Wednesday, August 03, 2005
First Hand Account of the ChetFest via Bob Sarles
This was the toughest ticket in years, and I thought I had pull. Never did get my ticket, but my pal Jesse Block included me as a cameraman on his video crew documenting the event, so I was in. A good portion of the night I had a front row position, even if I had a 20 pound camera on my shoulder. Thanks to Tahoe Bob for writing this up, and to the great photographer Bob Minken for sending it our away, as well as his photos of the event which may be seen at:
ChetFest -- A Tribute to the life of Chet Helms
Chet was really a great guy. I first interviewed him for my film 'Feed Your Head' in '97, and we were friends ever since. He always made it to our house parties, holding court on the barber's chair, and he always came to our film screenings. If Chet was there, you knew it was the place to be in SF. We often spoke of projects we'd like to do together. Bill made the money, but Chet made friends. They say he died without any money, but he was a wealthy man in the ways that count. Chet will be sorely missed. One of a kind.
-bsarles
------------------------------------------------
ChetFest At SF's Great American Music Hall
A Tribute to the Life of Chet Helms
By Tahoe Bob
I'll just note what I can recall. There were so many people from every
band playing together, I'm sure to omit somebody and mess up the order
of acts. I also don't know all the players by name, when a detailed
setlist shows up then we'll all know who did what...
Wavy Gravy as emcee with Flying Other Brothers Roger McNamee as
(train)conductor. The hall was very intimate and it was easy to imagine
what it was like in the old ballrooms.
The lightshow was excellent, among the artists was Jerry Abrams of
Headlights/JA renown. A large circular screen centered above the stage
had two hanging panels on each side featuring white projection areas on
tye-dyed backgrounds. Old style liquid projection (at one point on
screen I watched as the artist added colored liquids from something that
looked like a plastic squeeze condiment bottle onto the projector and
mixed the colors of their palette), computer graphics and video both
live and recorded were shown. As John Krug has noted, many vintage
videos were screened as part of the light show. Many we've seen before,
segments from The Hippie Temptation, Human Be-in. Footage from People's
Park in Berkeley with troops on Telegraph, a video regarding the
facsimile edition of the Oracle (Chet's image here as he was interviewed
(there was no audio) was cheered by the crowd.) Some other footage with
Chet was shown, could this have been from the Tribal Stomp at the Greek
Theater 78?
The evening started with Joli Valenti and Friends as "The Friends of
Chet Band" with Mario Cipollina, Greg's Douglass and Anton and other
veterans of Quicksilver Gold. They played "Mona", "Imagine" (or did I
imagine that?), an un-recorded song by Joli's father Dino, a version of
Hendrix's "Angel" sung by a powerful drummer whose name I didn't catch,
David Frieberg joined for "Get Together".
The Flying Other Brothers with Barry Sless served as the "house band".
Pete Sears played keyboard, bass & accordion with just about every act
that appeared. Pete sang the lead vocals for "Stella Blue" the first of
many nods to Jerry Garcia's upcoming birthday. Chet's birthday is the
day after Jerry's. The FOB together and individually came and went from
the stage to support various acts. Other percussionists added to the
mix.
Then David Nelson Band, they did "Fennario" among others with Bob Weir
joining in for "Friend of the Devil" and "Ripple".
I think the "JS" portion of the show was very well received. Paul did
justice to "In My Life." Wavy Gravy was still introducing Paul, Prairie
and "Diane" as he started the song. I think many in the crowd were
unfamiliar with "Shadowlands", when Darby joined Diana on stage. A real
highlight of the entire evening, IMO, was David Frieberg singing "Pride
of Man", he was "in command" of the whole hall. His delivery was
powerful and confident, the backing band was excellent. Mark Karan took
the first lead solo and Barry Sless the second. It was really a shining
moment. David was wearing a black John Cipollina t-shirt! Paul then led
a rousing version of "Volunteers" with many in the audience singing
along and Diana leading the "Fight Back! refrain.
Bobby Vega, Prairie Prince and FOB drummer Jim Sanchez did an
instrumental featuring Vega's bass stylings.
Bob Weir with Karan and Matt Kelley did "Ashes and Glass", several Dead
songs including "The Wheel", "I Know You Rider", "Deal", mentioned
Jerry's birthday and did another signature Garcia song (which one I'm
forgetting at the moment), "She Belongs to Me", "KC Moan".
