FARM AID THOUGHTS by Lorraine @ suitelorraine.com

Farm Aid 2000 Site Review

photo by Buzz Person ©

Over the years, I have followed the saga of FARM AID, but never went to the actual event.

This year was ripe for a visit from me though; with the prospect of a double dose of fun;
with Neil & CSNY

We were christened with a bright, crisp, deliteful day to spend outdoors. Though it was a long day, it actually flew by with the music and good company.

The first act I caught was Arlo Guthrie. Seeing him live, always inspires me. He has a wonderful presence and though he did a short set, it was impassioned none-the-less. My buddy Lynn Cohen informed me later that she spied Stephen Stills at the side of the stage, enjoying Arlo's performance.

Bare Naked Ladies are a group of good musicians, with a tongue-in-cheek approach to their live performance. The crowd was on their feet dancing and many sang along during the whole segment. I enjoyed their set.

Neil was excellent. At past FARM AID's he usually plays an acoustic set, jams with some other acts during the day and has Willie join him on guitar. But this time round Neil, who has been on tour for over the past month, brought out his full show and essentially performed with the gang a portion of the show that he has been doing for his self-entitled "Music In Head" tour. His inspired performance, was interspersed with his pleas to the television viewers to make a donation to FARM AID. I thought his pitch this year was much more coherent than other years and well thought out. He wouldn't let anyone forget what we gathered here to do, but in turn played a set that was uplifting.

SETLIST:
*Daddy Went a Walking
*Hank to Hendrix
*Powderfinger
*Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
(FANTASTIC to hear this one... a highlight for Lorraine!!!!)
*Motorcycle Mama
(Always loved this funky groove.. so cool to hear live...) (During this one I noticed Neil's eternal manager and friend Elliot Roberts watch the set from the side of the stage)
*Cowgirl in the Sand
(ELECTRIC... on fire ... wonderful.. this is where Stills should have come out and jammed. This was a missed opportunity. Ya know.. this one coulda, shoulda been a staple of the csny tour.
They could play the hell out of it electric...)

Next up was Mellencamp. His performance was also different than in past years at FARM AID. He came out acoustic and did a brief set. I was surprised that he did not talk to the audience about the cause we gathered for that day. None-the-less I enjoyed seeing his performance.

Then appeared in his full rainbow regalia, and we knew what time it was ....

The guys came out the box kicking with a fiery version of
*Love the One You're With
You know if they pull off a good version of that tune, it's an indicator of an excellent set.

Next up:
*Marrakesh Express
*Helpless
(Great electric version, and during the csny 2000 tour, it was rarely performed. A gem.)
*Helplessly Hoping
*Our House
*Almost Cut My Hair
(Excellent Stills jam, bouncing is mandatory....)
*Cinnamon Girl
(Crank it up! Always a crowd pleaser.)

Neil made more monetary pleas during the set... Stephen pitched for the cause and made a funny about how Neil was talking more today that during the whole csny 2000 tour.

I have always felt that television never captures the true essence of a CSN performance.
But there is nothing like a live dose of the 4 founders.
I was gleeful to be there to witness another meeting of the minds....

After CSNY's set, the show moved along at a fast pace.
The broadcast was behind time, so Willie's initial set was jam packed with fast favorites... seguing into one another.

Next thing you know the finale is here for the camera's and CSNY along with Willie, some Native American singers, and a host of other musicians came out and did a rendition of "Amazing Grace".
Graham stood right next to Willie, (Willie & Willie) and sang along.
When the song was over Stephen stayed on stage and shook Willie's hand.
I guess he thanked him and congratulated him on another outstanding day and effort.
That was my last CSNY related visual for the day, and a fitting one at that.

One of the best parts (besides the obvious), came actually after the camera's were off,
when Willie came back and played for atleast another hour. I love Willie, I think he is a class act, who really tries to make a difference. He has a charismatic stage presence and really knows how to work the crowd...
both the men and the woman vie for his attention. All throughout this added treat, Willie sang his heart out and waved directly at fans and blew kisses.... his band kept rolling along with whatever hits Willie chose to run through. All an all an excellent day.

I am thankful for such a full day of music, good friends and a great cause

Thanks everybody!!!!

Special thanks to Ramiro for the beautiful web design!

