Might High
Mighty High In Rapt Musical Bliss! 
(And The World Did Not End)
by Sister Sylvie
Photos by Vernon Webb
The 4th annual Mighty High Mountain Festival rocked for its second time at Tuxedo Park, NY just 30 miles from NYC. It’s a ski area amid a lush landscape of trees. A three-day festival in the midst of an unprecedented rainy season, I got there on day 2 while The Meters Experience featuring Leo Nocentelli was jamming a ripping set in the sunshine. The word at the festival was that the first day was good with Dark Star Orchestra (DSO), Donna Jean Godchaux Band, and Zigaboo Modeliste. McMule’s Joanne Lediger, Reflections’ Lizzy Friel, and DSO’s Lisa Mackey joined Donna Jean for some shimmering vocals on Mighty High, Don’t Let Go, and Delta Jubilee.
Day 2 was May 21, 2011 – touted to be Judgment Day (once again) and gained a ton of national media coverage leading up to the day. The New Riders Of The Purple Sage (NRPS) (joined by DSO’s Rob Koritz and Jeff Mattson) took the stage around 5:50pm and opened with the astounding and appropriate Where I Come From, written by Robert Hunter and David Nelson. The rain came down hard at the start of this high-energy groove, affirming wise, old-school values (e.g., improvising from the heart, being true without being cruel, sharing, being smart with our resources), and die-hards surrendered themselves by dancing in it; they danced away the rain. After the touted hour of Judgment passed and we 
were all still here and on the festival grounds in front of the band, NRPS had fun with it by playing Death And Destruction. The fun really took off with Buddy’s fantastic licks on Henry, and we saluted him and the like. NRPS closed their set with Higher, a great anthem for Mighty High. Drummer Johnny Markowski got the audience to sing along “I’m higher than I’ve ever been…” in our kindred spirit, recognizing the simple but grand blessings in our lives. We were in rapt musical bliss throughout.
The rain held off the rest of the night, and bands on the rise played on the side stage between the headliners. (I’m sorry to say that I 
missed most of them, as I was socializing and out and about as media. The rising bands were turning heads. I caught a little of Adam Ezra Group on Day 3 before I left. Their cover of Up On Cripple Creek was so cool that I was drawn into the crowd around them.)
As the sun went down into night 2, the field filled in anticipation for Steve Kimock and Friends (Henry Butler, Andy Hess, John Morgan Kimock, Zigaboo Modeliste). The ensemble stretched out five upbeat tunes: Nana’s Chalk Pipe > Thing One > You’re The One > Go To The Mardi Gras > Big Chief. I was a bit taken aback when Steve introduced the
band, said goodbyes, and the set was over. What can I say? It was too short for this Kimock fan. We were having such a good time! It was lively and memorable with all the smiles on stage on and the field. The dual drumming of John Morgan and funk inventor Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters) was fired up; blind jazz pianist Henry Butler’s feel on the keys was utterly impeccable. Steve and Andy were charged up and in good spirits through the jams.
DSO opened with Cold Rain and Snow and played til around midnight. It was my first time hearing DSO with Jeff Mattson, but knowing his soulful strength on 
guitar, it was no surprise that DSO was great. I listened while I ventured to parties in the campground and sang along.
Day 3’s highlight was Johnny Markowski Band (JMB) – a project that NRPS drummer Johnny Markowski began as he was recording his own songs; then invited close musician friends, and I can tell it is very personal. I stayed around as long as I could to check them out on stage, but they were still in set up mode. I got to hear their acoustic practice jam beforehand with special guest John Popper; there was a surprise announcement the day before. I got reports that JMB with special guest John Popper was joined by Joanne Lediger (McMule; Stir-Fried) and Jan London (Stir-Fried) for a sweet, rocking acoustic and electric set. Along with JMB songs, they did Popper’s Hook. Spoken-word poet Frank Messina came up for Shine The Light.
Mighty High Mountain Festival featured my kind of line-up and brought me out from the air-waves of radio this past weekend. The festival is small as it is still in its early years, but small is often great and full of heart. From the small ones, I have discovered family and friends, which I may not have otherwise. That is truly cosmic. It was a bit of a hike, and yes, there was some rain and puddles, but it was all worthwhile to enjoy great music and the community of kind people. And heck, the world didn’t end. We just got Mighty High together. Peace, everyone!
DJ Sister Sylvie is host of the Homegrown Music Show on the Lion 90.7fm or www.thelion.fm
