Led Balloon Rises To The Occaison: May 2, 2009

In contrast to Twitter, Kindle, the IPhone and IPod ,YouTube and all the other high tech applications eagerly consumed in search of entertainment and/or diversion, a live concert in front of a crowd seems quaint and archaic. Even more shocking, in respect to the Led Balloon Jug Band concert at Northfield -Mount Hermon's newly dedicated arts center last Saturday, was the fact that there were no amplifiers or electronic devices, no software to enhance the sound, no technical wizardry to cover up human error with the exception of a few microphones. Jug band music is, after all, a sound that originated on streetcorners during the late 1920s , raucous, funky, energetic and meant to be played loudly.


The Led Balloon Jug Band was the brainchild of musicologist/songwriter/performer/educator Bruce Burnside, inspired in part by the Jim Kweskin Jug Band "revival" in the mid 1960s. He assembled a diverse group of fellow NMH students including Chris Crosby (banjo, kazoo, vocals) , Will Melton (mandolin, vocals,special sound effects), "Max" Millard and James McBean (harmonicas), Craig Roche (washtub bass, guitar, mandolin, vocals) , "Sam" Schreiber (special guest vocalist) and yours truly (jug, mediocre humor). As the band developed a following, one of the LBJB's "Special Assistants" - Deborah Wiggin - suggested to Bruce that the band should cut an album, which happened in 1967.


Flash forward to 2009, the third time the Led Balloon has re-united for a special occasion concert. This time it was different in respect to the fact that Craig Roche was no longer part of the lineup; he passed away unexpectedly last November. In order to preserve his larger-than-life memory, the concert was dubbed For The Benefit of Mr. Kite , reflecting Craig's alter ego as Mr. Kite (and lifelong love of the Beatles!). The LBJB featured two new members: Matt Snyder - replacing Craig on washtub bass - and Susan Hessey on guitar and vocals.


Thanks to Bruce's talent for arranging our generally ragged - but enthusiastic- ensemble, the audience had no idea that the entire band had not actually all played together until that particular moment. Fortunately, the charter members - who have most of these songs permanently imprinted in their memory banks by now -and the newest additions pulled off respectable versions of "Jug Band Music", "Fishin", "Morning Blues", "Whoa Mule" , "KC Moan", "Mobile Line" as well as Sam Schreiber's still flawless vocals on "Richland Woman". Susan Hessey made her official debut as the LBJB's latest chanteuse, contributing a bluesy, tongue-in-cheek rendition of the Sippie Wallace classic "You Got To Know How" (Oh, my!)". The newer tunes included "Viola Lee Blues", featuring "Shade" Melton on vocals, the jug band classic "Stealin" and the Beatles' "When I'm 64". It was Mr. Kite's idea to adapt the song to a jug band format, but the LBJB turned it into a duet, with Sam Schrieber and yours truly adding a few "dinner theatre" routines.


Ironically, the band was supposed to be embracing new technology this time around - videotaping the performance and uploading it on YouTube - but there wasn't enough time to pull it off. The Led Balloon sold commemorative tee shirts celebrating Craig Roche's life and contribution to the band, as well as Led Balloon CDs - if any of you reading this are interested in a shirt or a CD, then just respond to this blog - there are a few left. Most importantly, the band was able to make a significant contribution to the school in Craig's memory.


The LBJB would never make it on "American Idol". We're not lounge lizards or aspiring megastars, just a collection of average people who enjoy playing together. As this point in our lives, the companionship and camaraderie are just as important as the music itself, the chance to catch up and compare notes, to relive the spark of creativity that ignited back when we were 17. Although the Led Balloon has no idea where or when its next performance will be, I'd venture to say that most of the band members are already looking forward to it.

Your comments are always welcome, like this one from "Shade " himself:

In the 19th century there were lots of ways in which we built community; in fact, there were few leisure activities that did not contribute to our sense of belonging. As for music, aside from occasional troubadours appearing at the local opera house, Americans' only exposure to music was what we made ourselves. Before the advent of radio, families often doubled as musical ensembles, singing hymns, playing fiddle tunes, entertaining after dinner on the piano or Estey organ. Now we barricade ourselves behind walls of speakers and solitary headphones. No wonder we are fragmenting. Those of us in Led Balloon formed a community, preserved on vinyl thanks to our recording date in April, 1967, and it's a meaningful connection for every one of us.