The band (in alphabetical order): Antonio Alcorn (guitar, banjo, electric bass, mandolin, vocals); Chris Freeman (vocals, banjo, pump organ, guitar, electric bass); Erik Hischmann (drums, percussion, percussive bells, vocals); Max Shakun (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, pump organ, sound effects). This band plays a lot of instruments and I don't know what they're all called.

Stronger

Having seen Parsonsfield just two days ago at what is probably the best setting where I've ever seen them, I followed it up with seeing them in the worst setting yet.

The Vinegrass Music Festival in Truro, MA, toward the lower end of Cape Cod, purports to be a great outdoor festival for showcasing up and coming bands, some local, some from some distance away. But in reality it is a boozy excuse to drink wine, get rowdy, ignore the music, and annoy concertgoers who are trying to listen to the music. Considering that ticket prices ranged from $30 if you bought way early, to an expensive $45 on the day of the festival, this presentation was quite disappointing.

Part of the problem was that Parsonsfield were the headliner, meaning they were scheduled the last of five acts, and by this time everyone was either drunk or they had gotten tired of being there and had gone home. So our four musicians played a set of about one hour fifteen minutes to a handful of real fans and a scattering of inattentive festival goers.

I think Parsonsfield made a tactical error by featuring some of their ballads and slower songs. For a crowd like this, it ought to be rock 'n' roll all the way. Maybe they'll learn something from this less than optimal experience. Their performance, of course, was just as professional and excellent as ever. They included a handful of the new songs as well as assorted familiar older songs, but it just was not an atmosphere conducive to enjoying the music. At least the weather was nice.

Concert Going Partner and I got there in mid afternoon in time for a set by The Mammals, a five piece band featuring the duo formerly known as Mike & Ruthy. Ruthy sings and fiddles, Mike plays guitar and sings, and the other musicians played lap steel, drums, and bass. They were a little too country for my taste but were well received by the audience, who weren't yet especially drunk.

Vinegrass Festival
click thumbnail to see a photo gallery
of the concert