Roots On The River and Fred Eaglesmith

Roots On The River and Fred Eaglesmith's Musical Marathon

by Fern MacDonald
June 11, 2002

Editor's Note: It is important for the readers who don't know Fern personally to understand that she has been battling some serious illness in recent months and even years. She feels truly blessed that she was able to attend this festival, and all that were there felt blessed that she was there as well. She is a courageous, strong woman with a great attitude about life and how it should be lived.

Part I -- Bellows Falls Vermont, 2002 -- A Beginning

I can still see the silhouette of the Meeting House glistening in the sunlight. As our car climbed the steep, mini hill that lead right to our destination, I could feel hot tears streaming down my face, probably warmed by the sun. I had made it! It was another Sunday morning at the historical Rockingham Meeting House. So many times, over the past three difficult months, I had doubted I would ever lay eyes on this place again. Of all the events that happen during the Bellows Falls Fredhead weekend, this was my VERY favorite. It would be a special day for me, a day filled with the music that had healed my soul and body, while all else seemed to fail. When I close my eyes, even now, I can still see them standing in front of that high-rise
pulpit -- Skip, Dan, Willie, Fred, Darcy, Roger and Hank, their voices and harmonies close to perfection, their faces like old friends you have known for a lifetime. It was glorious, like the beauty of the surrounding Vermont landscape, the smell of spring or Fred Eaglesmith's music. This must be what heaven is like I remember thinking, as I looked around at an audience filled with many people that I love and respect. As they watched and listened with
delight and joy while Fred and his band performed a truly acoustic set of Eaglesmith gems, I knew that there wasn't another place in the entire world that I would rather be. But, this is almost the end of Bellows Falls 2002 and I need to begin at the beginning.

Nothing can stop me now, I thought, as we rounded the corner and turned into the huge parking lot in front of the Rockingham Motor Lodge. I had waited for this moment for months. Many times I thought the day would never come or more than likely, it would happen without me being there. I couldn't wait to see those crazy Fredheads again. I had visited with Dana and Andy the day before but it was even more wonderful to meet up with them in Vermont. I went right into the lobby that led to Rick's, the site of the first Fredhead
venue. After hugging and kissing way too many folks, I was ready for one rocking evening. And rock the house they did. After a wonderful set by Mark Erelli and his band, Fred and the guys came out at full throttle! The place was wall to wall humanity and since Rick's is not a gigantic bar, it was just plain HOT. Even the room temperature was no match for Fred and the band. They just plain smoked. They were on fire, all righty, and by the time Fred and
the boys performed the rockin' version of "Seven Shells," I thought the joint would go completely up in flames! This, ladies and gents, was one of the best "kick ass" sets that I have ever seen Fred and the guys do!

I had been up front for the first few songs but was unable to stand any longer. I went back to my seat at the back of the venue. Needless to say, I couldn't see a thing. Disappointment kicked in but only for a second. As Fred broke into the opening strains of "Mighty Big Car," Renee the Hat Lady appeared from nowhere. "Do you want to sit and see at the same time or not?" You know my answer. "Well, follow me!" she yelled. And with that, Hat grabbed
my chair and kept yelling. "Comin' through. The lady needs to sit." You should have seen the looks on people faces. Sure enough, there I was left center, almost up front, watching the action. By the time Fred did a double piggyback version of "Seven Shells," first slow and then revved to the max, I was jumping in my seat! I've never seen him do this before and apparently, neither had most of the audience. They went completely wild, at this point. The energy was out of control and man, did "our" boys rock the house. The guys were obviously as pumped up for this special weekend as the Fredhead crowd.

Fern MacDonald

Here's that Set List w/ a few comments:
Indiana Road
Carmelita
Dancin' On The Bar -- Fred forgot a verse and sang that jokingly as part of the song.
I Wanna Buy Your Truck
Freight Train
Rev It Up
Soft On My Shoulder
You Can't Dance Like That (Charlene)
Mighty Big Car
Alternator
Rodeo Boy
Sand In The Gears
105
Seven Shells -- the slow version
Seven Shells -- the rock the rafters version
(a raunchy and hysterically funny Walpole Inn story that only Fred himself can tell)
Spookin' The Horses
I Ain't Ever Givin' In
Your Sister Cried -- first time hearin' it live. Magnificent lap steel and mandolin!
49 Tons

1st Encore:
When the Bandages Come Off - very kind mention of Steve LaSala and I making the weekend

2nd Encore/Fred Solo:
Me and Ester
Steam
The Rocket -- a poignant and moving song, done with extreme emotion
How's Ernie?
Bob's Dog and Burgs -- in Europe, the song is about birds, according to Fred, that is!

Click here to read Part II of this review

Click here to read Part III of this review

Click here to read Part IV of this review

View pics of this event!

Texicana Music Central is proud to have Fern MacDonald as a feature writer for MissLana.com. Fern lives in Connecticut and has written reviews for other publications as well as worked closely with many well known bands. We are honored to have her write for us, and I am honored to have met her at this Fred Eaglesmith weekend.