Dirk Powell Band at "On the Waterfront," Rockford, IL September 4, 2004
Struggling To Be Heard in Rockford
Labor Day weekend kicked off with an old-time performance by Dirk
Powell, Riley Baugus and the Foghorn Stringband as part of Rockford,
IL's On The Waterfront celebration. Spread out on a grassy courtyard on
the Rock River under a clear late summer sky you almost couldn't ask
for a better setting for this type of performance.
Almost.
While Powell, Baugus and Foghorn tore into songs like "Train On The
Island", "Old Joe Clark" and "Sugar Hill", the thump and thunder from a
nearby rock stage, located directly above and behind the band,
threatened to drown them out. It is a testament to these musicians that
they were able to deliver such a strong performance under the
circumstances. Given the situation, the sound from stage was actually
very good and the PA loud enough to cover the background noise during
most songs, although the band was clearly straining to be heard while
talking between songs.
Most readers are probably familiar with Dirk Powell, he has played the
area twice with Tim O'Brien and is also known for his work with the
Balfa Toujours. North Carolina native Riley Baugus plays clawhammer
banjo in the Round Peak style and records with Dirk Powell among
others. Foghorn Stringband come from Portland, Oregon and have just
released their second CD of traditional songs and tunes.
For a good portion of the show both Powell and Stephen Lind played
fiddle with mandolin player Caleb Klauder doubling the lead. Baugus
played a solid back up on banjo with Kevin Sandri and Brian Bogdonas on
guitar and string bass to fill out the groove. Vocals were shared among
most of the musicians although Powell sang the majority of the time
with Klauder or Baugus adding harmonies.
Midway through the set the members of Foghorn Stringband left the stage
and Powell and Baugus performed Sweet Sunny South as a duet. Powell
also played Reuben's Train on banjo and amid the constant rumbling from
behind, Baugus sang a powerful version of "Wandering Boy" as a solo
vocal number he learned from his "Granny Baugus" as a child.
When the 6 member band reconfigured on stage Powell related a story
about his work on the soundtrack to the film Cold Mountain. He and
Baugus recorded the tune "Shove That Pigs Foot A Little Further In The
Fire" and the film makers changed the title to "Ruby With The Eyes That
Sparkle". "That's what Hollywood can do for you", he deadpanned.
As they ran through their last song, Lonesome Road Blues, a fireworks
display began nearby with loud explosions randomly punctuating the
music. Each member sang a verse and you could see their amusement at
having to deal with this final distraction after playing an entire set
filled with distractions. When Powell sang his verse you could hear
that his voice had gone hoarse from singing and talking over the noise.
As with the rest of the show they played the song with abandon and
somehow ignored the fireworks enough to deliver one last song.
There is a chance that Foghorn Stringband will pass through Madison in
early 2005 and Fireball Mail readers would do well to catch their show. Their high energy delivery of fiddle tunes both common and obscure should appeal to both old-time and bluegrass fans alike.
--Pat Logeterman, Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective
