The Sourland Mountain Festival was again held on the idyllic grounds of the Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes. Since it’s beginning in 2004, this festival has been the marquee event for the Sourland Conservency. In addition to a day of great original music, it showcases members who represent the unique character of this region, including the original settlers, the Lenape People, while stressing their effort to protect, promote and preserve it. Examples of the diverse animal and plant species are displayed at booths alongside local crafters, plus food and beverage vendors providing regional specialties. This year’s event even included a hot air balloon ride!
As is the custom, there was a Lenape Nation blessing of the mountain, followed by the opening act, Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz. A native of Philadelphia, Christine was on acoustic guitar/vocals, and joining her were Keith Giosa on bass/keys/backing vocals, Colleen Clark on electric guitar/bass, Eric Johnson on drums and Gretchen Schultz on backing vocals. Their sound incorporates a wide range of styles, which she has termed “Neufunkadelicfolkpoptwangrock,” and whatever you call it, I heard some great music. She was in strong voice on this day and featured four cuts from her current EP, including the title track, “None of You” as well as eight others from her more than thirty-year career. She made my wife Joanne’s day when during the song “Said it Once” from her Sunless Escapade collection, the band broke into the refrain “Set me free why don’t you babe?” from the Vanilla Fudge classic version of the Supremes “You Keep Me Hanging On.” The Fudge bass player, until he passed, Tim Bogert, was her cousin and my good friend until his untimely death three years ago. I can’t tell you how many times we heard that line sung live! “California Night,” the title track from last year’s EP of the same name showcased Christine’s dual strength’s, marrying good lyrics and melody, with the band really bringing them to life. The penultimate number, “Desire,” from that same EP, had a great hook, including Colleen’s Firey guitar and some great harmonizing. They finished the set with “Fade,” from the current EP and contrary to the title, they went out on a high note.
Tony Kennette not only shares his passion for music and a sustainable environment, but provides photography, cinematography, sound engineering for live events through his Kennette Productions company, when he’s not fronting his Sourland region-based band, Tony and the Trees. The band included Tony on acoustic guitar/vocals, John Malko on bass, Luke Hildebrand on drums, Rob Accardi on electric guitar, and Reed Fela on Sax. On this gig, they were joined by Audrey Songbird on vocals, and our good JSJBF friends, Ryan Gregg on keys and Chuggy Carter on percussion. The set benefitted from the expanded band with numbers like “J-Funk,” featuring Tony’s acoustic guitar through a funky foot pedal, and “F-Song,” that really came to life with Ryan’s keyboards and the sax fills from Reed, as well as Audry’s sweet backing vocals. “Comes a Time,” a nice jazzy number employed a Grateful dead inspired Wah Wah sound from Rob that gave it a unique flavor. This set was crammed full, with fifteen originals, by an ensemble that seamlessly mixed upbeat, driving tunes like “Wild One,” with contemplative ballads like “Broken Heart Away,” featuring Rob’s tender solo, that held the audience attention. Another standout was “Meat Suit,” a mid-tempo rocker that had a great riff. On this day Tony and band showed why this festival is known for outstanding original music.
The Adventures of Matte Black, is another great original band that draws from a diverse group of influences, including what has been labeled Factory Western Gothic, Americana Steampunk, and Folk Rock. The band is led byMadison Gerish on vocals and acoustic guitar and Daniel Skinner on electric guitar. On this day they were joined Ian Finch on bass and Miles Huffman on drums. They began with “Peoplehoodedness,” a song that included the profound statement, “No one knows what happens when we die.” At this point my ears perked up and I knew this was going to be an interesting journey. “Patsy Cline” included some reverb drenched guitar of Daniel’s which complimented Madison gritty vocals that Patsy would have enjoyed. “Suicidal Catskill Owl” continued the dark theme, and featured a great hook with some fierce soloing by Daniel, complimenting Madison’s unique vocal delivery, which created their signature sound. “The Mountain” begins with Daniel’s foreboding guitar, and Madison strumming her acoustic but quickly picked up speedwith some sparce vocals and hypnotic Dead flavored jamming. For me, it was the high point (pun intended) of the set. They finished with “Everything & Nothing,” song whose lyrics included a mention of Madison’s grandfather, some heartfelt singing, and another helping of Daniel’s excellent fret work. These two seem like a musical match made in Heaven and have a bright future in front of them.
The headliner, the Matt O’Ree Band, are longtime JSJBF members and friends, just back from a nearly six-week tour of Europe which included the Suceava Blues Festival in Romania. The band this day, included member Layonne Holmes on vocals, who couldn’t join them in Europe as she had a Fourth of July date to sing with Darlene Love and The Boston Pops Orchestra, and Carmine Diorio, subbing on drums for John Hummel. They joined the core of the band, Matt on guitar and vocals, his multi-talented wife Eryn on Vocals, Lex Lehman on bass, and Matt Wade on the keyboard. With Matt O’Ree on vocals, they opened with a powerful version of a terrific song from the Hand In Glove collection, “Whole Lotta Nothing.” Next up was a new tune, “Moves Me,” which sounded great, and underscores one of the strengths of their musical relationship, Matt and Eryn are collaborating on some excellent songs. “I’ll Be Your Shotgun,” another song from the aforementioned disc, is an ode to being at your man’s side, and speaks highly of their relationship. You could tell this band has been out on the road, as they are tight and play with precision, while getting the best sound out of their combined voices and instruments. “Mary You” and “Worth the Live” sounded even better than when I heard them at the recording of Live at the Stone Pony. Two more new tunes were then featured at the set’s end “Unbreakable” and “Every Stone,” which Eryn told me is a working title. Both sounded as if they are worthy of a trip to the recording studio. One of the benefits of the road is the chance to refine new material each night, based on what they hear and how the crowd reacts, and these songs are pure gold. As it turned out, the crowd didn’t want the music to end, and with shouts for more, the band launched into a two-song encore which included the only non-original music of the day. Two classics from the 70’s, Joe Walsh’s tune with The James Gang, “Funk 49,” and Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” had everyone on their feet, and was the perfect ending to a great day of music.