Mickey Hart joined in the middle of Bob's set and sang "Iko, Iko" and a
tribute to Jerry song I've heard, but can't recall the name "Down the
Road?" about Kennedy, John Lennon and "a big beard and glasses in the
sky".
T-Bone Burnett did a couple of songs, great voice and presence.
Country Joe came on with "Ridin' on A Starship" (is this a poke at
BATE?), led the audience in the "cheer" and
"Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag" and "Save the Whales" (background
vocals by David Frieberg, his wife, Diana, and another female singer
rather operatic with interesting vocalization.
Big Brother came out strong with Kathy McDonald doing vocals on "Down on
Me". Only originals were Peter Albin and David Getz, Sam Andrew was
appearing somewhere in a play, the lead guitar was provided by Tom Fitch
a BBHC alumni. They were joined shortly by Leigh Stephens from Blue
Cheer, who seemed rather subdued in his playing until "Ball and Chain".
I was at the back of the Hall and quite a few people left during BBHC. I
don't think the music drove them out, simply the late
hour or closing parking garages.
After BBHC, FOB came back on. Merle Saunders joined Pete at the keyboard
to rousing applause. It was getting early (1:30 AM) and as they played
"Going Down the Road Feeling Bad", I also took the hint and left. Sorry
that I may have missed Terry Haggerty and any finale.[I guess the show
wasn't much longer from what else I've read.]
As for the posters, what can one say? Check them out here on the auction
page:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7534741448
All but two of the poster artists were present, it would have been hard
for Rick Griffin to attend, but his artwork was used to great effect in
a poster with permission from his estate. The 14 poster pack made this
concert a "no-brainer" for those lucky enough to attend. What Pete Sears
did for organizing the musicians, Chris Shaw did for the poster artists.
Each attendee got a laminate (a smaller version of one of the posters)as
a "ticket" to get a poster pack. As you got your posters, a small cut
was made in the corner of the laminate.
I hope others will fill in any gaps, and look forward to their
impressions of this landmark event.
Thanks to all the organizers, Chet's family and especially Chet himself.
I have very good memories of events I've attended that Chet put on,
seeing him at various shows. I feel fortunate I was able to talk with
him and thank him about one of these memories as he autographed Mouse's
poster for the 78 Tribal Stomp, which is one of my favorites.
I tried to keep a setlist, but must admit I was having so much fun at the
front by the stage, + catching up with so many old friends in side
conversations - that my setlist notes are not complete. Adding to Jim's
post above, from my notebook:
(Joli Valenti and 'friends')
MONA (you knew from this instant the night was gonna ROCK! (this comment
for Angie))
IMAGINE
??? (I didn't catch the title to this one)
ANGEL
GET TOGETHER
(Flying Other Brothers and 'friends')
NICK OF TIME >
JAM >
DEVIL'S KITCHEN
SPILLIN' THE BLUES
STELLA BLUE (Pete Sears vocal/keys and Barry Sless - just awesome)
(David Nelson w/Pete Sears on bass(yes!), Barry Sless, Matt Kelly on
harp, Jimmy Sanchez on drums (he's been on drums since the beginning of
the FOB's set))
ROCKY ROAD BLUES
DIFFERENT WORLD
PEGGY-O/FENNARIO
EARL'S GIRLS
(now joined by Bob Weir and Robin Sylvester)
WHEEL >
RIPPLE
(Bobby Vega + Prairie Prince + Jimmy Sanchez)
??? (I don't know the title but never leave Bobby Vega out of any list
of top ten greatest bass players)
(T-Bone Burnett w/Flying Other Brothers & Prairie Prince)
??? (didn't catch the title)
MARCHING TO ZION (???)
(Paul Kantner + Diana Mangano + Prairie Prince)
IN MY LIFE (PK on 12 string acoustic)
(now joined by Darby Gould - PK switches to the Ric)
SHADOWLANDS (!!)
(now joined by David Freiberg, Linda Imperial, Barry Sless, Mark Karan,
Bobby Vega, Roger McNamee, Pete Sears)
PRIDE OF MAN (!!)
