The Band Band

Nearly 38 years after the famed Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway, New York show 3 of the New York area’s best known cover bands got together to honor this historic show. The original was believed to have been the largest gathering of people in the history of the United States and on this hot summer day, July 28, 1973, an estimated 600,000 people bottlenecked the small country roads of upstate New York. People had to abandon their vehicles and were said to have walked between five and eight miles to reach the venue. The show only sold 150,000 tickets at $10 each which featured The Grateful Dead, The Band & The Allman Brothers Band. What was supposed to have been only one day of music turned into a two day event, starting a day earlier as sound checks turned into shows including an entire 2 set show from The Grateful Dead.

Unlike the original show the temperatures outside the BB King Blues Club in New York City this cold winter’s night was nearing the zero degree mark. The Band Band, Peach Project and Reflections were turning up the heat with their tribute to this infamous show. First to take the stage was The Band Band started the evening off with a rocking version of Up On Cripple Creek doing The Band proud. Highlights of the evening were W.S. Walcott Medicine Show, Makes No Difference, Don’t Do It and of course the crowd pleaser, The Weight. The band was very tight and with the many smiles and cheers from the crowd some very magical moments indeed.

Peach Project

Next to take the stage was the Peach Project and they made no bones about being there to prove they were going to make some serious music. These guys were on fire and as tight as a band could get. I honestly felt like I was at an Allman Brothers show. Some of the jams were simply stunning and there was seriously not one rocking soul in the place. Personal favorites were “Statesboro Blues,” “Come and Go Blues” and the purely magical jams of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Jessica.”

Reflections

Last, but certainly not least was Reflections breaking out with a “Shakedown Street” that simply put everyone on their feet and that is where everyone remained until the end of the show. Halfway into the set Ray Longchamp, from Peach Project joined them for “Cassidy” and “Brown-Eyed Women” which seemed to put some fire into these guys as they took these songs to heights I’m sure they’ve never taken them to before.

All in all this was a fun and memorable night in New York City and an excellent way to spend the evening. In spite of the fact the New York Jets/Pittsburgh Steelers championship game was on (and one could certainly hear the disgusted complaints of many a Jets fans as news of their loss trickled in) the place had a real nice crowd. These fine bands are going to do it again at the Warwick Valley Winery, Warwick, NY on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, be sure to not miss it as it is a worthwhile treat.

Set lists and Band Members:

The Band Band – Up On Cripple Creek, The Shape I’m In, Long Black Veil, This Wheel’s On Fire, We Can Talk, Jawbone, King Harvest (Has Surely
Come), I Shall Be Released, Across The Great Divide, Life Is A Carnival, W.S. Walcott Medicine Show, Stage Fright, The Night They Drove Old Dixie
Down, Chest Fever, It Makes No Difference, The Weight, Encore: Don’t Do It

Members: Gary Solomon on bass, drums, fiddle & vocals, Jack Kraft on keyboards, accordion & vocals, Vinny Nicosia on drums, guitar & vocals,
Mike Corbin on guitar & vocals, Josh Radin on guitar, mandolin, bass & vocals

Peach Project – Statesboro Blues, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More, Revival, Midnight Rider, Come and Go Blues, Southbound, Blue Sky, In Memory of
Elizabeth Reed, Soulshine, Good Clean Fun, Jessica, Whipping Post, Encore: Melissa

Members: Ray Longchamp in guitar, Gregg D. Hollister on bass guitar and vocals, Tom Hammer on keyboards and vocals, Jim Perrini on guitar & vocals, Glenn MacDermott on keyboards and vocals, Frank Colonnato on drums

Reflections – Shakedown > Bertha, Ship of Fools, Mr Charlie, They Love Each Other, Cassidy*, Brown-eyed Women*, Scarlet > Uncle John’s > Eyes of the World> Uncle John Reprise> Morning Dew> Franklins, Encore: Sing Me Back Home, Tore Up *with Ray from the Peach Project

Members: Bob Guerra on guitar and vocals, Paul Kates on keyboards and vocals, Lizzy Friel on vocals, Josh Kates on drums, John Cassano on bass guitar