Hardly Strictly Blugrass 2005

Patti Griffin @ Rooser Stage:















Patti's Setlist:

1. Truth #2
2. Free
3. When It Don't Come Easy
4. Love Throw a Line
5. Useless Desires
6. Rain
7. Getting Ready
8. Nobody's Crying

Photos by Steve Berry




















Review of the event from Jerry:

Patty appeared today at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in the mist and fog of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. She took the stage with Doug at noon and launched into “Truth #2” followed by her beautiful new song “Free”. I was standing next to another huge Patty fan (which is always a comfort at these outdoor venues with multiple artists) and we both just grinned to hear her sing for the first time a great song that seems destined for the new album.

You gotta love Patty for always forging ahead and playing what interests her. The set was only 45 minutes (way too short) and yet she played two new songs. No resting on her laurels. And boy-oh-boy does it make me long for the new album.

The crowd was very big and enthusiastic, even if they were for the most part sitting on lawn chairs. I have written before that it is apparent that Patty appreciates her support in the Bay Area. The love affair continues. At one point, after Patty mentioned that she had broken a string and couldn’t play “the beautiful song” she had planned, a woman from the side yelled: “All your songs are good.” Patty mouthed a big “thank you” in return.

The sound at this outdoor venue was typically inadequate. Patty has a tendency not to butt up against the mike (probably because of her huge voice) and often times, for artistic/musical effect, she purposely backs off of it. All of this made her sound a little less full than usual, but that is neither a criticism nor was it particularly problematic. And as always there were peerless, transcendent moments when she rules all she purveys, such as when she sang “Nobody’s Crying” for her final number. The meadow in which she was playing hushed and strained to catch every note and erupted in a standing ovation when she completed the song. No small feat for such an unruly environment.

Since Patty and Doug play so many gigs it is difficult to know what they are really thinking, but they appeared to be having fun. Doug’s backup was terrific, as usual. I can never say enough about how important he is to Patty’s music. He’s a great musician in his own right who nurtures Patty’s songs perfectly. My sense is that he completely understands how important he is and well loved he is for his efforts onstage and in the studio. Today, he opened up the heat just a little with his playing, and it was fun to hear. It made me think of his guitar work on “Flaming Red”, “Blue Sky”, and “Boston” – three great songs made all the more incredible by his bold yet muted style.

For me, there was one seminal moment. A few songs into the set, I noticed that Joan Baez had come out to listen. (She was scheduled to play next.) Patty was playing “Love Throws a Line”. A few nights ago, I had seen Joan speak quite a bit about Bob Dylan in Scorcese’s “No Direction Home”. That film reminded all of us about Joan’s intimate connection to the greatest songwriter in American history. Patty is the only other artist, in my humble opinion, who can span the same range with the same greatness as Dylan (e.g. country, folk, rock, and gospel styles) and who, like Dylan, has forged some new ground (as Emmylou Harris has also said).

To see Joan Baez listening intently to Patty singing onstage brought a shiver down my spine and smile to my face. Patty’s songs had thrown a line out and Joan caught it, if only for a brief moment. I have no idea what Joan really was thinking but she did applaud with her hands over her head as she left to get ready for her turn. But I like to think that Baez is a fan. I suspect she knows Patty’s music, as Joan combs the scene for good songs to sing. And there was another more superficial connection between Patty and Joan, as Patty sang “Rain” and Joan sang “Hard Rain Gonna Fall”. But for me, watching Joan watch Patty was resplendent. It was also heart-warming and uplifting to see the continuity between the generations of musicians who have spent their lives bringing beauty, pleasure, and hope to the rest of us. I am grateful to them more than words can ever express.

Jerry