VOLUNTEERS (!!) (Diana pulls Eth up onstage to assist - the whole room
is singing Volunteers)
(Bob Weir, Robin Sylvester, Barry Sless, Mark Karan, Matt Kelly)
KC MOAN
ASHES & GLASS
(Bob Weir says "Somebody's Birthday is coming up.") >
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL
(now Mickey Hart come out and leads...)
AIKO AIKO
DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN
(Mickey leaves)
I KNOW YOU RIDER
DEAL
(Country Joe, Bobby Vega, Pete Sears, Roger McNamee)
STARSHIP RIDE
(now joined by David Freiberg, Linda Imperial, Diana Mangano)
GIVE ME AN 'F'.... >
I FEEL LIKE I'M FIXIN' TO DIE RAG (VIETNAM RAG)
SAVE THE WHALES
(Big Brother and the Holding Company - introduced by Wavy as 'Chet's
band)
?? - (I was in the back talking with John Murray + others + getting much
needed water - I didn't write down any of the great BBHC set)
Big Brother's set (order uncertain) included:
Down On Me
Blindman
Summertime
All Is Loneliness (not certain about this one)
Piece of My Heart
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On (or some sorta oldie)
Ball and Chain
(Flying Other Brother Brothers with Pete Sears and MERL SAUNDERS(!!) on
keys)
GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD
(Merl leaves and then Bert Keely leads for the finale)
FOREVER YOUNG
- - - - - - - -
Audio was mixed by the ever-incredible Howard Danchik. John Murray also
assisting. Hardly a snafu all night. The entire 6+ hours is recorded in
24bit/48Khz 24 track audio, and multi camera Beta. I say the entire
concert from beginning to end should be the final product to DVDs - not
a trimmed-down-to-fit-on-one-DVD version. Every minute of this concert
needs to be released (IMHO).
Mr. Pete Sears had a huge hand in assembling this entire production.
Thanks, Pete.
REVIEW ©2005 Tahoe Bob
Photos ©2005 Bob Minken
================================================
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. If you do not wish to receive these emailings
send a note to bsarlesWire@aol.com
----------------------------------
Bob Sarles/Ravin' Films
www.ravinfilms.com
Ravin' Films ¶ 8/03/2005 08:29:00 AM
This was the toughest ticket in years, and I thought I had pull. Never did get my ticket, but my pal Jesse Block included me as a cameraman on his video crew documenting the event, so I was in. A good portion of the night I had a front row position, even if I had a 20 pound camera on my shoulder. Thanks to Tahoe Bob for writing this up, and to the great photographer Bob Minken for sending it our away, as well as his photos of the event which may be seen at:
ChetFest -- A Tribute to the life of Chet Helms
Chet was really a great guy. I first interviewed him for my film 'Feed Your Head' in '97, and we were friends ever since. He always made it to our house parties, holding court on the barber's chair, and he always came to our film screenings. If Chet was there, you knew it was the place to be in SF. We often spoke of projects we'd like to do together. Bill made the money, but Chet made friends. They say he died without any money, but he was a wealthy man in the ways that count. Chet will be sorely missed. One of a kind.
-bsarles
------------------------------------------------
ChetFest At SF's Great American Music Hall
A Tribute to the Life of Chet Helms
By Tahoe Bob
I'll just note what I can recall. There were so many people from every
band playing together, I'm sure to omit somebody and mess up the order
of acts. I also don't know all the players by name, when a detailed
setlist shows up then we'll all know who did what...
Wavy Gravy as emcee with Flying Other Brothers Roger McNamee as
(train)conductor. The hall was very intimate and it was easy to imagine
what it was like in the old ballrooms.
The lightshow was excellent, among the artists was Jerry Abrams of
Headlights/JA renown. A large circular screen centered above the stage
had two hanging panels on each side featuring white projection areas on
tye-dyed backgrounds. Old style liquid projection (at one point on
screen I watched as the artist added colored liquids from something that
looked like a plastic squeeze condiment bottle onto the projector and
mixed the colors of their palette), computer graphics and video both
live and recorded were shown. As John Krug has noted, many vintage
videos were screened as part of the light show. Many we've seen before,
segments from The Hippie Temptation, Human Be-in. Footage from People's
Park in Berkeley with troops on Telegraph, a video regarding the
facsimile edition of the Oracle (Chet's image here as he was interviewed
(there was no audio) was cheered by the crowd.) Some other footage with
Chet was shown, could this have been from the Tribal Stomp at the Greek
Theater 78?
