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Whew. In a word -- incredible. But, not for all the expected reasons. The people were ALL so cool. It was really a festival by and for the people. The owners, Roy and Jeryl, left early Friday so as to not risk arrest for violating the injunction against the event. Things carried on despite rain and chronic sound problems -- I got to meet Bill Hanley (Woodstock '69 soundman, and Bethel '97 co-producer and co-soundman with Thumper).
News coverage was minimal, since this movement for peace and love was competing with the violence and racism of the NYPD, and the dead and bloated King of Rock and Roll who could barely play a guitar or write a song (but that voice, that hair, those eyes...). I heard that CNN showed something short -- just on Friday while the stage was being finished and people were arriving and the big question was what the cops would do.
Well, the stage finally got set-up, the crowd peaked at about 15k, and the cops didn't do shit, unless you tried to go the site of the original stage which is now owned by this Alan Gerry guy who wants to develop a peace-love theme park! They could call it the "Trippin' Disney Farm," or something.
Late Sunday, owner Roy returned to his land, and as I was meeting him, Fox News showed up. So, I was standing next to him as they interviewed him --he answered every question with some political statement. He's my hero!
Also providing political perspective (and humor) were the members of the South African band, David Marks and The Hidden Years. David Marks is a freedom-fighter musician who took the sprit and sound equipment from Woodstock '69 back to South Africa. During aparthied, his music was banned from radio play although he was immensely popular among the people. They were all very positive and incredible musicians who represent the spirit of Woodstock (Freedom, Love, Peace, and Music) as well as anyone at Bethel '97.
It rained a little every day, and a whole lot just before the final couple bands. This downpour cleared nearly the entire field -- though many continued to watch from their tents, cars, and vendors' shelters. The last band, A.J.O., from Reno, NV is a superstar band with: Harpo De Roma (Canned Heat) blowing harp and singing, Billy Yates (The Outlaws guitarist, and serious session work), Riki Hendrix (Jimi's cousin, played in many hot-hot '70s bands), and an unknown (but great) bass-player and 2 women on back-up vocals and percussion. Perry the drummer/singer was really nice, helped Buzzy a lot, and he has a background that would impress people with jazz knowledge. I was impressed by his kindness. They asked Buzzy to join the jam on keyboards. Of course, this lineup provided the best jams of the weekend.
There were about 20-30 friends and crew on the stage keeping the program running in spite of the torrential downpour. When they would finish a song, we clapped, and the people in their cars honked and flashed their lights. Screw the Fuzz, we didn't even need a crowd to play for peace, love, and freedom. Hopefully, the people driving home were listening to the simulcast on a local station (104.5, don't recall the call letters). After A.J.O. (Buzzy says it stands for Automatic Jukebox Orgasm, but I think he made this up) this Russian guy, Anton, finally got to play a song. He had been helping on stage for hours hoping (and begging Buzzy) for a chance to play acoustic. He played a song, "I Sing Only For You", which he had written the day before, inspired by the unstoppable miracle. Buzzy and I accompanied him with some improvised backup vocals. Another example of the spirit living on.
Besides the uncertainty of legal issues, the main drawback was that recurring rain and sound trouble (and poor schedule adaptation) prevented many bands from being able to play. However, for the audience there was some reconciliation for this. There was always a drum circle, somewhere. I taped a couple we hosted at the xenobus.
There were the Max's Barn Blues Jams; when the main stage was down Friday night, an impromptu jam ensued in the Barn. I was not there to witness this, but my friend Erik (a fine young blues guitarist) was primary guitar jammer with Mark Leach (Buddy Miles Hammond player) and many others sitting in.
The Barn was the feeding area for the bands and crew (with very minimal security, so hungry anybody was welcome). The Barn also housed a crash-zone with about 50 (underutilized) cots donated by the Red Cross.
The music continued on Monday in various forms. In fact, when I left at 8:30 pm Monday, Buzzy and Kenny the Mountain (the producer/booker for the non-event and Buzzy's East-Coast drummer) were getting ready to play in the Barn. Also, makeshift stages in the woods behind the main stage and next to the main stage provided entertainment during the breakdowns. When things were running, the main and side stages provided nearly continuous music.
After it was all over Kenny told me that 470 musicians had crossed the main and side stages in the form of around 60 bands or acoustic acts. Buzzy never played his own set, which lead to lower than expected CD sales. In the face of the bigger mission of Woodstock/Bethel, we didn't mind one bit. Nevertheless, the CD is finished and we received much positive feedback from those who heard it. Yes, you can hear it, if you buy it (or comeover and listen at my place, then you WILL want to buy it). CALL BuzzArt @ 310-399-3381, or if you're a Baltimoron, call me @ 410-276-4264 and we can save shipping costs. $15 for 15 songs, each packed with entertainment. Enough blatant marketing, that's not what I'm here to tell you.
The Rainbow People provided help to all in need in the form of food, water, shelter, and some of the alterna-stages. When I left, they were showing no signs of packing up and some were still vending (or giving?).
Another group, 'Road Warrior People', as we dubbed them, handled recycling. Some of the dirtiest, yet fashionable people I've ever seen (again, think Road Warrior), they would go through all the trash-bags for bottles and cans. They would march past calling out, "Bring out yer dead! Or just your bottles and cans."
Other people with no particular affiliation helped by picking up trash, directing traffic, or sharing whatever they had, even if it was just a smile or a joint. These generous efforts made the weekend an incredibly positive experience and the Farm looked like it was ready for another event (rather than trashed from the one that just happened) by Monday. If the Farm gets non-for profit, or commune status, these kinds of festivals could go on for weeks.
I must add one more favorite moment (actually about an hour), and that was when Stir Fried, with Buddy Cage (pedal steel guitar guru of The New Riders, and 100's of other player credits) played Sunday evening (pre-rain). They are great! The relative timing afforded them one of the largest crowds of the festival. They plan to venture outside the NY-NJ area soon and are working on their second album which features Buzzy playing vibes on one track (so far!), "Shades of Blue", written by Tommy Kaye (made huge by Judy Garland in the '40s). Johnny Markowski, the band's lead singer and acoustic guitar player, is Tommy Kaye's son, and Tommy and Buzzy were colleagues back in the old days. May the circle be unbroken!
Well, that's my report on Bethel '97. I hope I've told you enough to make you go next year and to spread a little love between now and then.
Special thanks to the Buzzy-Xenobus crew of Ali, Johnny, Erik, Danny and of course the guard dogs, Frisker and Minnie. Peace.