Forecastle is Mighty Fine

Posted: July 12th, 2010 | Filed under: Culture, Music | 2 Comments »

For the first time in years I heard a band play a Chuck Berry tune as an encore.

Just the way the Good Lord meant for it to be.

So Bless Ya, M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, you made my day.

Frankly, She and Him’s entire set was a wonder for me. I’m old school. Grew up with rock and roll. Have always had a sweet spot for 60s girl groups. (And there’s always been a space in my parking lot for crackly voiced Ms. Deschanel, truth be told.)

But I wasn’t all that familiar with the music of this conglomeration. My first impression after dragging the Film Babe down close was that Deschanel’s voice is a might brittle. After a song or two, she settled in, then starting morphing into Robin Ward (“Wonderful Summer”), Kathy Young (A Thousand Stars”), Leslie Gore . . . you know what I’m sayin?

Here’s a video of Zoeey and pal, paying their respects to Smokey Robinson:

When the backup singers joined the band on stage — the Paris Sisters incarnate? — they channeled the Murmaids (“Popsicles and Icicles”) , the Jaynettes (“Sally Go Round The Roses”) , the Angels (‘Til”), etc, etc.

I’m such a sap for those songs. (I’m listening to a great compilation as I write: “Girls, Girls, Girls.”). Okay, how about another little diversion. Thank you for making this the most wonderful summer of my life. (It really has nothing to do with Forecastle, but, hey, it’s my blog, and I’ll do what I want.)

Then She and Him came back for an encore, and I’ll be damned if the group didn’t rip into a rousing version of “Roll Over Beethoven.”

There was a time — and such a time it was — when any rock band worth its salt would at some time during its set would ask: “You wanna hear some Chuck Berry?”

So that’s one of the things — among many — I loved most about Forecastle. Sittin’ on the riverside, listening to summer rock and roll. A genial gathering. Food that was a cut above corn dogs and elephant ears, especially that from the folks at Basa.

I also enjoyed Minus the Bear, whose music was accomplished. And Spoon, with their spare but interesting arrangements. Neither of the bands’ music was familiar to me beforehand. I didn’t make it out on Saturday. Much to my chagrin. I did want to hear Devo.

None of the music on Friday really grabbed me. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat: Widespread Panic is B.O.R.I.N.G. And, while I understand the amazement at the extravaganza that is The Flaming Lips show, I find their music simply mundane. When I went to hear Heavyweight Du Champion at the Ocean Stage, he simply hadn’t caught a groove. Though I understand the techno deejay dance venue rocked most of the time. Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos, and Frontier Ruckus also caught my attention. When Dead Confederate played, I kept wondering where the song was amid the cacophony?

But I loved the festival. Great layout. Bucolic setting, especially the North Stage. Real activism.

Finally, after decades, Louisville has an annual event that’s a real honest to Betsy rock festival. Locally grown too.

J.K. McKnight, hats off to you, dude. You done good.

What a treat.

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