The evening started with Joli Valenti and Friends as "The Friends of
Chet Band" with Mario Cipollina, Greg's Douglass and Anton and other
veterans of Quicksilver Gold. They played "Mona", "Imagine" (or did I
imagine that?), an un-recorded song by Joli's father Dino, a version of
Hendrix's "Angel" sung by a powerful drummer whose name I didn't catch,
David Frieberg joined for "Get Together".
The Flying Other Brothers with Barry Sless served as the "house band".
Pete Sears played keyboard, bass & accordion with just about every act
that appeared. Pete sang the lead vocals for "Stella Blue" the first of
many nods to Jerry Garcia's upcoming birthday. Chet's birthday is the
day after Jerry's. The FOB together and individually came and went from
the stage to support various acts. Other percussionists added to the
mix.
Then David Nelson Band, they did "Fennario" among others with Bob Weir
joining in for "Friend of the Devil" and "Ripple".
I think the "JS" portion of the show was very well received. Paul did
justice to "In My Life." Wavy Gravy was still introducing Paul, Prairie
and "Diane" as he started the song. I think many in the crowd were
unfamiliar with "Shadowlands", when Darby joined Diana on stage. A real
highlight of the entire evening, IMO, was David Frieberg singing "Pride
of Man", he was "in command" of the whole hall. His delivery was
powerful and confident, the backing band was excellent. Mark Karan took
the first lead solo and Barry Sless the second. It was really a shining
moment. David was wearing a black John Cipollina t-shirt! Paul then led
a rousing version of "Volunteers" with many in the audience singing
along and Diana leading the "Fight Back! refrain.
Bobby Vega, Prairie Prince and FOB drummer Jim Sanchez did an
instrumental featuring Vega's bass stylings.
Bob Weir with Karan and Matt Kelley did "Ashes and Glass", several Dead
songs including "The Wheel", "I Know You Rider", "Deal", mentioned
Jerry's birthday and did another signature Garcia song (which one I'm
forgetting at the moment), "She Belongs to Me", "KC Moan".
Mickey Hart joined in the middle of Bob's set and sang "Iko, Iko" and a
tribute to Jerry song I've heard, but can't recall the name "Down the
Road?" about Kennedy, John Lennon and "a big beard and glasses in the
sky".
T-Bone Burnett did a couple of songs, great voice and presence.
Country Joe came on with "Ridin' on A Starship" (is this a poke at
BATE?), led the audience in the "cheer" and
"Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag" and "Save the Whales" (background
vocals by David Frieberg, his wife, Diana, and another female singer
rather operatic with interesting vocalization.
Big Brother came out strong with Kathy McDonald doing vocals on "Down on
Me". Only originals were Peter Albin and David Getz, Sam Andrew was
appearing somewhere in a play, the lead guitar was provided by Tom Fitch
a BBHC alumni. They were joined shortly by Leigh Stephens from Blue
Cheer, who seemed rather subdued in his playing until "Ball and Chain".
I was at the back of the Hall and quite a few people left during BBHC. I
don't think the music drove them out, simply the late
hour or closing parking garages.
After BBHC, FOB came back on. Merle Saunders joined Pete at the keyboard
to rousing applause. It was getting early (1:30 AM) and as they played
"Going Down the Road Feeling Bad", I also took the hint and left. Sorry
that I may have missed Terry Haggerty and any finale.[I guess the show
wasn't much longer from what else I've read.]
As for the posters, what can one say? Check them out here on the auction
page:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7534741448
All but two of the poster artists were present, it would have been hard
for Rick Griffin to attend, but his artwork was used to great effect in
a poster with permission from his estate. The 14 poster pack made this
concert a "no-brainer" for those lucky enough to attend. What Pete Sears
did for organizing the musicians, Chris Shaw did for the poster artists.
Each attendee got a laminate (a smaller version of one of the posters)as
a "ticket" to get a poster pack. As you got your posters, a small cut
was made in the corner of the laminate.
I hope others will fill in any gaps, and look forward to their
impressions of this landmark event.
Thanks to all the organizers, Chet's family and especially Chet himself.
