What did you think?

[completejohn]

Huck -

The best part of reading your missive was how much we disagreed!  I think that's AWESOME!  If we disagree so much, that means that nearly EVERY act was enjoyed by someone!  Since you can't please everyone all the time, it shows what a great festival this really is!

I look back to a certain act a few years ago that I just hated.  HATED!  Even though I was really looking forward to seeing him.  So after the fest, I look on the forum to see that, even though I was in the majority, there were many people who enjoyed the show.  That's a GOOD thing!

So even though nobody asked, here are a couple of places we disagree:

Mangan:  by far my least favorite act of the fest - stop whining!
Marling: would have been nice for her to show up on time.  Good music for a very a small club with pillows.
Prine: I first saw him in small Chicago clubs (yeah, I'm OLD!) and many, mnay times since.  This was one of my all-time favorite sets by him because he was having SUCH a great time:  A++++
Alison:  Loved her in the past, but this set was boooooorrrrrrring:  C

Seryn: big surprise for me, very interesting music, though would have been better in a club:  B+
KD Lang:  another nice surprise:  B
Hornsby:  You should'a stayed:  A-

I gotta say that Thursday was, by far, the mellowest day EVER at TBF.  I kept hoping someone, ANYONE, would brighten things up.  Prine came the closest, but everyone else was snooze-a-rama.  I was particularly disappointed in AKUS.  A friend saw AK a few days before and remarked that it was so slow he could hardly stay awake.  This Thursday needed a shot of Fogerty ... or David Byrne.

And while I would agree that this wasn't the best T=ride musical lineup I've experienced in ten+ trips, it was certainly good enough to sell out in record time.  And next year will be the same - I'll love stuff that Huck doesn't and vice versa, but no matter what, we'll both be there!!!

[HuckinFappy]

The best part of reading your missive was how much we disagreed!  I think that's AWESOME!

Agreed!

  A friend saw AK a few days before and remarked that it was so slow he could hardly stay awake. 

I believe it.  It's sort of what I meant when I said I missed AKUS last year, but now I'm not sure why.

And while I would agree that this wasn't the best T=ride musical lineup I've experienced in ten+ trips, it was certainly good enough to sell out in record time.

Not to pick on the nits, but it sold out when we didn't know the lineup yet, so I don't think you can draw that correlation

[swander99]

Since you can't please everyone all the time, it shows what a great festival this really is!
Mangan:  by far my least favorite act of the fest - stop whining!
Marling: would have been nice for her to show up on time.  Good music for a very a small club with pillows.
I gotta say that Thursday was, by far, the mellowest day EVER at TBF. 
but no matter what, we'll all be there!!!

I lean closer to CJohn on DM as well, and the best sleep of my week was @ the NG show after JKS, during Marling (wish I had a pillow). She seemed just as bored and sleepy as me...sorry Laura. 
Greensky NG w/post SOH courtyard show was clearly my 2012 highlight of "official TBF concerts" (and Fogarty).  Some great pickin' in the camps this year! 

 Listening to: M&Sons w/Jerry doing Simon

[landshark]

  I'm still thinking about it really. and I will let you know next week when I have fully ingested it. My program and CD's are here next to me as I work and relisten and listen again

John P could be 130 crawl on stage and I would still think he's perfect.

Good thing music is subjective

[FaceOnMars]

Thursday, June 21, 2012

12:15 - 1:30pm — Della Mae
Only caught the end, but did catch their sound plagued set for first grass.  Grade:  B

3:30 - 4:45pm — Greensky Bluegrass
Have seen them a couple times, and generally like them a lot ... bu thought they didn't quite bring the heat as much as they could have Grade:  B+

5:15 - 6:30pm — Laura Marling
Just not exactly my cup of teaGrade: C+

7:00 - 8:30pm — John Prine
First time seeing him, was fun but nothing over the top mind blowingGrade:  B+

9:00 - 11:00pm — Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
I also though AK's set wasn't quite up to where I know it could've been, still fun though.Grade:  B+

Friday, June 22, 2012





2:45 - 4:00pm — O'Brien Party of Seven
Was working most of the morning, but heard this on the radio driving into town & liked what I heard.Grade B+

4:30 - 5:45pm — Béla Fleck &  The Marcus Roberts Trio
Was given a pre-show recommendation to check this act out, and they definitely didn't dissappoint ... although couldn't help but wonder "What if John Scofield was a part of this ensemble?"  ... not a complaint, just how my taste flowsGrade:  A-


8:00 - 10:00pm — John Fogerty
Definitely the highlight of festival for me. Grade: A+

10:30 - Midnight — Leftover Salmon
Great back to back sets for the evening ... was a lot of fun. Grade:  A

Saturday, June 23, 2012




4:15 - 5:45pm — Yonder Mountain String Band
Was the first set I made it to ... since was going to stay up late for LOS at the Palm.  For one reason or another this year YMSB didn't quite do it for me as much as other years.  This is not to say it wasn't a rock solid show, just didn't get it to the next level for me for one reason or another.Grade:  B+

