Every year during AmericanaFest, the Basement East presents a group of performances that have become fan favorites. Featuring the music from fifty years before, Tim Jones hosts four sets—winter through fall—and brings in performers from across the festival and across genres. This year’s Music of 1972 opened with a Jackson Brown number, and featured the songs of the Allman Brothers, Staples Singers, George Harrison, Little Feat, Bill Withers, Waylon and Willie, Marvin Gaye and more. Much more.
Jones, with Laura Mayo singing backup and occasional lead vocals, kept the show moving, spotlighting the incredible house band. Guitarist and vocalist Griffin Winton took jibes about his youth, while consistently demonstrating why he held a key spot onstage, with solos on “I’ve Never Been to Spain” and “Jesus Was a Capricorn.” One highlight of the house band was the Nashville Horns—Kirk Donovan, Diego Vasquez, and Paul Thacker.
Jim Lauderdale, arguably the Godfather of Americana Music, made an appearance and performed Elvis’ “Burning Love.” The song selections ranged from “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke” to “Pancho and Lefty” and “Sylvia’s Mother.”
The crowd, which grew as the night went on, may have leaned toward a demographic who had experienced the music of 1972 in 1972, but young and old left hoarse after singing along all night long. Sarah Potenza returned this year for the grand finale, closing out with a powerful rendition of “Smoke on the Water.”
Featured Photo: Chris Pierce
(R-L) Row 1: Andrew Leahy, Adam Chaffin, Ashley Rae, Bonnie Montgomery, Brian Wright
Row 2: Chris Pierce, Del Barber, Jaida Dreyer, Jim Lauderdale, John Latham.
Row 3: Kashena Sampson, Kelly Willis, Keshia Bailey (Lady Couch), Laura Mayo, Mandy Mosher
Row 4: Lilly Hiatt, Michaela Anne, Diego Vasquez (Nashville Horns), Nicki Bluhm
Row 5: Sam Lewis, Host Tim Jones, Sarah Potenza, Webb Wilder