Ain't no Fakin'!
Bear Creek Brings the Funk
The 7th Annual Bear
Creek Music and Arts Festival may have proved to be
the funkiest yet! For four days in November the
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park turned into funk
central as some of the hottest bands in the country had
even the gracefully hanging Spanish moss of the
towering trees grooving. Funky family populated the
campgrounds at what is arguably one of the best music
festival venues in the country, as the mothership of
dance music landed in Live Oak, Florida. Notoriously one
of the coldest outdoor festivals, referred to as “Brrrr
Creek,” being the last of an extended season, this year
we were in for a treat as the cold waned and practically
warmed to shorts weather as the weekend progressed.
Being greeted by friendly, competent staff at the gates
and cool cats ready to get their funk on, set the mood
for the weekend: Love, laughter, and nitty-gritty
booty-shaking rhythms.
The festivities kicked off
Wednesday with a pre-festival party. In the spirit of
the festival, it was also a celebration of Shelley
Allegretto’s life, benefitting her children and
husband, Michael Allegretto, production manager of Bear
Creek. The pre-party featured Toubab Krewe,
The Revivalists and the New Mastersounds.
Most funksters began arriving
Thursday, quickly setting up camp with many hustling to
the festival grounds to get their official Bear Creek
poster signed by artist and photographer Rex Thompson
whose groovy artwork was chosen from more than thirty
submissions. The festival has no shortage of artists
and vendors, with an artist’s pavilion, a Craft Village,
a “shakedown street” and several roving artists.
Painters’ easels and palettes could be found at all the
stages working in different mediums, but this was the
first time I had seen an artist carving and painting
Styrofoam over a garbage bin. What a beautiful way to
recycle and in keeping with the festival’s Greening and
Recycling Program that began two years ago and continues
to grow, with recycling bins now located throughout the
campgrounds as well as the festival grounds. The fans,
too, are part of the artistry of Bear Creek. Skilled in
creative costume design and outlandish outfitting, you
can find yourself dancing next to a fish one minute and
a wonderful wizard the next!
Friday night’s “Warm and Fuzzy: Get
Your Inner Animal On” theme is a favorite, with everyone
wearing animal hats or even full mascot-like costumes:
lions and pandas and badgers all bobbing their heads to
the funky rhythms. Of course, my favorite bears were
the dancing bear and those doused in tie-dye. A visual
testament to the kinship of funksters and hippies!
Saturday night’s theme was chosen by Bootsy Collins:
“Space is the Place … Sun Ra Afro Power Freak Dance
Royal Funk”! The crowd transported me back to the 70s
with their go-go boots and colored Afros. No one
outshone Bootsy himself though, in his blue sequined tux
and top hat!
Thursday’s rage for me included The
Motet, Kung Fu, The New Mastersounds and Space Capone.
The Motet hit the stage with incredible energy
diving right into a song from their forthcoming album
“Knock it Down” and also included several covers
including the Gap Band’s “Shake,” Prince’s “DMSR” and
D-Funk’s “Back in Love.” Wanting to see The Motet for
some time, their vibrant, dance-fusion got me fired up
for the rest of the weekend. Kung Fu delivered
two amazing sets. I first saw them last year at Bear
Creek and have been a huge fan since. They opened with
a super-hot “Samurai” and the set included Bill Wither’s
“Kissing My Love.” But it was their jaw dropping
“Bringing Up the Rear” and mind blowing take on Van
Halen’s “Eruption” and “Drop Dead Legs” that made this
set a standout, and I was glad I had wiggled my way to
the rail for it to watch the lightning fast fingers of
guitarist Tim Palmieri and catch the curveballs
bassist Chris DeAngelis kept throwing at him. I
even hung out for a few minutes after to see if I could
catch a set list and perhaps meet saxophonist Rob
Somerville. I did not get a set list but I did get
to witness the musicians after they left the stage. It
was like they hit a homerun with hugs and high-fives all
around! The New Mastersounds took to the
Amphitheater stage for their second of three BC sets,
being introduced as family since they have played all
seven Bear Creek festivals at SOSMP. They transition
from cool grooves to jazzy riffs to dirty funk with ease
and this set was further sparked by talents of Khris
Royal on sax on “Pure” and “102”.
