Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Squaw Valley Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest

This was a great weekend of music and outdoor activity in Lake Tahoe.
I jetted up there on sat morn and arrived in early afternoon.
Gone are the days when they staged music on the mountain at High campa ala Jerry in 1991 but the main stage set up in the courtyard of the new Squaw Valley village had tremendous upside. Numerous resturants surrounded the stage so you could eat outside and see and hear the music.Convienent Beer tents were located just off the courtyard. The selection was insane. I counted 30 breweries,New Belgium,Deschutes, Redhook,Lagunitas,Full sail,Red hook and a bunch of local outfits. The view was also impressive. Facing the stage to the left you had a commanding view of GS bowl and East face off KT-22 peak to the right Broken Arrow peak off the High Camp cable car.
I arrived in time to hear the end of Will Bernard's set. Folks were just arriving so he played to a relatively small crowd. Always great to hear his guitar and Rueban Blades on keys.
Next up was Karl Denson with his new band,Skyboy. I was psyched to hear this set since I had to miss the BBR show due to a conflict with PBS at 12 Galaxies the night before. I enjoyed the guitar playing of Benny D (Dominach)he brings a new sound to the band and he can shred! Karl of course had some incredable solos and the whole band was really tight.And who is the drummer? That cat had no hands.Unlike Greg Anton who has a prostetic hand this guy had just stumps, I was floored how he held his stix and drummed
Last up Porter-Batste-Stoltz. These guys bring the Funk power Trio sound to a whole never level. Stoltz even worked in a Pink Floyd cover of Us and Them.
It was real easy to hang in front of the stage, leave, grab a beer and come back. In between the main acts you could walk down the village to a smaller stage and hear some other bands. I liked the sound of Absynth, Moo-Got-2 & San Pablo Project.
After the show we hung out in the village, ate and hit some more music at the local pubs.(Moo-Got-2 performed again) I found a container full of drink tix that they were using for beer sales. Sure enough they were valid for the next day also! and I proceeded to leave them in the bathrooms and other convienent areas around the village.
On Sunday am I went on an awesome Mt.bike ride on some fire roads above Homewood with some commanding views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding peaks. Got over to the festival to hear Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave. His band was real young. I think the drummer was 19. It is great to see the NOLA funk torch passed on to the next generation.
Then PBS again. Never get tired of this band. The musical interaction of Porter and Stolz is scorcing.They closed the set with a funk version of Third Stone from the Sun
After the set I spoke with George and said it was only appropriate for them to cover other Power Trio bands like Cream. He said he wasn't familiar with them. I said "what"? told him to pick up a copy of Disraeli Gears and breakout Tales of the Brave Ulysses during the Jazz Fest. Too funny.
Ended the trip Monday am with a killer ride on the Tahoe Rim Trail from Barker Pass to Tahoe City. Not a soul on the trail. I couldn't believe it!
Post some photos later

I see that PBS is playing at the NedFest with Kimock this weekend WOW go to this!!

Oh I forgot to mention that the Festival was FREE
For you Santa Cruz locals PBS plays tonite @ Moe's Alley

Excellent review Walstib2!

What a lineup. . .

Looking forward to seeing your photos.

Jerry @ Squaw is one fond memory for me... what a place to hear 'n see a show... so high in the sky...

was it snowing @ Squaw? it's always snowing heavily there... damn place nearly ruined me after 2 seasons. Tahoe Truckee All-Stars are a serious crew, they see the sunrise regularly

a good friend started the Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest there, it's actually put on by the company that owns the Village, not Squaw Valley Ski Corp.

that 2-day Jerry run in '91 successfully ended any big concert from ever happening @ Squaw again. hippies camping in millionaire's backyards never works out to the hippies long-term benefit.

Squaw is awesome any time of year... did a hike in Shirley Canyon once and ended up in the middle of a butterfly migration, it was like being in a snowstorm except it was butterflies, and not a single one would hit you. amazing looking out across a mountainside and seeing tens of thousands of butterflies in the sky heading west.

missing the Sierra, KK