Robert's Review of Fleadh 97 New York at Fleadh Festival, 06/15/97

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I went to the Sunday Night New York Guinness Fleadh Festival to see Van Morrison, Richard Thompson, Wilco, Natalie Merchant and others. Check out the review of Van Morrison's great set.

The Fleadh festival was 2 days in New York City's Randalls Island (a small island augmented by land fill sitting between Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn) with the stadium almost underneath the Tri-Boro bridge. The festival was held for the first time in New York and is based upon a festival that has run in London the last few years. Its focus was on Ireland but most of the acts (the Neville Brothers?) had little to do with it. The producers wanted to draw a wide range of crowds - they were competing against an Ozziefest in New Jersey. But no complaints from me, some of the best music had nothing to do with Ireland.

The weather was a little hot in the sun and a little cold at night but otherwise perfect. Upon entrance you had to pass a rather boring Irish village with various trinkets and Irish sweatshirts for sale. Then came the food - there was corn beef and cabbage, something called an Irish breakfast, and of course Guinness. And mostly hot dogs, pitas, pizza, and ice cream. I understand that the Saturday night crowd overdid the Guinness and spoiled much of the show. However on Sunday the crowd was okay, only one incident that I saw.

There were three stages, Doc Martins was the smallest, the Village Voice sponsored the middle stage, and the main stage stood in front of a large stadium. The biggest complaint was that you needed to pay $10 for the program to find out when people were playing and at which stage - they didn't post any playing times (and they changed at least one from the listing in the program) - Very frustrating! The second complaint was the dust that rose between the stadium and the Voice stage - but better than a day of rain.

Richard Thompson played a short solo set at the Voice stage to thunderous applause. I think he was surprised but he shouldn't be, he is one of the great song writers and performers of our time. One of the few performers who could hold their own with Van Morrison. His songs included "Razor Dance", "The Ghost of You Who Walks", "From Galway to Graceland", "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", "Hamlet", "I Feel So Good", "Wall of Death", and "Dimming of the Day." Once again, an excellent set performed by Richard Thompson. But too brief and I did miss the band and his electric solos.

Wilco played their funky funny country punk music at the stadium in the late afternoon - earlier then they were listed in the program so I almost missed them. The crowd was small so maybe others did too - too bad. They played "Kingpin", "Monday", "I got you", "Outtamind", and "Forget the flowers." Wilco's music ranges freely from feedback to country licks with the most weirdest lyrics around. They play heartfelt songs with simple lyrics and structures and then twist them. A lot of fun and good music. How many people could sing "I want to be your Kingpin, living in Peiking" - slowly and make it sound great.

John Wesley Harding was a surprise - I had hear a song or two before but I went to see him because of reputation not because of what I heard. However, I was glad that I did - he was great. His has a great stage personality with witty and strong folk songs. Maybe I'll go back and pick up an album.

Natalie Merchant on the other hand was a little disappointing - the music of Tiger Lilly just doesn't carry as well in a stadium setting. Her stage performance was a little strained playing Elvis's "In the Ghetto" and dancing early sixty's style with her friends. I was also surprised that she didn't rate much attention from crowd - I thought she would have been a strong draw. I'm sure that she would be better appreciated in a more intimate setting.

Paula Cole danced around trying to be an entertainer and played piano and "No Cowboys." Not a stadium performer and... well there didn't seem to be much there at all.

Mary Black was okay but not much fire.

Billy Bragg did have fire, his songs - solo on electric guitar - were great and you have to admire the courage of someone trying to sell a crowd on socialism at a Guinness sponsored festival.

Suzanne Vega was good and well received, particularly her two hits. She also got to introduce her former math teacher who is now something like Manhattan borough president? Wow see what having a famous pupil can do for your career.

Moxy Fruvous was a four piece - highly energetic - band with some songs and a lot of comedy. This started as fun but was too much for me after a few songs.

De Dannan played traditional Celtic music with fiddle, hand drum, accordion, and oud. What little I heard sounded great.

R. B. Morris was very interesting. I would like to hear more. A songwriter with Knoxville roots and folk rock flavor.

Overall, the Fleadh festival was a long day with a lot of running from stage to stage. Next time, post the stage performances, wet the dirt down, put a limit on the number of beers, and make the Irish village more interesting. Keep Van Morrison & Richard Thompson and I'll be happy.



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