Yesterday I went to the Caramoor American Roots Festival. I always go but this year considered not going because I didn’t want to be out in the sun with my skin still recovering from last week’s burn. I didn’t want to go if it rained. I lucked out, the weather was just what I needed overcast.
I thought I was getting a ride but found out in the morning I wasn’t. I was afraid I’d be too late to help River Spirit Music/Tribe’s Hill set up. I did get a ride to Pelham Bay which was all I needed. I took a bus to Fordham Plaza, the MetroNorth to Pelham, and the Caramoor shuttle bus to the festival. I got there 20 minutes before doors opened. What I didn’t have time for was breakfast. I just made the train. I managed to get a small cup of coffee and a brownie at the Festival. That was my breakfast. It was enough to power me for the day.
I thought I’d be late, but I was there earlier than anyone else from River Spirit or Tribe’s Hill. I knew most of the people in the Cultural Partners area. There were booths from WFUV, CHIRP, Common Ground, Folk Music Society of Huntington/Acoustic Music Scene, CT Folk, First Acoustics, and Acoustic Live. That’s all my friends. As my group wasn’t there I helped other people set up. I hung out with Janeen, Linda, Ridgefield Barbara, Winston, Michael, Richard & Viki, CT Barbara, Coco & Bruce, and Jeff & Carol. I went through the tables, so I probably didn’t skip anyone.
As I was there early I got prime real estate by the stage. All my festival gear is with Fred, I just had table cloth. I asked around and Coco had an extra chair, I was set.
The Daytime Lineup, what I had a pass for, might have been called the American Gordon’s Friends Festival. Maggi who books the festival, fishes in the same waters that I do, so it’s no surprise our musicians overlap. One of the bands I loved there I discovered when she booked them for Madison Square Music.
There are multiple stages at Caramoor, across the day I never saw two consecutive acts at the same stage. That’s a good thing, it kept me up and active. Here are my perambulations for the day.
I started at the Main Stage at Friends Field where old friend Anthony da Costa opened the music. I’ve known Anthony since he as 15 or 16, I was an early adopter. When he lived in New York I saw him countless times. Then he moved to Austin then Nashville and I don’t see him that often. As I was going to my chair I saw his parents, Dennis and Lily; it’s been even longer since I’ve seen them. I love reuniting with friends.
Anthony is a singer/songwriter, he won the Kerrville New Folk when he was 16 (I was obviously a great influence on him). For the last few years he’s been the guitar player for Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. That hasn’t stopped him from continuing to write and perform on his own. Yesterday he was backed by a drummer. He has a collection of new songs that are on the way to becoming an album. I can’t wait for it to be released.
My boys Ryanhood were on the stage next but I had to schedule them later, so I could see Lily Henley on a new “stage” the Cedar Walk. That’s the path through the woods to the Sunken Garden. There was a small clearly where her trio played unplugged. That was one of the best places to hear music. She had a branch of a tree hanging not far above her head. It was like coming across elves in a forest in Middle Earth. She even sang in strange tongues, Ladino and Hebrew that are related like Sindarin and Quenya. That’s stretching it as Ladino is based on medieval Spanish with a little Hebrew influence. Lily even looks elven. Most of her songs are in English for the benefit of the mortals.
She lives in Brooklyn and I love her, but I usually see her at events with many other performers doing just a few songs. That means each time I see her it’s a revelation. She fiddles, she sings, she writes poetic lyrics, she has a great band, and her stage patter is not time wasting but informative. When she had to concentrate on tuning the mando player told a Zen joke he’s workshopping,
She’s also a delightful person and we got to talk a bit after her set. I told her that next year she has to apply for the Falcon Ridge most wanted because she must play the Budgiedome. That pure acoustic set proved it.
Then I was back to Friends Field for Night Tree. I came home from NERFA with their album but hadn’t seem them. I have low expectations for random NERFA bands. I was listening to my NERFA albums, without paying much attention, till they grabbed it. I hadn’t heard anyone at NERFA talk about them, so they took me by surprise. When John introduced them, he said he had heard the buzz about them there. We were at the same conference and have the same friends but somehow, I missed it.
They passed the studio test, but would they pass the live test? The answer is they were not as good as on the album, they were better live. This is not surprising. As I discovered they are friends of Lily and graduates of the New England Conservatory of Music. There is no one from there that I don’t love; it’s the alma mater of Aoife, Rushad, and Corey, from Crooked Still, Vilray, and everyone from Lake Street Dive. Conservatory musicians playing Americana/Folk/Bluegrass is my sweet spot. I love musicians that can really play their instruments and can create intricate arrangements. Night Tree throws in Jazz and Klezmer as might be expected from a string band with a saxophone. There is also an accordion player. Imagine her parents, “We spent all that time and money studying piano and now all she does is play accordion? Where did we go wrong?” It’s like graduating med school and becoming a dog walker. Why can’t I resist making fun of accordions? I played accordion. Oh right, that’s why. If like me you missed the buzz at NERFA you need to discover Night Tree, see them when they come here and book them for your venues. Guys, you have an invite to play The Budgiedome
My next stop was the Spanish Courtyard to see Ryanhood. That’s the venue where I first saw I’m With Her, the nicest one at Caramoor. It’s beautiful, there are seats, and some cover from sun and rain. The set was almost acoustic, they used a mic to boost their voices a bit. I sat front row center, so I didn’t need that. They live in Tucson, they don’t often come East. That leads to me knowing I love them but not remembering exactly why I love them. Their harmonies and songwriting are obvious. What I had forgotten is how great they are on their instruments. Not many harmony groups can do an instrumental and not lose the audience. As I was sitting down front I could get a good pic even with my phone camera. I haven’t edited my pictures yet, but I posted this one on Instagram and people liked it.
