The second day of the 2009 Newport Folk Festival dawned with an overcast sky that slowly bled into sunshine for an excellent Sunday of folk music. My first choice would be a difficult one. Josh Ritter was playing the main stage directly opposite the David Rawlings Machine at the harbourside stage. I elected to begin with David Rawlings and cut out early to catch the end of Josh Ritter’s set.
I had been eagerly anticipating the set from David Rawlings Machine for what may have been silly reasons. After all, the David Rawlings Machine is quite similar to seeing a Gillian Welch show. The only difference is that Mr. Rawlings takes over lead vocals, though the song selection is always a little different. Rawlings played several songs penned with other artists including “To Be Young (Is to Be Sad)†and “I Hear Them All,†originally recorded by Ryan Adams and Old Crow Medicine Show respectively. Other covers included Mr. Dylan’s “Queen Jane Approximately†and Conor Oberst’s “Method Acting.â€Â New Welch-Rawlings songs were also played early in the set, “It’s Too Easy†and the more lighthearted “Sweet Tooth.â€Â The David Rawlings Machine contains much the same magic that a normal Gillian Welch show does, but with a twist of a slightly different song selection and as Welch pointed out (after 30 minutes “we’ve already played eight songs, my set would be over by nowâ€) sometimes speedier songs. The group encored with a crowd pleasing rendition of the classic Cash-Carter song “Jacksonâ€.
Josh Ritter brought a rather large band to Newport (though I saw no one attempting to cut the sound cables). His classic folk-rock sound was definitely leaning rock with his energetic band leaning into songs from his new album and classic from The Animals Years as well as a delightfully stripped down rendition (at least in the intro) of “Hello, Starlingâ€. Ritter’s perpetual smile and positive energy shown throughout the set, as his powerful band rollicked through the midday haze.
Next up was the relatively unknown Joe Pug. We here at Twangville have written about Pug quite a bit recently and I only expect that to increase. The 2009 Newport Folk Festival was full of legends, modern day stars, heartfelt bands, and accomplished pickers, but for my money Joe Pug blew them all away. Taking the waterside stage at 2pm, Pug took the stage armed with only his guitar and harmonicas. This alone would draw Dylan comparisons, which is only further fueled by Pug’s age (23) and lyrical prowess. And to an extent, it is a fine comparison. Pug writes incredible lyrics accompanied by his at times fairly rudimentary acoustic guitar and evocative harmonica playing. However, what is lose in this comparison is Pug’s personality, his fierce slamming of the guitar strings, his intensely personal lyrics, and command over an audience. As Pug moved through each of the songs from his ridiculously good debut EP, Nation of Heat, the audience sat in rapt silence interrupted only by a healthy applause as each song came to a close. The new songs such as “Bury Me Far From My Uniformâ€, “Not So Sureâ€, and “Unsophisticated Heart†were outstanding. Hopefully all will be included on his upcoming full length due out later this year. After a rapturous reception for “Hymn #101,†Pug offered free CDs to the crowd (which he ran out of afterwards) before being called back for an encore.
After Pug’s breathtaking performance, I headed to the main stage for Neko Case’s sublime performance. Featuring background vocals from Kelly Hogan and Case herself wielding an electric guitar at times, the performance was both pristine (Case’s voice) and ragged (rock n roll-country-bluegrass). Case’s record have always leaned toward the former for me and I was glad to hear some of the latter in her live show. She certainly uses her big beautiful voice as an instrument and what a powerful instrument it is.
I also cut over briefly to check out the Del McCoury band, which was pretty cool. With all the band members dressed in suits and singing around a single microphone, the group seemed like they could easily have performed at the first festival 50 years ago. They were professional, yet full of mirth. And the start of what would be the throwback feeling of the rest of the day. The festival’s title of George Wein’s Folk Festival 50 was meant to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival, which began in 1959 with George Wein and Pete Seeger as two of the four co-founders. Besides the Del McCoury Band, the afternoon would feature Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger’s special guest Judy Collins. Baez had performed on the main stage at Newport its inaugural year in 1959 as a special guest of Bob Gibson. Pete Seeger, one of the co-founders, would be performing his second of two headlining shows. Arlo Guthrie debuted his most famous song “Alice’s Restaurant†at Newport back in the 1960’s. For Sunday afternoon, the clocks really would be turned back.
Arlo Guthrie gave a dynamic performance that was eagerly awaited by what seemed like legions of die hard fans in the audience. Baez brought a full band with her and played a number of songs from her new record Day After Tomorrow, produced by non other than Steve Earle, as well as Earle’s own “Christmas Time In Washington.â€Â She closed with Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright†before encoring with “Angel Band.â€Â Seeger stormed the closing set with help from numerous acts including Dala, Ruth Ungar (singing an excellent “War Time Bluesâ€), Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Joan Baez, the Balfa Troubajors (excellent on “Cajun Fever“), Judy Collins, Del McCoury, Ben Jaffe (Preservation Hall Band), and many, many others. Classic such as “Well May the World Go,“ “When the Saints Go Marching In,†and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken†were rejuvenated with Seeger’s naked enthusiasm, despite the rain the audience was right there with him. It truly was a celebration of 50 years of great folk music in Newport, Rhode Island.
About the author: Specializes in Dead, Drunk, and Nakedness..... Former College Radio DJ and Current Craft Beer Nerd