Outside the Music Hall I was
already bopping to the R&B beats of Space Capone
and entered into a party in full swing as his falsetto
voice sang “We like to Party!” Reminiscent of 80s
Disco/R&B I was transported back to my youth when he
burst into Rick James’ “Give it to me Baby” which
featured a sit-in from artist-at- large The Motet’s
Joey Porter. I saw Khris Royal and steel
pedal/ slide guitar extraordinaire Roosevelt Collier
too, and was told they also sat in.
Bear Creek is known for its
funktastic lineups but it is also known for its
artists-at-large, this year boasting 20 exceptional
musicians including Skerik, Chali 2’Na, Natalie
Cressman, Jans Ingber, Freekbass, Zach Deputy and
George Porter Jr. It was Joey Porter, Khris
Royal and especially Roosevelt Collier who
saw the most sit-ins. I wonder if Rosie broke a new
record. This Bear Creek he sat in on 19 sets including
his own! It would be easier to list the bands he did
not play with. And each time he arrived on stage, the
crowd went crazy with delight and with good cause.
There doesn’t seem to be anything he can’t play nor any
particular band’s style he can’t adapt to whether it’s
gospel, jazz, electro-disco or searing rock.
Friday started for me at the camp
where I could hear Brownout ….was that Skerik
playing? Yes it was! Wait, that sounds like David
Shaw of the Revivalists doing “Heart of Steel”? It
was time to get it together and go get funkified.
Friday was jam packed and I found myself running from
set to set: The Revivalists giving an early, yet
unbelievably energetic, performance that included the
BeeGees’ “To Love Somebody” and sit-ins from
percussionist Mike Dillon and Roosevelt
Collier. Lee Fields and the Expressions
brought the love with his soulful voice especially on
“Wish You Were Here,” a song that he said was
extra-special to him and the lovers in the crowd
agreed. The Werks took the Purple Hat stage in
the large meadow where I got my rock fix (and from
where I did not want to leave!) that continued when I
made it back to the Porch Stage in time for the
Monophonics killing it, and everyone singing along
on Funkadelic’s “I Got a Thing”. One of my super funky
friend’s favorite bands, I got a quick schooling,
especially when they launched into “High Off Your Love”!
These guys really represent.
The sun set and Antibalas
took the Amphitheater stage. I was unprepared. Listen
to their music… watch them on Letterman… it is
nothing compared to the live experience with which this
multi-ethnic fusion of vivacious musicians enthralls its
audience. Friday night continued with sets from The
Motet, Zach Deputy, Galactic, Kung Fu, Karl Denson’s
Tiny Universe and Bonobo. Something magical
seems to happen to Galactic at SOSMP and this set
proved no different. Everyone seemed to be buzzing
about vocalist Maggie Koerner who has joined the
Galactic family for their winter tour. David Shaw
also joined in on this set wowing the crowd with “When
the Levee Breaks” and Chali 2na joined the band
on “From the Corner to the Block.” But it was “Boe
Money,” with in-your-face solos from Stanton Moore,
Skerik and Roosevelt Collier, that had the
crowd screaming. Kung Fu’s set in the Music Hall
seemed to pick up where they left off the night before.
When Rosie joined them on stage, I thought, first, what
he just did following Skerik was nothing short of
incomprehensible to musical mortals. Skerik was that
hot! Then I thought, could he possibly top that here? He
blew everyone away! Even the band was shaking their
heads in disbelief! Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
was one of the highlights of the weekend with Zach
Deputy sitting in for a set that was a tribute to
Ray Charles which included “My Baby,” “Bougainvillea”
with George Porter Jr., “Ring of Fire,” “ Unchain
My Heart” and “Seven Nation Army.” Bonobo,
another favorite set of the festival, closed out the
main stages taking the audience to Zen-like states while
those still wanting to shake their booties headed to
Robert Walters 20th Congress and the
Silent Discos.