Then it was back to Friends Field for Front Country; they are the band I discovered when Maggi booked them at Madison Square. Maggi am I write that Julian Lage and Critter opened for them? I know I went for the opening act and that’s a good pairing. Front Country Is one of the best Not Bluegrass bands. It’s music with bluegrass instrumentation but mainly not in bluegrass form. I was going to say that some songs were singer/songwriter but that’s not accurate; at least they aren’t sensitive singer/songwriter. Melody Walker’s lyrics have much more content and the music swings. They would be a great band for Falcon Ridge, they are young and exciting and even though they are from the SF Bay area and are now in Nashville have an east coast following; at least in New York. They are the kind of band that proves that serious music can be filled with fun. The crowd let out whoops, I let out whoops, because it would take an effort not to.
I decided to leave after their set even though that meant missing The Alexis P. Suter Band and the Social Music Hour. I had never heard of the former but as I trust Maggi’s taste I wanted to check them out. The Social Music Hour is a Caramoor tradition. Spuyten Duyvil leads all the musicians that want to participate in a jam on a theme. This year it was the songs of Johnny and June. I love Johnny and June. The only thing that made missing it hurt less is that Spuyten Duyvil is on hiatus and that let hard shoes to fill. So, who did I see as I was saying my goodbyes? Mark and Beth. They were them to lead the Social Music Hour. I was torn but my reasons for leaving early were too strong.
I had to go to the new apartment to feed the cats, check their water, clean the kitty litter, and give them some company. I thought I knew how to go, I didn’t use Google Maps. I reversed my trip up there and took MetroNorth down to Fordham Plaza. Then I took the D train to the apartment, the station is just a few blocks away. The apartment is on 205th street which is the last stop, so I couldn’t miss it. I got off at 205th street and everything looked wrong. The D runs along the Grand Concourse, one block from the apartment, but I didn’t see the Grand Concourse. The neighborhood had a different character. I figured if I walked down 205th I’d get there. I walked one way and the numbers went up and I needed them to go down. I went the other way and the numbers went down till they jumped from the mid-200s to the 3000s. 205th Street had become Bainbridge Ave. Then I pulled out Google Maps and discovered that for the last stop the D leaves Grand Concourse and moves east. I was on the wrong side of Mosholu Parkway, a nine-minute walk away. Once I got to Mosholu I had my bearings. I’m glad I came back when it was still light.
I got the apartment and immediately got a call from Bri and we talked for a while. The cats could wait for that. When we were done first I gave them food and refreshed the water. I have never scooped cat litter before. I have emptied it, but I wanted to try scooping. It was gross, but I got it done. Next time I do a total change.
Then I had to head back to City Island. I used Google Maps to see if there were a better way than the D train followed by two buses. There was, I could just take two buses. I’m so glad I did that as I discovered that the first bus went by the two supermarkets I do my shopping at, Aldi and Stop & Shop. It’s more convenient for Aldi but less for Stop and Shop. I’m not sure if I can buy ice cream and get it home before it melts. It’s so much cheaper there than in most small grocery stores. I’ll see what Food Town is like Super Food Towns are good but the one near the apart is Clark Kent.
I had great timing when I got home. Lickity Split Ice cream was still open! I was the very last customer. I had a chocolate malt. It was delicious. If you are on City Island that’s where you get ice cream, anyplace else is a travesty.
Now that I’ve written this book I should work on packing. That’s not easy for me. I can’t see how I will fit it all. I should have brought back the luggage I carried things over with before. I have to mediate, and not look beyond the next step. I know this seems silly to you. You’re thinking, “just do it.” Just thinking of you saying that to me gave me a flash of anxiety. Other things to never say to someone with anxiety are:
- Power through it
- This has to be done!
- Have you taken your meds?
- What’s wrong with you?
- Calm down
The last is my choice for the worst thing you can say when you’re trying to be helpful. In the history of the world nobody has ever calmed down on command. I was discussing this on Facebook and Kirk came up with the best thing to say, “How can I help?” Don’t be insulted if the anxious person says, “You can’t.” I have one friend I won’t name, who I have an important type of relationship with. It’s our job to look after each other. We help each other through the crises. Just knowing such a person exists, helps.
Wise Madness 