In honor of free music in Golden Gate Park...

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A cool tradition of free music in Golden Gate Park happens again today, and in honor of that I say remember the history...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p6KseTIido

Because that particular band and that particular show is pretty damned good, and IMO it's important to remember greatness and fun from so many years ago as folks will be grooving to live music in the same exact space all these many years later.

Long live live music!!!

LONG LIVE THE GRATEFUL DEAD!!!!!

(I can't make any of the festival this year, but whoop it up those who go!!!)

GTTS!!!!!

(You might have to scroll back on that link to get to the beginning of that brilliant recording)

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HSBF  2011. I was there...for a real good time.

Heading over in a little bit.  Looks to be a just about exactly perfect day to hang out in the park and dig the scene.  Banjo Stage is loaded today.

Thanks for the links to then and now. Happy couch touring!

Good stuff from Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Listening to Greyboy now. 

Dave and Jiimie Dale were solid.  The "Marie Marie" was a little ragged on the vocals.  Their cover of "Get Together" was a fitting choice for a beautiful day in Golden Gate Park.  Caught the back half of Dry Branch Fire Squad's set.  Nice to see Ron Thomasson going strong all these years later.  Last time I saw him was at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Fest in the early 90's.

After Dry Branch's set I got a wicked tasty chicken and shrimp paella and caught a few tunes from the Mastersons at the Rooster stage, then hit the merch table for a t-shirt before getting back to my seat at the Banjo Stage.  

Mavis Staples just put on a nice little set.  She talked so much that she ran out of time to do her signature tune, "I'll Take You There", but had some nice moments with her cover of the Talking Heads "Slippery People", and especially of her dad, Pops Staples' "Marching For Freedom".   Right before her set we got a fly by from the Blue Angels, and then about two songs into her set, a flock of swans (geese?) flew out from right behind the stage and over the crowd.  It was a nice serendipitous moment.

The vibe has been real nice here.  The crowd is a little chatty, but real pleasant and accomadating.  Maybe Bobby will show up with Don Was tomorrow, and tell everyone to shut the fuck up while the music is playing.  

Chris Thile and Lindsey Buckingham are making noise out yonder right now, but I'm staying  right here for Alison Krauss' closing set.

Hot set by Trampled By Turtles.

Yeah, people aren't going to shut up.

You're not a kid, you should know that by now.

Still, I like that you think they might.

Hot today.

Glad you made it Dave. But you should have stuck around for Dave Alvin. I am listening now.

 

 

Greyboy was the set of the weekend. 

I caught Dave and Jimmie's set, Mark it was good.  I did bail early on Alison Krauss, though.  My brother was picking me up after he got off work, so I didn't really have a choice, but I was underwhelmed by her set.  It was a little too polished for my tastes.

I love Tracy Nelson (early albums were/are great!).

Don't forget the archive if you missed something.  http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2018/webcast/archive.shtml?mrid=1...

Those latter sets last night were up pronto after it was over. Glad to see Graham Nash, Ani. Will have to go back and check quite a few others out.

"I'm With Her" were great again. Such harmonies, and they look like they're having such a great time playing together. 

We are so lucky to have these gifts - the event AND the stream.  THANK YOU Warren and clan.

Sunny with a high of 72 at Ocean Beach today.