Someone named Mike Weber took video at the annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash. Chuck Cuminale started this tradition about thirty years ago and the last incarnation of his band, The Colorblind James Experience and now Hunu, carries the tradition on. It is always fun but a bit melancholy without Chuck. Chuck, real name James and really colorblind, was born a few days before or after Dylan and he was always one of Bob’s biggest fans but not all of Dylan. He was very particular. I know he liked this song because I remember Peggi singing it with him. That’s Ken Frank, CBJ bass player from the classic lineup, on bass in this video.
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Coke vs. Pepsi ~ that sort of thing.
hey.. great singing Peggi
You’re quite right Paul; despite all the hoopla & anticipation, it never is the same without Chuck…. makes me wonder how many people that go nowadays can remember Chuck’s role as the overseer of it all….there’s still a lot of love in the air, I suppose, but I still remember last year, when The Urknee & Birdtone Russell ensemble performed ‘The Ballad of Hollis Brown’ and there was some verbal hostility at our treatment of the tune…funny, I didn’t sense that when Jeff Spevak got up there and did his free-form rendition of the tune this year…all in all though it’ll never be the same without Chuck, and certainly gone for good are those ‘Birthday Party Round Two’ gigs down at The Rongo in Trumansburg, which I had the pleasure & privilege of attending & performing at a couple times….some things, like the presence of near & dear friends, you just can’t take for granted anymore.
Perfect!