We woke to a steady rain, but it was welcomed and served to cool the day somewhat.
Right now, Pearl Jam is 40 minutes into their set and sounding every bit like...well Pearl Jam, which means Eddie Vedder is scaling new heights with his vocals.
It was a full day of music. For me, the highlight was Zappa Plays Zappa, Dweezil’s tribute project to his father Frank’s body of work.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dweezil a month ago in anticipation of today’s show and the release of a concert DVD of the tour.
Frank Zappa’s music to me is like Indian food. You either love it or you don’t, but most of the people who I know who say they don’t like Indian have never tried it. And, the people who like it, love it.
Every bite is an experience and every note of a Zappa song is the same way. You have to pay attention, and watching the show today, I appreciated the Bonnaroo experience even more.
Lots of people say they are music fans, and maybe they are. Have you ever asked someone what type of music they like and gotten “all kinds?”
Usually what they really mean is, “both kinds, country and western,” to borrow from “The Blues Brothers.” Actually what they really mean is “I like all kinds of music that sounds like something I already like.”
But watching the Zappa show, I noticed not only the curiosity the fans brought to the venue, but appreciation for the different places it took them. They got the humor and sarcasm in not only the words, but the phrasing.
During our conversation, I told Dweezil that I always felt like his father hid inside jokes within inside jokes. Even when I felt like I got it, I couldn’t help thinking he was leading me down a maze and laughing at every turn.
Again, the Indian food analogy. I enjoy watching newbies try it and trying to figure out how far they are willing to go. Usually they start with something that looks familiar, and if they like that, they will move to something more daring.
The ingredients are all familiar, but how they are mixed is entirely different.
The Bonnaroo folks want the full menu.