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areuonsomething.com LJ: Last time I went to Coney Island was when we saw Phish at The Mets minor league stadium. RD: Yeah, so when we drove out to Brooklyn for Hippiefest we thought it was at the same venue. LJ: But it was not. It was in a park about eight blocks away. RD: We actually parked near it, but didn't know we did so we walked in the opposite direction to the ballpark and then all the way back. LJ: A lovely hot town summer in the city stroll maneuvering over debris and broken glass. Coney Island today is like a Springsteen song that didn't make the album. RD: It's a bit freakish and run down. We parked in the aquarium lot next to the Cyclone roller coaster. LJ: And we both needed a rest room because we were driving for over an hour and drinking bottled water. RD: Yeah, there was a lot of traffic and we decided to find the facilities because you never know what's going to be available at an outdoor gig. LJ: The closest one was in the funkiest amusement park on earth – Astroland. How would you describe Astroland? RD: Ok, if Disney World is the medley on the B-side of Abbey Road, Astroland is like listening to Slayer's Rein 'N Blood at top volume through a blown-out speaker. LJ: When you have the flu in August and the air conditioner is broken. We each had to pay a quarter to a woman who was guarding the entrance while sitting on a wooden stool. Imagine a Port-O-San as a trailer. RD: Later I thought that maybe it was a ride, like HorrorJohn or something. LJ: Anyway, we survived all that and got to the show. Somehow it didn't have that Monterey Pop vibe. RD: No, so explain what exactly is Hippiefest? LJ: It's a tour that's going all over the country with a cast of rotating artists including Mitch Ryder, Mountain, Joey Molland of Badfinger, and the artists we saw – The Turtles, The Zombies, Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, Denny Laine, Melanie, and Country Joe. RD: Melanie, Mountain, and Country Joe were at Woodstock, but all the rest had the majority of their success prior to the hippie days. So the title of the thing was not exactly correct. LJ: Yeah, it was just a branding thing, but nobody cared, it was a 60's music show. So anyway our good old buddy George Napolitano was there and he photographed the event and now we're going to see some of his photos and just say whatever pops into our pointed little heads. RD: Right, we thought you the readers would like to see what some of your favorites look like in 2007. LJ: Ok, first photo . . . The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie LJ: Flo & Eddie! I love them. Howie looks so serious in this shot. RD: Maybe he was thinking about HorrorJohn at Astroland. Anyway, they were great then and they are great now. LJ: Actually during the hippie era they were with The Mothers and they started this show with Peaches N Regalia. RD: Those who knew what it was loved it and those who didn't just grooved to it as a cool opener. LJ: They both looked great for 62-year-old dudes. RD: I liked Mark's Elvis shirt. LJ: Very cool and they sounded fantastic. They still have it. RD: They did Elenore, "you're my pride and joy etcetera." Great song, great line. LJ: They were the second best act of the night. Next . . . Rod Argent (The Zombies) RD: Ah, this is Rod Argent of The Zombies. LJ: And Argent, looking a little Charles Mansonish here. RD: Yeah, but he was just as intense on the keyboards – incredible musician. LJ: The Zombies stole the show. They were nothing short of sensational. Who knew? Colin Blunstone (The Zombies) LJ: Here's Colin from the same group. He looked super cool and he has a super unique and smooth vocal style. In fact he is a song stylist. RD: Magnetic stage presence. They did Tell Her No, She's Not There, Hold Your Head Up. LJ: Brilliant! They've only been back together for a couple of years. RD: Yeah, next time they come around doing a full concert I'll be there. They were the surprise of the evening, just great. LJ: Great! Denny Laine RD: Denny Laine from Wings and the early Moody Blues. LJ: He looks a little moody here. RD: Be nice. LJ: He sang lead on Go Now before he left the Moodys. That was a great record and it was a trip to hear him sing it live. RD: Agreed. Denny Laine singing Go Now in front of you. Who ever thought that would happen. It was a cool moment. LJ: The Wings material is best left to Paul. RD: Who, unfortunately wasn't in Brooklyn that night. LJ: That was a shame. Country Joe McDonald RD: Country Joe McDonald looked real good. LJ: He looked like one of The Beach Boys to me. RD: It was the shirt. Anyway, unlike most of the other performers he was in the true hippie spirit. He did some fine pickin' on an instrumental and then a new anti-Bush tune called Support The Troops. LJ: That song got to the crowd, some booed and some cheered. RD: Yeah, he connected with the audience. He was another surprise, not just some Wavy Gravy fish cheer novelty. He was very good. LJ: No disrespect to Wavy. RD: No, he's the first to admit he's a novelty. LJ: But Joe is a true anti-establishment folk rocker. It was refreshing to see that he was still true to his school. Felix Cavaliere RD: I was a huge Rascals fan, but this was a letdown. LJ: I know, it seemed like he never finished a song. He'd start one of his hits and then turn it into a medley of Motown tunes and stuff like that. That might work in a club, but not on a 60's hits show. RD: And the three young guys who were playing with him looked like they were playing in a college frat house. LJ: It was a far cry from Dino, Eddie, and Gene, in those knickers. RD: We love you Fe, but you gotta re-think this a little. LJ: It's obvious he's still got it, but he's got to turn it up a few notches. RD: In fairness, he followed The Zombies and The Turtles. He may do better opening the show when the audience is hungry and fresh. Melanie LJ: I don't know if I would be able to tell this was Melanie if I hadn't seen the show because she looks so different, but she looks great. RD: Yeah an earth mother type, which she always was really. LJ: The photo doesn't show her handsome son who played guitar along with her. RD: He was very good. LJ: The mother and child reunion, good for her. Sid Bernstein RD: 81-year-old Sid Bernstein. LJ: The man who brought The Beatles to America. It was great to see him again. RD: Still enjoying the music. I love it. LJ: Well all you need is love. RD: You really don't want that left in. LJ: Yeah, leave it in. RD: (laughs) Fine, you can have the last word. LJ: Zombies!!! |