In episode 1 of Hooked on Creek, I discuss Max Creek’s performance on September 16, 2018, at the Wormtown Music Festival in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
A live recording of this entire Max Creek performance is available to stream or download here.
Bonus: This entire Max Creek show is available to view on YouTube. Check it out:
Transcript of episode 1
Welcome to Hooked on Creek. A podcast celebrating the music of Max Creek. I am your host, Korre Johnson, and you are listening to episode 1.
Hey everyone thanks so much for joining me on the very first episode of Hooked on Creek. In this episode, I am going to discuss Max Creek’s performance on September 16, 2018, at the Wormtown Music Festival in Greenfield, Massachusetts. This shows is available to stream or download on archive.org.
Before I get started, I just want to say this is a podcast that I had been thinking about creating for a long time, so I am really excited to bring this project to life. So the idea here, is that I will use this podcast to explore Max Creek’s incredible collection of live performances available on archive.org. Max Creek has such a long and rich history, with shows on archive.org dating from the mid 1970s through today, Since I have gained so much joy from listening to their live shows on archive.org, I thought a podcast like this would be a helpful way of spreading the word about this band that I love so much and perhaps, I can provide some guidance for new and even long-time fans on what to look for as they explore the band’s collection of live music.
So what can you expect? Well in this in this episode, and future episodes of Hooked on Creek, I will select a Max Creek show posted on archive.org that I’ve listened to and really like, then walk through the set list, talk about why I recommend listening to the show, and of course, I will play a couple songs from each show reviewed on this podcast.
And one last thing before I get started, if you have feedback about this episode or recommendations for future episodes, visit hookedoncreek.com/contact to send me a message. I would love to hear from you.
So let’s get started.
The show opens with a solid performance of Wild Side. About 6 minutes in, the Wild Side blossoms into a textured landscape of musical bliss. The jam begins with Scott’s hypnotic guitar rhythms perfectly complimenting Mark’s exploration of the groove. With the mood of the jam securely established, Scott gently pulls our attention into focus with a swirling and twisting solo that softly builds, and then morphs in and out of phrases, fusing itself into the increasingly thick psychedelic soundscape the band builds around him. And from the depths of this incredible jam, we hear the unmistakable beginnings of Truck Driving Blues, which I featured in the background of the introduction to this episode.
The energy of this song travels like ice-cold water rushing down a mountain stream, grabbing you and forcing you along for the ride.
After the conclusion of the song, Mark and the band put the Max Creek treatment on Feelin’ Alright, a song originally recorded by Traffic in 1968, but popularized by Joe Cocker a year later. The earth and dirt pulled up through the band’s gritty interpretation of the song contrasts beautifully with our sense of familiarity with this classic tune.
Now, with our minds wide open and our ears dripping with saliva in anticipation of the next sonic treat, Bill Carbone takes over lead vocal from behind the drum set and helps the band deliver and outstanding version of I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, a Bob Dylan song recorded on Dylan’s 1967 album John Wesley Harding.
Next, John takes the lead singing a tender version of Darlin’ that includes a crisp jam. Then, Scott follows up with an energetic version of If You Ask Me. And if you are fan of this song, like I am, I think you’re really going to enjoy this version of the song.
Up next, Mark and the band perform Walking in Jerusalem, an old Bill Monroe song that dates back to 1953.
And then, we’re delivered an incredibly enchanting version of Chains of Life. Like a magician casting a spell, Max Creek’s performance of this song transforms you into another time, another place, outside your body, outside your mind. This jam is hypnotic, seductive and alluring.
Then, John leads the band through a rocking-hot performance of Peaceful Warrior, which morphs into an extended Drums performance by Bill and Jay that really grabs your attention.
Next, Mark delivers an incredibly sweet and heartfelt version of Angel From Montgomery, a John Prine tune from his self-titled 1971 album.
Scott then leads the band through a hot and sticky version of Louisiana Sun. About 7 minutes in, you are going to hear this already jam-heavy song really open up into some exploratory space. Mark, John, Bill and Jay pull together a funky groove that inspires Scott to some amazing heights, building and building the groove, and the completely shredding it. It’s so cool.
And from these heights, the song slowly dissolves and rearranges into the song It Must Be Nice, a dreamy, cosmic, tune sung by Bill that feels both extraordinarily light and extraordinarily heavy, all at the same time.
Up next, John leads the band through truly mind-bending version of Blood Red Roses. About 6 and a half minutes into this song, John lays downs a heavy bass solo that opens up the song by first, slowly deconstructing it. And then, things get really interesting as Scott begins layering his guitar over the groove, and then like a rocket, the song takes off, offering an incredible closing jam for this classic Creek tune.
Next, Jay steps to front of stage and delivers a beautiful version of his song Into the Ocean. That’s followed by an energetic version of Going Down the Road Feeling Bad to close the set.
And after a quick break, the band comes out for an encore, performing two final songs for the Wormtown Music Festival crowd, starting with a lengthy May the Circle Be Unbroken, followed by a cover of Freeborn Man, an old bluegrass song from 1967 written by Mark Lindsay and Keith Allison.
So, all in all, this is an amazing show and great recording available on archive.org to stream or download. A direct link to the show can be found in the show notes or over on hookedoncreek.com.
Now if we look at the songs from the perspective of what album they came off of, the band played one song from their 1980 album Rainbow, which was Truck Drivin’ Blues. The played Blood Red Roses from their 1982 album Drink The Stars. They played two songs from their 1986 album Windows, those were Darlin and If You Ask Me. They played Wild Side from their 1998 album Spring Water, and Louisiana Sun from their 1990 album MCMXC.
And now let’s hear a couple songs from this amazing show. From September 16, 2018, at the Wormtown Music Festival, this is Chains of Life which will be followed by Blood Red Roses.
And that concludes my review of Max Creek’s performance at the Wormtown Music Festival on September 16, 2018. I highly recommend you check it out. You can stream or download this Max Creek show on archive.org. And if you have feedback about this episode or recommendations for future episodes, visit hookedoncreek.com/contact and send me a message. Thanks for tuning in.