HIPPIEFEST
August 28th, 2010
Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, Florida
August 28th, 2010
Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, Florida
What a kool event! It was my fist visit to the beautiful Ruth Eckerd Hall, and let me tell ya, those folks sure know how to treat a bunch'a hippies!
There was an old car, Volkswagon, and VW bus show outside. 'Hip' vendors inside, life-size classic photos of John & Yoko, Joni, Janis and others, and a very kool chalk album cover illustrating contest.
But the music was the real treat.
Legendary CREAM lead vocalist and bassist JACK BRUCE was my personal favorite. Jack's voice was in fine form, and there is no doubt in my mind now tthat he may be the world's greatest bass player. Jack kept with the fest's mode playing all CREAM tunes: Sunshine of Your Love; N.S.U.; I Feel Free; We're Going Wrong; I'm So Glad; Politician; and White Room. All of the songs kicked ass! With Politician probably being my favorite of the night...heady stuff man.
The other players on the bill: WAR; RARE EARTH; and MITCH RYDER I'd seen before, and all put on fine performances, with a few cracks about their age thrown in for kicks. Mitch said we came to the point in the show where he would have normally cut loose with his famous dance moves, but being that he was on his second hip replacement he'd forgo the boogieing down. Although he did sound great - "Jenny take a ride", "Devil with a blue dress", and my fave "Sock it to me" all sounding awesome!
I'd never seen Joey Molland's BADFINGER thinking he was not in the original band, but apparently he joined in '69 and was in the band for all the hits. It was great to hear Baby Blue; Come and Get it; Day After Day; and
There was an old car, Volkswagon, and VW bus show outside. 'Hip' vendors inside, life-size classic photos of John & Yoko, Joni, Janis and others, and a very kool chalk album cover illustrating contest.
But the music was the real treat.
Legendary CREAM lead vocalist and bassist JACK BRUCE was my personal favorite. Jack's voice was in fine form, and there is no doubt in my mind now tthat he may be the world's greatest bass player. Jack kept with the fest's mode playing all CREAM tunes: Sunshine of Your Love; N.S.U.; I Feel Free; We're Going Wrong; I'm So Glad; Politician; and White Room. All of the songs kicked ass! With Politician probably being my favorite of the night...heady stuff man.
The other players on the bill: WAR; RARE EARTH; and MITCH RYDER I'd seen before, and all put on fine performances, with a few cracks about their age thrown in for kicks. Mitch said we came to the point in the show where he would have normally cut loose with his famous dance moves, but being that he was on his second hip replacement he'd forgo the boogieing down. Although he did sound great - "Jenny take a ride", "Devil with a blue dress", and my fave "Sock it to me" all sounding awesome!
I'd never seen Joey Molland's BADFINGER thinking he was not in the original band, but apparently he joined in '69 and was in the band for all the hits. It was great to hear Baby Blue; Come and Get it; Day After Day; and 
HIPPIEFEST
RUTH ECKERD HALL
JACK BRUCE
WAR
MITCH RYDER
RARE EARTH
JOEY MOLLAND