8:00 - 10:00pm — Sam Bush Band
Seemed to be a little different than is typical setlist (although he did blurt out the same "we're going to turn this car around" joke he made twice last year).  REALLY like the Levon tribute and the general feel of this set.Grade:  A-

10:30 - Midnight — Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
I really liked this set from start to finish, although it did seem to pick up steam and other players int he second set.  Grade: A

Sunday, June 24, 2012



1:30 - 2:45pm — Peter Rowan's Big Twang Theory
This was one of the sets I was most anticipating, simply not knowing what this new band would produce.  I think there's a lot of potential here & it was great to hear Rowan in a non bluegrass ensemble after a few years of being mostly bluegrass, but thought it was still a bit rough around the edges and the Bo Diddley medley seemed to be rehashed from last year.  Still, PR will always be my favorite "regular".  I was glad to see him so immersed in the festival all around this year. Grade: B+/A-

5:00 - 6:15pm — Punch Brothers
I'm normally not a big PB fan, but actually got into much of what was played!Grade: B

7:00 - 8:15pm — Glen Hansard
wasn't impressed Grade:  C+

Was a zombie about 1/2 before the house band was supposed to take the stage, so reluctantly threw in the towel ... I'm sure it didn't dissappoint.

[meanderingjeeper]

although couldn't help but wonder "What if John Scofield was a part of this ensemble?" 

aw yeah.  BAM!

[landshark]

The Devil Makes Three Best  new to me band at fest this year.

[nfire]

just read this.  run boy run and devil makes three sound absolutely nothing alike whatsoever so lumping them together for a grade is unfair to either group.  maybe you just weren't paying attention since they were two bands you'd never heard of, that happens to me sometimes.  thought rbr were good, thought dm3 was outstanding and their nightgrass ticket was the toughest to get of the weekend as a result.

[landshark]

Yep Devil Makes Three ON FIRE! nfire

[Hot Sugar]

2012 favorites:

Della Mae - I thought they were incredible! I had a blast dancing right up front for this set. The music was fantastic, and it doesn't hurt that a beautiful woman playing a mandolin is my biggest weakness.

GSBG - They absolutely killed it. Such a phenomenal set. They remind me of Yonder from 7 or 8 years ago.

John Prine - I spent this set cooking at camp. He did a fantastic job.

Head for the Hills - This may have been my favorite set this year. Easily the biggest surprise for me. I saw them open for Emmitt Nershi in Missoula and didn't think much of them. This set got me wondering if that might have been due to a poor sound system, because these guys tore it up! I'd love to see these guys back next year and the year after that and the year after that!

Del McCoury - Always great to see him at Fest. Such a great musician. And his kids are pretty great, too.

Salmon - Not the best Salmon show I've ever seen. I would have like some Hartford tunes in there and a bit more mando from Drew, but the worst Salmon show is better than many bands' best show.

Jerry, Omar and Viktor - I love Jerry, but the adition of Omar Hakim is what continues to catapult this set to the top of my list every year. That man is a phenomenal musician. Probably the best drummer I've ever seen.

Sam - Also not the best Sam set I've seen, but it was still great. It was good to see John come out and sing with him. And Big Bottom was fantastic! Almost as good as Blazing Saddles from a few years ago.

Pete Rowan - Always a favorite. This man could play a death metal set, and I'd still love it. (That's NOT a suggestion, though!)

The House Band - The perfect way to end the festival. Six of the best musicians in the world playing on stage just for us. Fantastic!

[Hippie]

OK You asked for it. I normally don't do this kind of thing but my energy is way up tonight after my last & 665th weekly radio show on KWMR....

Thursday, June 21, 2012
11:00 - noon — Thelma & Louise featuring Chris Thile & Béla Fleck
This was a nice way for me to spend some time on the grounds and check in with friends I've not seen for a year.

12:15 - 1:30pm — Della Mae
I really like these ladies. They had a great time and it showed.

2:00 - 3:15pm — Dan Mangan
The guy left me absolutely cold. I took a nice long walk about in the campground waiting for him to be finished.

3:30 - 4:45pm — Greensky Bluegrass
Good friends and a great set! Nuff said.

7:00 - 8:30pm — John Prine
I too love John Prine, this was very similar to the last few shows I've shared with him. It was really great to see him enjoying himself so much on the Telluride stage.

9:00 - 11:00pm — Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
I'm pretty tired her canned and scripted sets. She is however a consumate performer and I respect her for that.

Friday, June 22, 2012

11:15 - 12:30pm — Seryn
I was really curious about these folks. They delivered a nice solid set which I enjoyed.

2:45 - 4:00pm — O'Brien Party of Seven
I am a big fan of Tim and he always delivers a very entertaining experience.

4:30 - 5:45pm — Béla Fleck &  The Marcus Roberts Trio
This was very enjoyable, but I was distracted by dinner prep in camp and the associated revelry.