Chani and Montse from Spain photo by Lorraine ©

Lorraine and Lynn
photo by Buzz Person ©

My road buddy, Buzz Person
photo by Lorraine©


Farm Aid 2000 Site Review photo by Buzz Person © Over the years, I have followed the saga of FARM AID, but never went to the actual event. This year was ripe for a visit from me though; with the prospect of a double dose of fun; with Neil & CSNY We were christened with a bright, crisp, deliteful day to spend outdoors. Though it was a long day, it actually flew by with the music and good company. The first act I caught was Arlo Guthrie. Seeing him live, always inspires me. He has a wonderful presence and though he did a short set, it was impassioned none-the-less. My buddy Lynn Cohen informed me later that she spied Stephen Stills at the side of the stage, enjoying Arlo's performance. Bare Naked Ladies are a group of good musicians, with a tongue-in-cheek approach to their live performance. The crowd was on their feet dancing and many sang along during the whole segment. I enjoyed their set. Neil was excellent. At past FARM AID's he usually plays an acoustic set, jams with some other acts during the day and has Willie join him on guitar. But this time round Neil, who has been on tour for over the past month, brought out his full show and essentially performed with the gang a portion of the show that he has been doing for his self-entitled "Music In Head" tour. His inspired performance, was interspersed with his pleas to the television viewers to make a donation to FARM AID. I thought his pitch this year was much more coherent than other years and well thought out. He wouldn't let anyone forget what we gathered here to do, but in turn played a set that was uplifting. SETLIST: Daddy Went a Walking Hank to Hendrix Powderfinger Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (FANTASTIC to hear this one... a highlight for Lorraine!!!!) *Motorcycle Mama (Always loved this funky groove.. so cool to hear live...) (During this one I noticed Neil's eternal manager and friend Elliot Roberts watch the set from the side of the stage) *Cowgirl in the Sand (ELECTRIC... on fire ... wonderful.. this is where Stills should have come out and jammed. This was a missed opportunity. Ya know.. this one coulda, shoulda been a staple of the csny tour. They could play the hell out of it electric...) Next up was Mellencamp. His performance was also different than in past years at FARM AID. He came out acoustic and did a brief set. I was surprised that he did not talk to the audience about the cause we gathered for that day. None-the-less I enjoyed seeing his performance. Then appeared in his full rainbow regalia, and we knew what time it was .... The guys came out the box kicking with a fiery version of Love the One You're With You know if they pull off a good version of that tune, it's an indicator of an excellent set. Next up: Marrakesh Express Helpless (Great electric version, and during the csny 2000 tour, it was rarely performed. A gem.) Helplessly Hoping Our House Almost Cut My Hair (Excellent Stills jam, bouncing is mandatory....) Cinnamon Girl (Crank it up! Always a crowd pleaser.) Neil* made more monetary pleas during the set... Stephen pitched for the cause and made a funny about how Neil was talking more today that during the whole csny 2000 tour. I have always felt that television never captures the true essence of a CSN performance. But there is nothing like a live dose of the 4 founders. I was gleeful to be there to witness another meeting of the minds.... After CSNY's set, the show moved along at a fast pace. The broadcast was behind time, so Willie's initial set was jam packed with fast favorites... seguing into one another. Next thing you know the finale is here for the camera's and CSNY along with Willie, some Native American singers, and a host of other musicians came out and did a rendition of "Amazing Grace". Graham stood right next to Willie, (Willie & Willie) and sang along. When the song was over Stephen stayed on stage and shook Willie's hand. I guess he thanked him and congratulated him on another outstanding day and effort. That was my last CSNY related visual for the day, and a fitting one at that. One of the best parts (besides the obvious), came actually after the camera's were off, when Willie came back and played for atleast another hour. I love Willie, I think he is a class act, who really tries to make a difference. He has a charismatic stage presence and really knows how to work the crowd... both the men and the woman vie for his attention. All throughout this added treat, Willie sang his heart out and waved directly at fans and blew kisses.... his band kept rolling along with whatever hits Willie chose to run through. All an all an excellent day. I am thankful for such a full day of music, good friends and a great cause Thanks everybody!!!! Special thanks to Ramiro for the beautiful web design!


			Chani and Montse from Spain photo by Lorraine ©
		Lorraine and Lynn photo by Buzz Person ©
	My road buddy, Buzz Person photo by Lorraine©	Lorraine and Lynn photo by Buzz Person ©