Show Review

These days, even some of the most lighthearted and optimistic people feel like it’s getting harder to feel good about being an American. With all the chaos in the world and the string of challenges the country faces, it can be hard to find the time to relish in our heritage and appreciate the good things in life. But this was not the case over Independence Day weekend, as a sold-out crowd of thousands of happy festival-goers gathered in beautiful Nelson, OH for a three day celebration of the legacy of the music of the Grateful Dead. The Dead’s music symbolizes freedom, liberty, and a truly unique pursuit of happiness, and the fifth annual installment of the aptly titled Gratefulfest was a labor of love for the event’s organizers. These veterans of the Grateful Dead’s touring scene sought to create the atmosphere and excitement of the Dead’s legendary three night runs, where attendees would “hear the music, guitar, and drums in their head for weeks afterwards.”

This vision was fulfilled with an impressive lineup featuring three complete shows by the best cover band in the world, Dead tribute Dark Star Orchestra, as well as support from Keller Williams, Vassar Clements and John Cowan, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Recipe, David Gans, and more. In addition to the music, there were skydivers, fireworks, and even a burning man. Also, there was a special raffle to benefit Rett syndrome research, with awesome prizes like free tickets to festivals, Grateful Dead boxed sets, and, best of all, every ticket buyer got to request a song from which DSO would build their set on Sunday. All of these extras, coupled with the laid back vibe and beautiful grounds, made this annual gathering one of the best in the Midwest, and a perfect way to celebrate America’s birthday by escaping in music.

From the moment I arrived on Friday afternoon, I immediately recalled why I love this place. It’s all about the layout of the stage and campgrounds at Nelson’s Ledges Quarry Park - that is what makes it so unique and enjoyable. The site is centered around a huge spring-fed quarry with a beach and space for canoeing, scuba, and even diving. Camping is under a lush, shady canopy with winding trails, plenty of nooks for tents and cars, and that wonderfully primal campfire scent permeating everything. The stage is right by the beach and is quite unassuming, but provides good sound, lights, and, most importantly, an intimate platform for artists to connect with the fans. The first day started off with some great sets from local bands, including Zen and the Waterband. Although these guys probably won’t be headlining large rooms anytime soon, they brought a huge amount of integrity and love for their craft to the stage, and the crowd really seemed to appreciate it.

David Gans, host of the famed “Grateful Dead Hour” radio show, played a set filled with acoustic and electric favorites, and the growing crowd got their first taste of the music of the legendary band that spawned this whole scene. Dark Star Orchestra came on with a flurry of beats and harmonies and started into a great 1987 Grateful Dead show chocked full of old favorites. Just when the band had settled into their groove and the sun completely disappeared from the sky, the unthinkable happened. The power to the main stage and the vendors went out, and the stage went quiet and dark.

DSO was now silenced, and things didn’t look promising for the return of electricity anytime soon. But the show must go on, and the best cover band in the world saved the day, bringing out their acoustic guitars and serenading the crowd from the lip of the stage. A few songs into the acoustic set, one of the crew members had a brilliant idea – by hooking up the PA to the generator on the tour bus, it was possible to amplify the band just enough to provide adequate volume for the thousands of fans. The ensuing set was highlighted by a full “Weather Report Suite” and “The Weight,” both of which gave the crowd a glimpse of the great music still to come.

Day two started off with the triumphant return of power, and early morning folks enjoyed the sunshine and amenities of the park. Two more regional bands, Grasshopper Pie and Big Leg Emma, delved into their respective catalogues of jams. Meltone came on next, and got perhaps the biggest buzz of the weekend with their high energy set. These guys rocked, and, given that they came out all the way from Japan, it was a true treat to catch their set. Reggae group Champion Bubblers were scheduled but didn’t ever play, but local favorites The Shantee did and they had hips shaking and feet stomping in the brilliant mid-day Ohio sunshine.

Before DSO started their second set of the weekend, three skydivers descended to the beach to the cheers of young and old alike. The DSO show was a treat, as they picked up where the night before had left, finishing set II and the encore of the tasty Giants Stadium show they began to reproduce before the power died. “Playin“> “Drumz“>“ Other One“> “Stella Blue“>“Throwing Stones“>“NFA” had jaws dropping and people boogying uncontrollably. After DSO wrapped up, David Gans took his turn with some help from DSO’s Lisa Mackey, followed by an impressive fireworks show. The colorful explosions filled the sky and the time until it was Keller Williams’ turn to display his unique talents as a mad audio scientist, looping and joking his way through a set of very enjoyable covers and original tunes. Highlights included “Freaker by the Speaker,” “Night Fever,” and an acapella version of everyone’s favorite ode to man made mammaries, “Boob Job”.

