Steely Dan at The Gorge(June 2000)
Rogue reporter, Mescelero Joe Clark went to cover the Steely Dan concert at the Gorge. Party on Joe!! Below is what we got from the AP wire service. We are still looking for Joe. If anyone has seen a man fitting Joe's discription in the ditches along I-90 between George and Seattle please let us know. Joe, where are you?
MAN DISRUPTS GORGE CONCERT
GEORGE (AP) - A Marysville, Washington man is being held in the Grant County Jail after going on a tirade, causing an unexpected 45 minute delay midway through Saturday night's Steely Dan concert at The Gorge.Joe Clark, 39, is being held on $25,000 bail after leaping on stage during the band's hit single "Cousin Dupree", tackling guitarist Walter Becker, and striking him on the head with a Boone's Farm wine bottle.
Police immediately moved in on the drunk, disorderly and portly Clark, handcuffing and pepper spraying him after a scuffle that lasted several minutes. During the confusion a portable keyboard and a trombone were destroyed as other band members took things into their own hands by bashing Clark with their instruments.
Clark, who first falsely identified himself as Gene Jonas from Centralia, Wash., explained his side of the story to police. "I guess I got a little cranky that the beer lines were so long", he lamented. "There's absolutely no excuse for an operation of this size to make their customers wait more than five minutes to reload their refreshments. I'm sorry I went a little berserk, I just thought it would be quicker to go ask the band if they had any cold ones backstage. You can't really blame a guy for that."
Becker sufferred a concussion along with seven stitches and was genuinely frightened by the event. "I was ready to go into the solo and the next thing I know this overweight shirtless guy with mustard smeared all over his chest is coming at me with a wine bottle. That's pretty much all I remember."
Clark was not injured and vows to return to the Gorge later on this summer. "I can hardly wait to catch The Who in August. It's gonna be great."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*The Allman Brothers Band, Seattle, Pier 62, 8/6/99
Hi Folks,
Well it's been thirty years since I have seen the Allman Brothers Band live. Right now I'm trying to figure out why that is. After being so impressed with my first live concert experience, why did I wait 30 years to see them again? I don't know, perhaps it was because I was afraid they could never live up to that first experience, and I didn't want to spoil that memory. Whatever the reason, I was an idiot for waiting so long to see them again!! They were absolutely fabulous. Mike and Christine arrived early and secured a spot on the floor, just right of center, about 15-20 yards from the stage. When we (Mark, Vicky, and myself) arrived I was ready for some liquid refreshments. To my dismay the beer gardens looked like a mosh pit!! No way! ABB took the stage. Greg Allman was his usual laid back self with the gravely voice and the sweet sounds of the Hammond organ, letting Dicky run the band. Dicky Betts was a pleasure to behold. Playing those oh so familiar ABB guitar licks, Elizabeth Reed, and was that Jessica I heard? The band has had many guitar slingers come and go. The new kid on the block is Derek Trucks, nephew of Butch Trucks I'm told, and he seems to fit the ABB like a glove. Layin' down the guitar harmonies with Betts and playin' some very tasty slide. I want to know how Derek does what he does without breathing and I'd love to know what Dicky said to him right before he slapped him on the ass and got him to smile. I hope Derek plans on playing with ABB for a long time. Butch Trucks was in firm control of the massive sounding percussion section. Bring back the drum solo!!! All in all it was a fine evening of music. I was happy to hear the ABB reach that musical pinnacle where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. When suddenly you realize their music has elevated you to a mystic plane unexplainable in earthly terms. After 30 years they did it to me again, and the weather couldn't help but cooperate. After threatening to rain all evening, the synenergy between the band and the audience kept the elements at bay, fearing to tread on such a positively pagan good time until the last chord was played, the last snare slammed. Then, turning to gather my friends and things, the lightning flashed, the rain moved in and Ma Nature treaded on us and good. I know, rain in Seattle? Go figure.
Favorite toonz...Statesboro Blues and Blue Sky. Favorite video clips...the pirate ships/surfer and Duane/Derek. My thanks to the ABB.
This has been a joint review by Dave, Vicky, Christine, Mark, and Michael.
*WINTHROP BLUES FESTIVAL (July 1999)
Hey Folks,
Just back from the Winthrop Blues Festival. As usual we had a great time. The setting is nice, along the Methow river with the mountains all around. Winthrop has a reputation for great power guitar bands, and this year was no exception. My personal favorite was "Seattle Slim". Hailing from Darringtion Washington these guys really ripped it up. I'm surprised I have never heard of them. From my perspective standing right in front of the stage, the band was tight, moving and powerful. A great tribute to Blues roots and a vision of the future of Blues in the Northwest. If you have a chance to see them, make sure you do. If you love, as I do, powerhouse three-piece blues bands, you won't be disappointed. I'm sure we'll be seeing more from "Seattle Slim". (I bought their CD. Standby for a review)
"Too Slim and the Taildraggers" gave their usual arousing performance. Another power house three piece. Great Blues guitar and some very fine slide work. "Too Slim" has been on the Winthrop lineup for 11 years, and I'm sure they'll be back. I highly recommend seeing them if you get the chance. Watch for them in Pioneer square.
Another great act was Jude Bowerman. Three piece, of course, kind of in the SRV vein. Jude did a nice tribute to SRV(Cold Shot) and Jimi Hendrix (Vodoo Chile).
The headliner on Saturday night was "The Fabulous Thunderbirds". Not so fabulous in this case. They didn't seem to be having much fun and it showed in their performance. The lesser known bands had much more energy and connection with audience. I'm sure they're a great band when they're on, but they were not on that night!
All in all it was a great weekend of music. We were celebrating Brother Michael's birthday, so that added the icing on the cake. Happy Birthday Mike. Other bands worth mentioning were "Smoking Gun", some nice ABB kind of guitar harmonies. "Swamp Momma Johnson", always a pleasure, and a group of young cats from Denver called "John Paul Johnson and the 3rd Degree". It's nice to see some young blood with their feet firmly in the Blues.
If you've never been to the Winthrop Blues Festival, your missing the boat. It's still small enough to get close to the bands, and yet attracts some great talent. Mark it on your calendar for next year. See ya there!! Dave.
COOL HAPPENINGS FOR 2000
