“Good Evening Music Lovers"...words that reach deep in the heart of any Bluegrass fan from Colorado. Tonight at the Vilar Center in Beaver Creek, Sam Bush and his band once again brought their talent, passion and seemingly unending love for life to the stage for a few hundred fortunate fans.
For me, a 20+ year fan, a festivarian who once attended ten straight TBF's and who now sees one every few years if I am lucky, seeks performances that happen around the state during the year as a treat of unparalleled desire. I have seen countless shows over the years in a wide variety of venues and as a person who works in event production I have even had my "brushes with greatness" with some of my favorite artists including Sam, Bela, Johnny C and a host of others who never cease to amaze and entertain me in ways that are just, well....way to rare these days. Tonight however, was extra special for me....I felt compelled to share.
As a part time employee of the venue in Beaver Creek, I was able to hang out backstage before the show, as the band mingled, warming up fingers, taking about the show they were preparing to delight the crowd with and creating an air of excitement that I hope they are aware of. As the GM addresses the crowd about upcoming shows and prepares to introduce the band, Sam collects the band into a tight arm in arm huddle as they break into a verse that went something like this....
...."I am so lucky I get to play with you guys, we are so lucky we get to play together, lets go out there and have some fun.....yeah…doo, doo, doo, yeah…nah, nah, nah, they break and head on stage to the roar of an eclectic Colorado crowd. I watch from backstage as they open with "Love Song" and "There’s a Road" before jumping right into "Mahavishnu", an absolutely ripping instrumental and a particular favorite of mine. I already feel better than I did just a few moments ago and I head into the theatre to grab a seat knowing that the next couple hours will be diversely entertaining, musically exceptional and for many of us, inspirational. So much so that my face begins to hurt from smiling so much...a ditty called "Mr. Prez" pays homage to our outgoing president and pleads for sympathy for the working man. A few more great tunes lead us to the last song before the break, an incredible jam named "Sapporo" ensues, showcasing the talents of all on stage.
Intermission ends when Sam and Byron take the stage to do a duet of "Spider John"...it quickly reminds me just how glad I am to be here. Guitarist Steven Mougin expertly handles Emmylou's vocal with Sam on "The River's Gonna Run" as well as on several others during the show. More favorites pour forth as the songs for this show are clearly different than his first tour after "Laps In Seven" was released. Straight ahead bluegrass tunes like "Georgia Mail" get the whole place clapping. Another of my personal favorites, The Darrell Scott tune "River Take Me" raises the bar again and the crowd seems ready to "Howl at the Moon"...so we do. The second set winds down with the Jon Luc Ponty composition "New Country" and then finally "Laps in Seven" or "Lapse N 7" as it appears on tonight’s set list, (the now autographed set list that I swiped off the stage after the show). Not every night in this or any other theatre does the energy feel so purely positive. Sam Bush shows are always good, sometimes great, often exceptional and occasionally, even better than words can convey.....being there is the one way to ensure that your year is effected by such excellence and positive vibe. A long, fun and locally pertinent version of "Up On Cripple Creek" is Sam's choice for an encore and as he sings the last chorus with the crowd as backup, I breathe it all in and feel, as 2009 begins...that this will be a better year for us all.
Be well, have a great year and I hope to see you all at the 36th TBF.
Listening to:
Classic recording from the TBF, Bela Flecks new disc..."Jingle All The Way"
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