Saturday saw some of the most
memorable sets. First was George Porter Jr. and
Runnin’ Pardners. I love George and I don’t try to
hide it. His joy pours out of every funky note he plays
and spills over to the audience. Khris Royal
joining the band gave a distinctive flair to songs like
“Just Kissed My Baby,” “He Bite Me (the Dragon)” a
sit-in from Roosevelt had Porter egging on some play
with guitarist Brint Anderson, and drummer
Terrence Houston held a t-shirt that read: “George
Porter Jr. is a Bad Motherf**cker on Bass” that he then
threw over his head and threw down and played a crazy
solo basically blindfolded. Then there was the Mike
Dillon Band. Not only is Dillon an incredible
percussionist, performer, and hilarious guy, the
trombone player, Carly Meyers, had the Porch
Stage ablaze. And no one who saw this show will forget
their dueling xylophones as they tossed their mallets
back and forth or “I Saw George Porter Playing Punk Rock
on the Jam Cruise Pool Deck” or Iggy and the Stooges’
“1969.” But the highlights of the weekend were still to
come. Bootsy Collins and the Funky Unity Band!
Some people came to the festival just to see Bootsy; and
who can blame them for not wanting to miss this
legendary bass player from James Brown’s Band and
Parliament Funkadelic. His band hit the stage first in
white spacesuits. The Mothership had officially landed
now! Then Bootsy came out in his head to toe sparkling
blue tuxedo, his star shaped sun glasses and that white
star shaped L.E.D. bass with neon green strings and
began to lay down that
getting-down-moving-grooving-love-pulse sending the
crowd to that ultimate high. The set included classics
like “Dr. Funkenstein” and “Mothership Connection” and
to everyone’s delight, Bernie Worrell, the
original keyboardist of P-Funk, sat in.
The Roots followed Bootsy in
the Amphitheater. Who could follow that extravaganza?
The Roots. I’ve seen them before and not just on TV.
Always liked them, but never have I heard a set like
this. I’m sure some of the SOSMP magic was at work.
Whatever it was, this is the set everyone seemed to have
on the top of their list. Introduced by Bee Getz of
Jambase, the Roots seized the stage and galvanized the
already exhilarated crowd. These cats were in the
pocket the whole set which was really like one long jam
especially the medley of “Sweet Child of Mine>Bad to the
Bone>Who Do You Love>You Got Me>Immigrant Song>Welcome
to Jam Rock>You Got Me>Apache.” Everyone was digging
“Get Busy>Jungle Boogie”! I danced so hard I almost
fell off my boots!
Making my way back to the Purple
Hat Stage for Karl Denson’s second set I realized how
much my legs were beginning to hurt from getting down
for days on end. I sat for most of the set but that had
nothing to do with the music. Truth be told, I much
preferred this smoking hot set with sit-ins from
George Porter Jr, Skerik, Roosevelt Collier, Eddie
Roberts, Wil Blades, and more. I think they were
just getting warmed up for the SuperJam. Saturday night
would come to an end for me with the Bear Creek All
Stars ft. Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce and “Special Guest.”
Special Guest? Um? Like almost everyone? Although the
set contained familiar funk grooves like “Dr.
Funkenstein,” this really was one extensive jam. Every
time I looked at the stage, because now I was back to
dancing, there was someone new, but the musicians did it
so seamlessly and if you weren’t paying attention, you
missed it. Ivan Neville was on keys but then I
looked again and it was Nigel Hall. Tony Hall
is on bass. Wait, no, it’s George Porter Jr. I
did keep my eye on Dumpstaphunk drummer Nikki Glaspie.
Is she still there? I think she is one of my new
heroes!
Sunday had a full day of music, but
with no bands overlapping and the five stages cut down
to two. I could give my aching legs a bit of a break.
After packing up camp, I would have to miss the final
bands, including Lettuce. I made my way to the festival
grounds in time for church! Jennifer Hartswick Band
was playing at the Porch Stage and she started right off
with those powerful vocals with Janis Joplin’s “Piece of
My Heart” or so I thought. She was only warming up! She
really had everyone mesmerized and just trying to take
it all in for her whole set. And when George Porter
Jr. came on stage it was pure magic. I don’t think
I’ve ever seen him having so much fun! And talk about
church. Taking us back to one of the few places true
funk is heard regularly was Roosevelt Collier and
Nigel Hall’s Gospel Surprise which included Nikki
Glaspie, Nick Cassarino, Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie
Cressman, James Casey, and Alecia Chakour.
They had everyone’s spirits soaring as they reminded the
crowd where the power of music comes from and what the
power of music can do. Bear Creek had yet another
successfully funky festival in 2013; we’ll wait and see
what 2014 will bring!
Written by: Shari Hartmann
Photos by: Joey Pye and Bear Creek
house photographer Rex Thomson
Edited by: Rosemary A.W. Roberts