8:00 - 10:00pm — John Fogerty
TOO LOUD.... I went back to Town Park so I could hear it at a reasonable volume level. Come on guys - - - 106db in front of the towers, we are damaging peoples hearing at that level.

10:30 - Midnight — Leftover Salmon
I really enjoyed this Salmon set, one of the best I have heard in the last few years.

Saturday, June 23, 2012
12:45 - 2:00pm — The Devil Makes Three
I was looking forward to this set. I like that we get a bit of "old timey" sounds in the box canyon.

2:30 - 3:45pm — Jerry Douglas featuring Omar Hakim, Viktor Krauss & Luke Bulla
This was just plain fun.

4:15 - 5:45pm — Yonder Mountain String Band
I was distracted by some beautiful women during this set. It sounded good from where I was hanging, but that might have been because of the company.

6:15 - 7:30pm — k.d. lang & the Siss Boom Bang
This ranks somewhere below or even with the  Dan Mangan set. Blah Blah Blah

8:00 - 10:00pm — Sam Bush Band
Good music as always. I had to leave the venue about halfway through because the sound got to be WAY to loud for me to feel comfortable. It sounded fine from camp though.

10:30 - Midnight — Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
This was mediocre at best. Nice to see him though.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

10:45 - 11:45 — John Cowan Band Gospel Hour
I really like having John Cowan on the telluride stage in any form. This was OK.

Noon - 1:00pm — Joy Kills Sorrow
I've worked with these folks in the past and really enjoy their music. This was a nice time.

1:30 - 2:45pm — Peter Rowan's Big Twang Theory
I really like working with Peter... This was a really solid nice set; the Land of the Navajo into ancient tones was sublime, it is one of the reasons I fell in love with Telluride so many years ago. It was Really nice to see Nina Gerber on stage in Telluride again after 11 years!

3:15 - 4:30pm — Brett Dennen
Give me a break.... Whining pop wanna be performers. Thumbs way down.

7:00 - 8:15pm — Glen Hansard
This was awful... Again WAY too loud and really not entertaining at all

8:45 - 10:45pm — Telluride House Band featuring Sam, Béla, Jerry, Edgar, Bryan & Stuart
So glad to have the House band as the closer. I had to pack up the camp to the excellent music.

Thanks Planet Bluegrass for the great weekend in the high mountains.




 Listening to: KBUT - Community radio for Crested Butte

[Skubes]

Hippie, thank you!  I thought I was the only one who felt that way about Brett Dennen.  He might be tolerable if I was in a coma.  Horrible.  I second on the sound for Fogerty.  Great set, but I sat back at camp with earplugs in, and it was still too loud.

That said, I was surprised Seryn.  Maybe it was b/c Sugar set my expectations so incredibly low ( ), but I thought they were alright. 

My favs were definitely Greensky, Della Mae, Del, Sammy and the House Band.  Can't wait to see what's in store for next year.  Can we go back now?

[landshark]

I think Brett has an unusual delivery and style. I like him.

[Skubes]

That's the beauty of music!   

[JoeBu]

Well, I haven't listened back yet, so this is going off of memory, which may or may not be accurate....also I had to leave Sunday during Peter Rowen so Sunday is left off. 

Friday afternoon thru Sam Bush on Saturday was just incredible....straight fire as the Phish fans say....as long as you ate dinner during KD Lang    Would see the same lineup again next year and not complain. 

I would have maybe moved a set or two around, I felt Thursday needed a shot in the arm, but that speaks more to my musical preferences than the talent. 

Great
FOGERTYYYYY! - Way, Way, Way better than I expected
Devil Makes Three - (just a great set/band, too bad I was too tired to make their nightgrass set...although showing up at midnight my face value tickets was like dropping a raw chicken into a swamp of starving gators)
Leftover Salmon - Really enjoyed this Salmon Set
Del McCoury - Just good stuff
Yonder Opener - Great show w/ Sam Bush!
Greensky
Sam Bush

Good
Yonder (Maybe it was the smoke/weird vibes from our tarp mates whose house was 5miles from the fire, but the set was just OK by Yonder standards)
Head for the Hills
Jerry Douglas featuring Omar Hakim, Viktor Krauss & Luke Bulla
Bela Fleck & MR Trio
John Prine - Missed most of this to cook back at the camp so not the best judge
Laura Marling

Just OK
AKUS - I just think this was in the wrong spot.  For a closer it was just to mellow and I ended up listening to the 2nd half in my tent
Edgar Meyer & Mike Marshall - can't recall anything interesting about this one.
Seryn - played bean bag during this set.
Bruce Hornsby - Was looking forward to this one, but it just didn't click for me....was dissapoint.
KD Lang - Would create a new category for her, but she did cover the Talking Heads so.....

   All in all I loved my 2nd festival, and immediately started skeeming ways to fit in the 40th with my trip to Europe.