The Mount Baker Festival has a unique PNW flavor. It is held at the Deming Log Event Fairground, a dedicated venue for Lumberjack Competitions. It is on the west slope of Mount Baker about 10 miles from any real civilization.
Rustic is a good description of the site and many of the attendees. Frequent sights included bald head pony tails, outrageous gray hair mullets, 65 year old Earth Mommas wearing beaded mini-skirts over well worn jeans, and guy and gal coots showing off their tats.
Saying it was laid back and loosely, but well run sums it up nicely. It was really enjoyable with everyone as friendly as could be. The people watching was enormous fun.
Joanna and I volunteered doing three shifts each at the beer tent. The Midnight to 2:00 pm Saturday shift was interesting. It was a jam with local blues musicians. It reinforced the deep appreciation and respect I have for 1% of the guitar players in the world. That would be those that really know how to play. The other 99% should be segregated from the rest of humankind.
The entire happening was fun and wacky. It was an experience. It was a movement.
The Drive Up
We took the west route from Bainbridge riding the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry to get to the East side of the sound. We drove I-5 part of the way and then detoured to Edison along State Route 11. This is a destination for foodies with good reason. Joanna enjoyed a great berry pie while I loved a gooey pecan roll. We also bought some bread from an Artisan Baker and visited a small but terrific deli.
We continued North on Route 11 as it followed the coast.
San Juan Islands
The San Juans from a Route 11 pulloff.
Same location facing Northwest
The Music
A Simple Machine
A three piece blues rock band with a heavy SRV/Hendrix influence. Good players tending toward long jams.
The Fat Tones
Three piece band playing updated blues. They and the crowd had a great time. All three of these guys sing at the same time, in tune. It was very impressive and made it special for me.
The Randy Oxford Band
http://randyoxford.com/new_band/index.html
Played Smoking hot blues. Easily the most exciting band we saw. They did some original material that was stunningly good. The only band I've seen this year that topped them in wowing the crowd was Trombone Shorty.
There is no substitute for everyone in the band being really talented and playing their asses off.
They just toured the midwest including Chicago and Omaha. Worth making an effort to see if they are in your area.
Farko Dosumov, their bass player has an intensity that will knock you back ten steps. He channels Jaco Pastorius. He hails from Uzbekistan.
Rafael Tranquilino
Musical director of the band and seriously good. At the end of their set, he had nothing left to say, and that is saying a lot. We got everything he had, which was a bunch.
Janiva Magness
Using what she's got to get what she wants.
Solid professional backup band. Solid professional show. They played better than when we saw them at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Had the misfortune of following The Randy Oxford Band. Could not keep up with them in the intensity department.
Leon Russell
As you would expect, a great show. He has not lost a bit in the piano chops department. Terrific material with a lot of variety. The voice is different but still sounds distinctive and very good. All great players. The guitarist did a solo song playing acoustic and singing Walking Blues in the traditional Robert Johnson style. Impressive. Reminded me of how John plays that material.
Leon was one of the few guys left on my Bucket List. I am very glad I was able to see him.
Leon's Full Band
The Back of Leon's Piano Rig
Mount Baker Blues Fest Website: http://www.boomkak.com/bakerblues/info.html
The bottom of a Sunflower Star. The legs look like they would be soft but are actually feel hard like scales.
