The Festival...
Full of sweet rebellion and always on the cutting edge, the Newport Folk Festival has earned its reputation as a cultural icon while standing firmly on its liberal threshold. Founded in 1959, by jazz pianist and musical entrepreneur, George Wein, the Newport Folk Festival was born in a time of war and civil unrest. The festival introduced the world to the likes of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Odetta, Pete Seeger, and Mavis Staples and gave voice to a musical movement that would greatly influence and empower a generation and the generations that followed.
The Man...
George Wein is a man of great vision with a keen sense for talent and business know-how. He is, hands down, a pioneer in the music industry. In addition to founding both the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, George Wein was one of the first in the country to start organizing and obtaining sponsorships for large scale music festivals and events which, ultimately, has had tremendous impact on the way we experience and are introduced to new music today. After the Newport Folk Festival fell into financial dismay and was forced to close its doors in 1971, Wein was on the forefront of one of the biggest festival comebacks ever. By changing the festivals business model from that of a non-profit organization to a for profit organization, The Newport Folk Festival was resurrected in 1985 and remains one of the longest running American music festivals to date.
The Rumors...
Of course one can’t write an article about the Newport Folk Festival without talking about the Dylan Goes Electric Controversy. On July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan shook the folk community after he allegedly and without prior announcement plugged in his electric guitar before a live audience for the first time ever in his career. Bursting into an angsty rendition of Maggie’s Farm, “ I try my best to be just like I am, but everybody wants you to be just like them. They sing while you slave and I just get bored. I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more," he sings. Rumor has it that Dylan was booed off the stage and that an outraged Pete Seeger threatened to take an ax to the sound system's power supply. However, according to Levon Jackson, one of George Wein's close friends and longtime festival affiliates, some say Bob Dylan never even plugged in at all! "This is how legends are made”, he laughs. He went on to say that Bob Dylan had just released his first electric album which greatly disappointed the folk community as they now considered Dylan a "sellout." Though it’s unclear what really did happen that night, one thing is for certain: Dylan had a lot to say and manager, Al Grossman, knew just how to turn up the volume to make sure Dylan was heard. In doing so, Dylan gained the attention of a younger population that would thrust his career forward and inspire many to follow.
The Place...
The Newport Folk Festival takes place every summer at historic Fort Adams at the Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Built in 1799 to defend the Narragansett Bay's East Passage, Fort Adams is in itself, an amazing piece of architecture to be admired. Next to Fort Monroe, in Hampton, Virginia, Fort Adams is the second largest bastioned fort in the United States. During non-festival events, guided tours are available that take you through the casements and tunneling systems that once housed our soldiers. You can even climb the bastions and soak in nautical vistas of sailing ships and boats along the Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
The Experience...
Looking out from the main-stage on a clear and sunny day, the ocean meets the sky as stray clouds scatter and roll over a colorful quilt of blankets and chairs. Sailboats on the Newport Harbor make for a breathtaking backdrop as festival goers of all ages congregate on the lawn with picnic baskets filled with cheeses, grapes and other good things to eat. There's no ruckus here.The atmosphere is laid back and harmonious as adults and parents kick back in their lawn chairs, relaxing. Girls skip about in floppy hats and big sunglasses while the boys toss Frisbees on sought out patches of green grass. The smell of salt water permeates the air and soothes the senses. Smiles glisten in what is a happy and playful crowd.Tents and canopies are set up along the perimeters of the grounds where local business and crafters from in and around New England sell a unique variety of handmade crafts and wares. There is plenty of great food to be had from local vendors, radio stations broadcasting the event live, and environmental and social activists who've set up booths to promote awareness for their causes. There's a unifying vibe that makes one feel as though they are a part of one big community reaching out to help one another for the better good of New England and New Englanders. You can't get anymore folksy feeling than that. In a nutshell, The Newport Folk Festival puts the "folk" in folk festival.
The Music...
