review by Steve
We have seen Bob here at every turn since 1988. The four hour trip is
always worth it and tonight was no exception. We arrived late as planned
in time for Wilco. I was only familiar with their work with Billy Bragg
and came away a fan. These guys are really good. Especially enjoyed the
Band covers Long Black Veil and Chest Fever. Bob was on his game tonight.
The music was somewhat subdued, not very loud at all. Vocals were crisp
and clear, the hoarseness, which I'm still convinced he turns on and off
at will, was mostly on off tonight. The only song that fell flat for me
was Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, which sounded like a caricature of the
original and occasionally veered of into parody. A shame really. Was glad
to hear the new arrangement of Watchtower, as that song was sorely in
need of some new life. Blind Willie McTell keeps getting older and older,
sounding more and more like Louie Armstrong's version of St. James
Infirmary. Well if you're gonna steal, steal from the best. Speaking of
stealing, Duquesne Whistle could use a little more Jelly Roll Morton. Live
it lacks the power of Tempest. One thing I noticed, the overall sound of
the band and music suffers from Dylan's piano playing. The band is sort of
on hiatus when he's at the piano, and let's face it he's no Nicky Hopkins.
Much better when he is front and center. The crowd was somewhat
sparse to begin with and the early exodus began after Tangled Up In Blue.
There loss. So how good was it? At the end my wife said "we're going
to Hoboken". To get her to go to New Jersey is really something.
Review by Mo Ritz
The AmericanaramA Festival charmed me at Saratoga Springs Performimg Arts
Center in Saratoga Springs New York on Sunday evening July 21st. SPAC
all came about on a whim in February 1961, when a newspaperman Duane Le
Fleche got wind of the New York Philharmonic being enticed to take up its
summer residence in of all places, Vermont. Mr. Newspaper Man suggested
the NY Philharmonic stay in New York State and perform in Saratoga
Springs. Thanks to smart minded Locals and bipartisan leaders a consensus
was reached and Saratoga Spa State Park was chosen as the the site for the
summer residence of the NY philharmonic and NY Ballet. Thank you for
smart minds. In 1963 Saratoga Performing Arts Center was born. Cool, as
it has become a decent venue. (Wikipedia.com) Harry Belafonte was the
first non-classical performer to perform at SPAC, in 1967. Would have
loved to have seen that! The Doors performed here in 1968... would have
loved to have seen that show too! ! To put this place on the map a
tradition of booking top pop and rock acts to the amphitheater (according
to Wikipedia) included Jackson Browne, The Pretenders, Santana, Tina
Turner, Guns N' Roses, Coldplay, Rush, KISS, Dave Matthews Band, Kings of
Leon, Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Train, Maroon 5, Ray LaMontagne, Pearl Jam,
Phish, John Mayer, Tom Petty, The Cars, The B-52's, Def Leppard, Heart,
Journey, John Mellencamp, Elton John, and Grateful Dead (1983 being
considered one of their classics). I Miss The Grateful Dead more than I
can say...just saying. However, there is no mention of Bob Dylan or The
AmericanaramA Festival....hmm. I'm sure I've seen him here before. SPAC
has gone through many a transformation and if you are lucky enough to
afford a trip to this neck of the woods seats are your best bet especially
if Dylan is on the bill as the lawn leaves you without a view as there
will be no Video screens and the upper balcony seating blocks any
possibility of a stage view from the lawn (in my humble opinion). That
said, I was blessed to have obtained seats!
After a 2 hour drive to SPAC I was ready for my third AmericanaramA
Festival and my date's first. I hadn't disclosed much about the show
to my date as to not give any preconceived notions of the event and to
allow for their own experience. My date enjoyed every bit of it!
Ryan Bingham gave a good performance and low and behold my date found the
fiddler bringing on thoughts of Steve Wickham. A little chuckle for me.
MMJ jammed it up but the sun was glaring down on us and so we took to a
picnic table to listen, even though my date wanted to go back to our
seats, he was a good knight. MMJ Sounded hot! Jim James is a natural!!!!
Back to our seats for Wilco. I first encountered this band as an opener
for Neil Young and have been a fan ever since! Thank you Neil ! Wilco
changes guitars as often as the the weather changes in Upstate! Love
that! Suddenly there was a white haired man on stage and I turned to my
date and exclaimed: it's Garth Hudson and then there was the
introduction! Called it! Long Black Veil with Garth on Accordion. The
highlight was an amazing and unexpected Chest Fever, (my dates favorite
song by The Band, how about that!) A very memorable performance.. .Hotter
than a firecracker on the Fourth of July ! And impossible to follow,
not! Thank you Wilco!!!
After a short walk around we were back to our seats for the legendary
Bob Dylan. Three times a charm ! Whose to say what makes an evening
listening to a band play the same songs you just heard within the last 4 weeks?
The weather, the venue, the alignment of the stars and the shape of the
moon, fate, I don't know. But tonight Mr. Dylan and his cowboy band
offered up a good jam, with a new addition, guitar player: Colin Linden.
Bob Dylan is too sexy for a hat...and thank you for that! If ever I could
wish a music lover an evening of music I would wish for them: Bob Dylan
blowing his harmonica. How does he do it? Sweet! Mr. Dylan obviously,
truly loves what he does and it was truly charming. My favorites tonight
were: Things Have Changed, High Water For Charlie Patton, and Bind Willie
McTell. Thank you Foot stopping Ryan Bingham, Jamming MMJ, Delightful
Rockin' Wilco, and Charming Song and Dance Man: Bob Dylan (and your
Cowboy Band! ) Thank you as well, to Mr. Le Flèch, The Rockefeller Bros.
and all that had the insight to create this venue. AmericanaramA Festival:
Three times a charm! See you again for another venture of The
AmericanaramA Festival, until then: HAPPY TRAILS! (now that
would be an awesome closer, wink, wink.)
Mo Ritz ;)
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