I go to Big Ears every year to be surprised, amazed, soothed, knocked on my ass, and to experience what I feel, as a lifelong local, is by far the best thing Knoxville does. I never see more than a quarter of the performances, but I did see the James Baldwin Project and your description nailed it. Justin Hick's vocals were one of those surprises, jaw-dropping, and the whole ensemble was magnificent start to finish.
beautifully said, I'm still absorbing the impact of the festival and have the daunting task of having to write something about it. I wish I could do Big Ears three times over and catch a different series of performances each time.
Big Ears is such a large and amazing festival and I share your sentiments. I think everyone that attends has a different point of view because we get to hear different music. There’s so much going on. I didn’t even know there was a Terry Riley piece. I did get to hear your In a Silent Way, Free Country and Sunday morning’s amazing guitar seminar, they were highlights for me. Thank you for the great music.
I love this reflection on Big Ears, Joel. Beautiful writing. Really simple yet poignant! Wish I could achieve something like this without so much god-damn name dropping! So happy you got to present your vision this year!
Thank you so much for using your writing gifts to describe this Festival. It’s so hard to put into words. I thought your performances were transcendent unusual and appropriate for the festival. All three sets were completely different. I loved them all. Look forward to next year.
well I am thrilled you saw ALL three!
Yes, me too. I missed about 10 things I wanted to see!
Thanks Mark!
Actually I just read your piece and it was great. It helped me rue all I didn't see :), any way thank you, this was very personal to me
Ah yes! Well, now you know how much I appreciated it.
I go to Big Ears every year to be surprised, amazed, soothed, knocked on my ass, and to experience what I feel, as a lifelong local, is by far the best thing Knoxville does. I never see more than a quarter of the performances, but I did see the James Baldwin Project and your description nailed it. Justin Hick's vocals were one of those surprises, jaw-dropping, and the whole ensemble was magnificent start to finish.
beautifully said, I'm still absorbing the impact of the festival and have the daunting task of having to write something about it. I wish I could do Big Ears three times over and catch a different series of performances each time.
Big Ears is such a large and amazing festival and I share your sentiments. I think everyone that attends has a different point of view because we get to hear different music. There’s so much going on. I didn’t even know there was a Terry Riley piece. I did get to hear your In a Silent Way, Free Country and Sunday morning’s amazing guitar seminar, they were highlights for me. Thank you for the great music.
I love this reflection on Big Ears, Joel. Beautiful writing. Really simple yet poignant! Wish I could achieve something like this without so much god-damn name dropping! So happy you got to present your vision this year!
Thank you so much for using your writing gifts to describe this Festival. It’s so hard to put into words. I thought your performances were transcendent unusual and appropriate for the festival. All three sets were completely different. I loved them all. Look forward to next year.
Thank you for everything you do to bring the guitar and music community together, Joel! I was one of those people who stopped you in the street.