Of course, when all is said and done, it's really all about the music. Festivals are a way of bringing people of all ages together who share a common love and appreciation for music. In addition, festivals create new audiences for performers and musicians who's music many listeners might not have had the opportunity to experience. Festivals are not about political views or specific genres, rather they are about the people, the music, and breaking artistic boundaries to explore new ideas.The Newport Folk Festival is the epitome of this very concept. Coupling the old with the new, the Newport Folk Festival reacquaints and introduces us to music legends and those musicians just starting while providing the audience with generous blends of Country, Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Folk.
Festival 2010...
I feel it necessary to say that I don't consider myself to be a music critic of any kind and my intention in writing this article was not to provide you with a review of the festival, but rather a little bit of history and a sense of what it's like to be at the Newport Folk Festival. Therefore, the following is the account of my experience from a music lover's point of view.
This was my first time attending the Newport Folk Festival. As part of the media I was given backstage access and the opportunity to meet many musicians and all sorts of really interesting people...another "first" for me! For a music buff like myself, the experience was nothing short of surreal. I am forever grateful to Carolyn McClair for taking me under her wing and getting me involved in this truly remarkable event. You are a fabulous woman, Carolyn!!! Thank you!!!
The festival kicked off Friday night with a special performance by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Saturday and Sunday's events took place on three different stages at Fort Adams State Park. From the moment I stepped off the water taxi, I was consumed by the wildly sporadic brass and beat of Providence's own, What Cheer? Brigade. Dressed in black with painted faces and mohawks, they stomped amongst the festival grounds entertaining the crowd with surprise performances throughout the day. Their sheer passion and enthusiasm set the grade for the entire weekend. Founder, George Wein, tooled around in his golf cart tagged the "Wein Machine" looking dapper in his pastel golfer's cap and making appearances at each performance. I must say, this guy certainly knows how to pick 'em as the line-up was incredible with a diverse blend of artists, genres, and instruments! There were legendary greats such has folk heroes, John Prine and Richie Havens as well as the flatpicking, bluegrass singer/songwriter, Mr. Doc Watson. Newcomers David Wax Museum, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three gave spectacular performances and all received enthusiastic welcomes. Sounds of brass filled the air with riveting performances by the ever soulful Sharon Jones and the Daps Kings, the southwestern Portuguese mix of Calexico, and as a special treat, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans. The talented Andrew Bird whistled and entertained the crowd with his phenomenal fiddle impromptus and Brandi Carlile got the crowd clapping with a rocking country rendition of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison in which cello player, Josh Neumann broke out into a hairsplitting solo. There were remarkable harmonies from Dawes, thought provoking lyrics from Liz Longley, and an intriguing performance by April Smith and the Great Picture Show! ...and that's only the half of it!!! For more information and complete coverage of Newport Folk Festival 2010, visit NPR. Meanwhile, I can't wait to see what next year brings...!!! Stay Tuned!!!
In Closing...
I was able to catch up with singer/musician Tao Rodriguiz Seeger who also happens to be the grandson of Newport Folk's alumni and folk icon, Pete Seeger. Here, Tao beautifully sums up the meaning and impact of folk festivals today:
"It's about the music. People want to have music touch them...funny songs, serious songs, sad songs, political songs. It's about bringing people together with different mind sets, different political ideologies, different sexual preferences, age groups, and racial identities. Everyone can come together at a folk festival and feel like we are one. And that's when I feel music is really at it's best...when it's unifying humanity. Monkey's don't do it. Though we may have evolved from them, this is our way of expressing our unified self."
** Newport Folk Festival's staff photoghrapher, Doug Mason will be sending us some updated photos soon!!! Thanks Doug!!!
Written By : Jessica Layne
Let us help promote your business with a story ABOUT YOU! For more information, visit our Advertising and Promotions page. To stay up to date on our latest stories and information around New England, visit our home page at www.allthingsnewengland.com, follow us on Twitter or become a fan on our Facebook page. Thanks for reading!
