June 8, 2007

Wakarusa Festival Review & Photos - Day 2 - 06/08/07

Went over to the Revival Stage to catch Shannon McNally, who will be opening for Marc Broussard at the House of Blues in a couple of weeks. So I decided to see a bit of a preview to see what I have in store. I did no research on her before I showed up, so seeing her with an acoustic guitar I was expecting a Sheryl Crow knockoff. No Way….this lady has some chops and look forward to seeing her again in Dallas. Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars even showed up to sit in the whole set.

Shannon McNally www.MusicRoadMan.com

Shannon McNally, Slade Brown & Luther Dickinson of NMA www.MusicRoadMan.com

Shannon McNally www.MusicRoadMan.com

After lunch. I headed over to the Main Stage to see JJ Grey & Mofro, somebody that I had been wanting to see for a while but never crossed paths with. JJ was full of fire as this was his first performance in about 3 weeks and it showed that he wanted to make up for lost time. The only time he did not smile during the whole set was when he was having a swig of beer or playing his harmonica. He started off with "Blackwater" and continued on with "Country Ghetto", the title track off of his new album. Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars made a quick stop before JJ ended the set with "The Sun Is Shining Down", appropriate for the weather this late afternoon.

JJ Grey & Mofro www.MusicRoadMan.com

JJ Grey & Mofro www.MusicRoadMan.com

JJ taking a break www.MusicRoadMan.com

JJ with Luther Dickinson of NMA www.MusicRoadMan.com

JJ on harmonica www.MusicRoadMan.com

How could I not go see a band called "Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band". I had no idea what to expect and the first thing that caught my eye was the bass player, Al Al ( that is not a misspelling) and his viking hat. I hung around for a few songs before hunger drove me away, but these guys are a bit of rap, funk and a ton of electricity. Definate must see when they come through my area.

Al Al & J.P. of Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band www.MusicRoadMan.com

Well, hunger went by the wayside as I noticed a strong female voice emitting from the Homegrown Stage. I walked in on Chilly Moon starting their set and Lindsay was swaying the sparse crowd with her own brand of rock and funk. Then I realized that her and the bass player, Matt, were dancing next to me at the North Mississippi Allstars set last night with no hint they were in a band at all. The crowd started trickling in as I sat back in amazement of the sound that came out the mouth of this young woman and the strumming of the guitar from Isayah. These kids from Fayetteville, AR won a local contest to play at Wakarusa and much deserved even though they have only been together about a year. They will be playing a better stage on their next trip.

Isayah, Jared & Lindsay of Chilly Moon www.MusicRoadMan.com

Lindsay French of Chilly Moon www.MusicRoadMan.com

Isayah Warford of Chilly Moon www.MusicRoadMan.com

Matt Holcomb of Chilly Moon www.MusicRoadMan.com

Well, a coin flip to decide between Ozomatli and Galactic and the winner is…….Galactic. It is kind of hard to ditch a set from my home boys from New Orleans and the kings of instrumental funk jam did not disappoint this overflowing crowd. Ben was his normal great self on the saxaphone, Stanton was on a mission playing the drums and Luther Dickinson continued his walk around the festival grounds sitting in on one song. JJ also made an appearance for a few songs and he sat back amazed at keyboard playing of Rich Vogel. I can never get enough of their music and I am curious to hear their new album, From The Corner To the Block, in August with a bit of a twist in adding hip-hop. Interesting……

Ben Ellman of Galactic www.MusicRoadMan.com

Stanton Moore of Galactic www.MusicRoadMan.com

Robert Mercurio/Luther Dickinson www.MusicRoadMan.com

Ben, Robert and JJ www.MusicRoadMan.com

I stood up for a few songs for Ben Harper before an ailing back drove me back to the tent. The crowd was heavy as he approached the stage and he seems to be a lady killer judging from the screams of the women. What is it about those guitar players??????