After more than an hour, he began singing his thanks to Evan (the quarry owner and primo host), the crowd, America, DSO, and more, but Keller didn’t leave the stage. Instead, he and DSO decided to jam out a few songs together. This “NLQP Jam” was short but very sweet, as Keller put his lyrical spin on “Scarlet Begonias” then DSO helped add some depth and flavor to his “Kidney in a Cooler.” The night ended on a high note, and the energy in the crowd seemed to hint that the best was yet to come.

Although Sunday was overshadowed by ominous clouds which threatened to soak the park, The Recipe started things out with an unabashedly upbeat set of their trademark sounds. Singer Julie Edlow sounded great, as she and lead guitarist/vocalist Joe Pritchard told their tales of lingerie and whiskey. The sky opened and the rain began to fall as they wrapped up their set, but the downpour was just a passing cloud or two. As the rain subsided, legendary fiddle player Vassar Clements joined bluegrass master John Cowan and the Cows for a rousing set, highlighted by an up-tempo cover of the Cream classic “White Room” and some more traditional numbers.

New Orleans own world famous Dirty Dozen Brass Band followed with a short but very sweet set. “Big Chief”, “Superstition”, and “Junco Partner” were just a few of the classics they tore through, and guitar player Jamie McLean seemed to take the lead in a few places where he normally blends into the brassy background. While the stage was switched over to DSO’s gear, the winners of the DSO raffle were selected and the set list was assembled. The raffle brought in over $4000 for Rett Syndrome research (everyone involved, especially DSO publicist Dave Weissman, deserves a shout out for their untiring work). Great job!

Back to the music, DSO’s set was saturated with rarities, as one would expect, and the band started off with a cover of the school house rock song “Fireworks.” Early highlights included an “Iko” with DDBB members Kevin Harris and Roger Lewis and a threat by the band to launch into a cover of “Eye of the Tiger.” The burning man set a world record by burning for 2:13 during the set break around nightfall. “China Cat“> “I Know You Rider“> “Sugar Magnolia“> “Crazy Fingers” sealed the second set’s success, and the band finished with a huge “Shakedown” >“Goodnight”.

As the music wound down, the crowd returned to their campsites for another night of laid back relaxation with friends and family. All the music and extras had sealed a special place in the hearts and minds of the attendees, and the success of the raffle ensured the goodwill and positivity of the event would live on well beyond its three days. Gratefulfest 2004 had successfully given each and every fan a true reason to celebrate their independence, focus on the positive instead of the problems in the world, and remember the many delights that come with being a Grateful American.

SETLISTS

Dark Star Orchestra

Show #957 - Fri, Jul 2, 2004 at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Garrettsville, OH

(Performing 7/12/1987 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ)

Set 1: Bucket> West L. A., Greatest, Loser, Tons Of Steel, Ramble On, Masterpiece, Push, Promised> Bertha

Acoustic: FOTD, Monkey &Engineer, Good Times Blues, B. T. Wind, ???, On The Road Again, You Ain't Woman Enough, Roses, WRS Prelude> WRS Part1> Let It Grow> Uncle John, The Weight, Gloria

Encore: Don't Ease

Show #958 - Sat, Jul 3, 2004 at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Garrettsville, OH

(Performing 7/12/1987 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ)

Set 2: Morning Dew, Playin> Drumz> Other One> Stella Blue> Throwing Stones> NFA

E: Touch*> Heaven's Door*

DG Set: Terrapin#> An American Family, Masterpiece, Senor, Surely You Jest, Lazy River Road**, Times Are A-Changin'+, Down To Eugene**

Encore: Fire**> Scarlet**> Kidney In A Cooler**

*with David Gans as Bob Dylan

#with Lisa

**with DSO

+also with Tiny on harp

****Keller Williams and DSO

Show #959 - Sun, Jul 4, 2004 at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Garrettsville, OH

(Performing 7/4/2004 Original Setlist)

Set 1: Fireworks> U.S. Blues, Passenger, Hey Pocky Way*, Dire Wolf, Broken Arrow, Cassidy, Candyman**, Minglewood, Built To Last, Jack Straw

Set 2: China Cat> I Know You Rider> Sugar Magnolia> Crazy Fingers> Viola Lee Blues> SOTM> Lovelight> Sunshine Daydream

Encore: Shakedown> We Bid You Goodnight

Eye of the Tiger tease after Passenger

*with Roger Lewis &Kevin Harris of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on saxophones

**with David Gans