This gig could have gone either way for me. The crowd, with the exception of some kids at the front (late teens you understand) might well have been at some clandestine religious convention. But it soon became apparent that after 35 or more years after Woodstock, Joe has only mellowed enough to take on board the current political problems in the states. Not so much a card carrying politico as a fine musician showing his concern. And while the crowd were on his side from the word go, he still delivered enough fire and thought provoking songs and comments to sway the uncomitted .
Apparently Joe was recently awarded a symbol of peace award by the city of San Franciso, only to never receive it in the first place (post ceremony or otherwise) because some politicians there, thought his songs too political!!
So with this in mind, and given his “Fixing To Die Rag”/Woodstock history, and radical political background, it was good to report that Joe is a man with a keen sense of humour, a touch of irony, and even a sense of understatement, though he’s not afraid to swear like a trooper to reinforce a point.
Things started affably enough with guest Greg Trooper, but then Joe’s intro, delivered by what looked like an aging biker (apparently Joe’s MD!!, er an MD for a solo act?? Don’t ask) was suitably naff enough, along the lines of “Give me a J” etc, to make you worry about what was to come.
But no, Joe proved to be an affable, laid back trouper, who slouched on, took his time to tune up, and then went straight into the meat of his song book, notably “Sweet Lorraine”, the McDonald penned, Twiggy hit, “Here I Go Again”, and a passable reading of the staple instrumental “Sector 453”.
Joe placed his famed political angst in the context of the current Iraq conflict, but never overstated his point, or dragged things out. He is an entertaining raconteur, with the same edgy voice that so memorably sang for a generation in the late 60’s.
The humour extended to comments about the Mexican Canteen ambience, and imaginary bullet holes, and the songs flowed about dope, freedom, busts, etc etc. Armed with little more than an acoustic guitar with a lovely tone, and some flanging type of echo, Joe proved to be a potent mix, worthy of his enduring reputation, and droll with it. Yes droll is the world, and certainly never dull.
Pete Feenstra