Music. Alcohol. Oysters. Books.

Day two of the Berkeley Bluegrass Festival at the Freight kicked off with a performance in the lobby by a band called The Town Howlers. I didn't follow their set closely, but what I did catch was quite enjoyable, and I even decided to buy their CD.

Salty Sally opened the evening's main program. The band features four young female musicians. I've only seen mandolinist Sophia Sparks before, when she shared the stage with Sierra Hull and, on another occasion, with Del McCoury. They started with a few covers, including Della Mae's Turtle Dove and Sierra Ferrell's In Dreams. One of the highlights was a lively rendition of Smokey Robinson's My Girl. They also played a few originals, and the title track, which closed the set, left a particularly strong impression. It was a very enjoyable set with excellent instrumental work. It's so good to see young talent thriving. A great start to the night!

Set list (Salty Sally, 7:05 PM — 7:49 PM): Turtle Dove, In Dreams, My Girl, Tree Climber, Honeysuckle Rose, Don't Know Why, Tonight's the Heartache's on Me, No Soldiers, Quiet Quincy, Unbroken, Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?, Salty Sally

Dom Flemons's Shultz's Dream program was dedicated to the African American fiddler and guitarist Arnold Shultz (1886–1931). Although Shultz left no recordings, he had a profound impact on his contemporaries. The set included many familiar tunes that Dom regularly performs, along with several songs from his Black Cowboys album that I had never heard live before. Flemons began solo and was later joined at various points by Tray Wellington on banjo and Brian Farrow on double bass and fiddle. The trio performed together at times, but also came and went throughout the set. I especially enjoyed the good old Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, as well as the medleys. And the final part of the program, featuring the instrumental John Henry y los vaqueros and the title track Shultz's Dream, was absolutely amazing!

Set list (Dom Flemons, 7:58 PM — 9:08 PM): There's a Brownskin Girl Down the Road Somewhere, Charmin' Betsy / Take Me Back / Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor / Bully of the Town, Freight Train / Railroad Bill / Cannonball Blues, My Long Journey Home, Polly Put Your Kettle On, Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, Lonesome Old River Blues, Slow Dance with You, Po' Black Sheep / John Henry / Oh! Susanna, Knox County Stomp, John Henry y los vaqueros, Til' the Seas Run Dry, Shultz's Dream

Mr Sun closed out the night. Fiddler Darol Anger, a founding member of both the David Grisman Quintet and the Turtle Island Quartet, led the group, with the other members also bringing impressive credentials. Their mostly instrumental music blends traditional bluegrass and jazz, along with other influences, including classical ones. It's not exactly my cup of tea, but I definitely enjoyed the tunes they played. Each musician delivered exciting instrumental parts. Tray Wellington joined Mr Sun on stage for Bill Monroe's Old Dangerfield. There were a couple of other covers in the set, including Greg Brown's Ain't No One Like You with vocals and the instrumental Evening Prayer Blues by DeFord Bailey. A solid performance and a great way to end the night!

Set list (Mr Sun, 9:20 PM — 10:29 PM): Storm of the Century of the Week, Danny Barnes, Ain't No One Like You, Breaker's Bakedown, The Invisible Present, Tamp 'Em up Solid, Hunter's Permit, Old Dangerfield (with Tray Wellington), Innisfree, Farewell Trion, Evening Prayer Blues

( Few more pix... )