It was a nice day of hanging out in the sun with some friends and then shivering into the night.

Got caught in some traffic and missed Sean Chambers. If you ever get a chance to see him, he gets this killer Strat rock tone through an old Crate amp. Even talked to him about this anomaly once, and I think even he is shocked.

Love Matt Schofield. Sat there just coveting his amp during his set. I think there was actual spittle forming at the corners of my mouth. Two Rock really makes some killer stuff, but great googley-moogley, they are pricey. He was doing a trio with drums and organ the last two times I saw him (I think). This time, no keys at all but bass and a killer harp player. What a great player.

Los Lobos were great. I was amazed at their bass player, kind of like the night before at TTB in Jax. Just stellar how he held the bottom with some really inventive lines. I've seen them several times, and I just feel they don't get the kind of following they are due.

Aimee Mann came out with Ted Leo after that. It didn't fit the vibe of the fest. It was marred by crap sound. For God's sake, just take a high-pass filter and carve out some of the low frequencies. They ended with her Til' Tuesday song "Voices Carry," and it was rather amusing to see a bunch of folks singing/dancing to a slice of the 80's. Not my cup of tea.

Chirs Robinson was good. Hate to say this as me makes me feel petty, but my perception was affected by his recent attempt to make Scott Gorman and his brother salaried employees in the Crowes. What a wank. I think his CRB music is made for outdoor shows, especially when it gets trippy. Too short but enjoyable.

After sitting through the horror that was Cha-wa, opening for TTB in Jax, I was in no mood for more mardi gras music, but the Rebirth Brass band's good time vibe was infectious. Can't say I would rush out to see them again, but it was a hell of a lot of fun people watching during their set.

Grace Potter. People seemed to love it. I did not. Never did. I suspect I never will. She just feels as contrived as the Monkees to me. Please don't take up the banner to convert me either. My girlfriend loves her, so I am subjected to a steady dose of her histrionics. Some folks say that about Susan; I am not one of those, so let us agree to disagree. I will say this, though. There was a swampy slide tone I heard through the show that sounded just fantastic. Didn't hear much single note playing, but it really filled out the chords.

Robby Krieger was the surprise. They opened up tunes like The Doors did, and Robby played about as well as he ever has (keeping in mind he hadn't been playing long when he joined the band). Berry Oakley jr. came out for the last three tunes. The younger Krieger was the singer. Not that I expected it, but it would have been cool to hear a Bloodline tune from their old band. There are still a few great cuts off that disc if you haven't checked out their eponymous album. All in all, rough around the edges but a blast to hear some Doors music being played live to an appreciative crowd.

I won't echo what I said about TTB in the Jax post except to say they are my favorite live band out there right now. For those of you in the "I want my Derek Trucks Band and won't give the TTB the time of day" camp, I suggest you simply buy a ticket. They are just spectacular live with enough Mike Mattison vocals and instrumental interludes to keep most Susan-bashers at bay. They played several new cuts over the last two nights that fit right it with their existing songs. I am looking forward to the release, whenever that may be.

My final review is that of me, who I have found is getting older. The temperature went from uncomfortably warm in direct sunlight to downright chilly at night. My girlfriend couldn't take it any more, so we left after the stellar jam in (I think) "Idle Wind." After just making it back to Gainesville, it dawned on me that if we had stayed for the entire TTB set, I just don't know how I would have gotten us home safely. Yes, I was out late the night before in Jax, but what happened to that endless reserve of youthful energy? PFFFTTT!

Don't know if you have seen these, but a local liquor store sells packets of booze (rum is okay but the whiskey is toxic). It's the equivalent of a bottle but comes in shot-sized packets that lie flat. They are also connected in a big string, so you can break off what you want. Yes, I know this is a pretty sorry version of Midnight Express, but after seeing the huge lines to get anything, I was pleased to have taped some up my back. Not having to exploit anybody's anal cavity was also a plus... I've always said that.

Peace.

Blooby

[Edited on 1/18/2015 by Blooby]