I have very good memories of events I've attended that Chet put on,
seeing him at various shows. I feel fortunate I was able to talk with
him and thank him about one of these memories as he autographed Mouse's
poster for the 78 Tribal Stomp, which is one of my favorites.
I tried to keep a setlist, but must admit I was having so much fun at the
front by the stage, + catching up with so many old friends in side
conversations - that my setlist notes are not complete. Adding to Jim's
post above, from my notebook:
(Joli Valenti and 'friends')
MONA (you knew from this instant the night was gonna ROCK! (this comment
for Angie))
IMAGINE
??? (I didn't catch the title to this one)
ANGEL
GET TOGETHER
(Flying Other Brothers and 'friends')
NICK OF TIME >
JAM >
DEVIL'S KITCHEN
SPILLIN' THE BLUES
STELLA BLUE (Pete Sears vocal/keys and Barry Sless - just awesome)
(David Nelson w/Pete Sears on bass(yes!), Barry Sless, Matt Kelly on
harp, Jimmy Sanchez on drums (he's been on drums since the beginning of
the FOB's set))
ROCKY ROAD BLUES
DIFFERENT WORLD
PEGGY-O/FENNARIO
EARL'S GIRLS
(now joined by Bob Weir and Robin Sylvester)
WHEEL >
RIPPLE
(Bobby Vega + Prairie Prince + Jimmy Sanchez)
??? (I don't know the title but never leave Bobby Vega out of any list
of top ten greatest bass players)
(T-Bone Burnett w/Flying Other Brothers & Prairie Prince)
??? (didn't catch the title)
MARCHING TO ZION (???)
(Paul Kantner + Diana Mangano + Prairie Prince)
IN MY LIFE (PK on 12 string acoustic)
(now joined by Darby Gould - PK switches to the Ric)
SHADOWLANDS (!!)
(now joined by David Freiberg, Linda Imperial, Barry Sless, Mark Karan,
Bobby Vega, Roger McNamee, Pete Sears)
PRIDE OF MAN (!!)
VOLUNTEERS (!!) (Diana pulls Eth up onstage to assist - the whole room
is singing Volunteers)
(Bob Weir, Robin Sylvester, Barry Sless, Mark Karan, Matt Kelly)
KC MOAN
ASHES & GLASS
(Bob Weir says "Somebody's Birthday is coming up.") >
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL
(now Mickey Hart come out and leads...)
AIKO AIKO
DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN
(Mickey leaves)
I KNOW YOU RIDER
DEAL
(Country Joe, Bobby Vega, Pete Sears, Roger McNamee)
STARSHIP RIDE
(now joined by David Freiberg, Linda Imperial, Diana Mangano)
GIVE ME AN 'F'.... >
I FEEL LIKE I'M FIXIN' TO DIE RAG (VIETNAM RAG)
SAVE THE WHALES
(Big Brother and the Holding Company - introduced by Wavy as 'Chet's
band)
?? - (I was in the back talking with John Murray + others + getting much
needed water - I didn't write down any of the great BBHC set)
Big Brother's set (order uncertain) included:
Down On Me
Blindman
Summertime
All Is Loneliness (not certain about this one)
Piece of My Heart
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On (or some sorta oldie)
Ball and Chain
(Flying Other Brother Brothers with Pete Sears and MERL SAUNDERS(!!) on
keys)
GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD
(Merl leaves and then Bert Keely leads for the finale)
FOREVER YOUNG
- - - - - - - -
Audio was mixed by the ever-incredible Howard Danchik. John Murray also
assisting. Hardly a snafu all night. The entire 6+ hours is recorded in
24bit/48Khz 24 track audio, and multi camera Beta. I say the entire
concert from beginning to end should be the final product to DVDs - not
a trimmed-down-to-fit-on-one-DVD version. Every minute of this concert
needs to be released (IMHO).
Mr. Pete Sears had a huge hand in assembling this entire production.
Thanks, Pete.
REVIEW ©2005 Tahoe Bob
Photos ©2005 Bob Minken
================================================
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving the included information for research and
educational purposes. If you do not wish to receive these emailings
send a note to bsarlesWire@aol.com
----------------------------------
Bob Sarles/Ravin' Films
www.ravinfilms.com
Ravin' Films ¶ 8/03/2005 08:29:00 AM
