Review: Newport Folk Festival ’08 Pt. 1

Next, I headed over to the Main Stage to catch most of Richie Havens’ set. Havens was one of the few true folksters slotted to perform on the big stage and he certainly didn’t disappoint. His fingers moved furiously over the strings of his acoustic guitar, as the 67-year-old strummer delivered a glorious performance that featured Dylan covers (Maggie’s Farm and Watchtower) as well as his potent originals. Richie hasn’t lost a step, in fact he stamped his feet with each frenetic strum of the guitar. The highlight of Havens’ set was an energetic romp through Freedom, a song that showed off the power of his soulful voice.

I totally biffed Steve Earle’s set in an attempt to score some space for future Phish vocalist Trey Anastasio’s set, as nearly every inch of grass in front of the Main Stage was taken. Many audience members get to the festival early in the morning to claim their space and then disappeared when Havens finished his set. But most of them left behind their blankets and chairs, which was extremely annoying for those of us who just wanted a couple of feet to watch Big Red. At this point in the afternoon, the sun started to be overshadowed by a bevy of dark clouds. Within twenty minutes the weather went from bright to dreary.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AUDIO OF TREY’S SET

Trey took the stage right on time and opened with a graceful take on Brian and Robert. Anastasio didn’t exactly take any chances during his hourlong set, but he delivered a fun performance filled with Phish classics, two debuts and three songs from his post-breakup solo career. Many of the locals and longtime festival goers seemed to be unimpressed (especially since many Phish fans had the audacity to stand), but most of the folks who came to see Trey had their permagrins going. Big Red seemed extremely happy with the crowd’s response, especially during the Bathtub Gin sing along.

[youtube]uiwgKapMao8[/youtube]

As far as the two debuts, color me unimpressed. Both Alaska and Backwards Down The Number Line, which were debuted at Rothbury, show greater promise than If I Could Be A Sailor or Peggy. On the other end both Wilson and Bouncin’ Around The Room were well-played, full of life and perfectly placed. Towards the end of Anastasio’s performance the rain started to pick up. Once he left the stage after a terrific one-two punch encore of Sample in a Jar and Chalk Dust Torture much of the crowd took off for either shelter, their cars or the Harbor Stage where She & Him were playing. I can’t believe how many Trey fans left the festival after his set, but that’s their loss.

For the last few months I’ve been very excited to see She & Him perform live. Actress Zooey Deschanel’s voice sounded marvelous in concert, but I was surprised at what little stage presence the lifelong performer displayed. With each passing song the storm that was pounding Newport became more intense. Those of us who weren’t inside of the tent got absolutely soaked. The highlights of She & Him’s soggy set were a sublime Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?, their cover of You Really Got A Hold On Me and Jim James’ sit-in on Magic Trick.