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Of the six performances I saw, I rate them:
6. Ricky Lee Jones: Still quirky after all these years; I last saw her about 30 years ago, and her performance here was like all the others; she's a late-blooming beat, and "Chuck E's in Love" was her only hit because it was the only song of hers that was upbeat. People were streaming out of the big tent (that held 3800!) in droves, but we thunderous hard core ones were treated to a fantastic encore!
5. Herbie Hancock: He was great when he was part of other groups--notably with Miles Davis. Ever since he started doing "fusion" in the '70s he has reminded me of an expert chef who knows all the recipes and all the techniques but unfortunately comes up with forgettable dishes. Always a favorite with Boomers (my first students), he now does what I call Super Fusion, his latest iteration of the fusion lite he did back in the day.
4. Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Hot, hot, hot! They had us dancing in the aisles, and not just the North Bay yuppies! I've enjoyed their music on CD and TV, but this live experience brought it all home. Fantastic!
3. B.B. King: When I last saw him, he was 40 and I was 29. I enjoy gramps and his stories and remaining licks on Lucille, and I can see why some young'uns were wondering what it's all about. Still, I'm glad I added this bookend to my earlier expreriences!
2. Dianne Reeves: I finally became aware--belatedly--of who this marvelous admixture of the soulfulness of Diana Ross and the sohisticated jazziness of Sarah Vaughan was when I saw "Good Night and Good Luck" last year! At 49, she's in her prime. I will seek her out more now!
1. Natalie Cole: Unforgettable, indeed! She did it all, had us all in her hands, and we resonated as one. What a human, aesthetic, soulful and indescribably ecstatic experience this was! Nat on the side screen in B&W and Natalie in the flesh, together again...what more can I say?
The venue was extraordinary on the Field of Dreams, with a free open area full of many foods, drinks, other groups playing during the breaks. The Jazz and Song on the Plaza was fun at seven clubs, with groups and wine matchings Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Great! I only hope next year to see more Sonoma county performers in the small venues, and not just primarily Bay Area performers. Way to go, Sonoma!
6. Ricky Lee Jones: Still quirky after all these years; I last saw her about 30 years ago, and her performance here was like all the others; she's a late-blooming beat, and "Chuck E's in Love" was her only hit because it was the only song of hers that was upbeat. People were streaming out of the big tent (that held 3800!) in droves, but we thunderous hard core ones were treated to a fantastic encore!
5. Herbie Hancock: He was great when he was part of other groups--notably with Miles Davis. Ever since he started doing "fusion" in the '70s he has reminded me of an expert chef who knows all the recipes and all the techniques but unfortunately comes up with forgettable dishes. Always a favorite with Boomers (my first students), he now does what I call Super Fusion, his latest iteration of the fusion lite he did back in the day.
4. Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Hot, hot, hot! They had us dancing in the aisles, and not just the North Bay yuppies! I've enjoyed their music on CD and TV, but this live experience brought it all home. Fantastic!
3. B.B. King: When I last saw him, he was 40 and I was 29. I enjoy gramps and his stories and remaining licks on Lucille, and I can see why some young'uns were wondering what it's all about. Still, I'm glad I added this bookend to my earlier expreriences!
2. Dianne Reeves: I finally became aware--belatedly--of who this marvelous admixture of the soulfulness of Diana Ross and the sohisticated jazziness of Sarah Vaughan was when I saw "Good Night and Good Luck" last year! At 49, she's in her prime. I will seek her out more now!
1. Natalie Cole: Unforgettable, indeed! She did it all, had us all in her hands, and we resonated as one. What a human, aesthetic, soulful and indescribably ecstatic experience this was! Nat on the side screen in B&W and Natalie in the flesh, together again...what more can I say?
The venue was extraordinary on the Field of Dreams, with a free open area full of many foods, drinks, other groups playing during the breaks. The Jazz and Song on the Plaza was fun at seven clubs, with groups and wine matchings Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Great! I only hope next year to see more Sonoma county performers in the small venues, and not just primarily Bay Area performers. Way to go, Sonoma!
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