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Rock n Roll Resort 

May 1 2015

Hudson Valley Resort and Spa Kerhonkshon NY

by Krystal Glushien

Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.

To Submit a review for consideration hit us at [email protected]

The Rock N Roll Resort v5 Electric Avenue was to this date, the best weekend of my life.  Layers of incredible memories are stacked as high as the many floors of the resort.  The music, the vibe, the fire and the glow; they were all there.  The family, the friends, the more then friends, and the love; They were all there.  The nice comfortable beds, hot showers, indoor pool and Jacuzzi; they were all there.  Everyone and everything that needed to be there, was there.  As was I.

The attendance was a bit less than I expected to see, but that made it all the more special.  People’s faces were instantly familiar and their names were easier to remember. The whole weekend was filled with making friends and meeting family… or meeting friends and making families… to each their own, and own that resort we did.RRR 15 1

Personally, I say, get a room with a balcony.  The mountains are just gorgeous and if you sing the beginning of “The Sound of Music” to them, they echo back in appreciation.  My other tidbit of advice is to get there early and take a swim in the pool before any of the music starts because the music started off with some incredible talent!

The Apple Jam previewed August 21-23 Russell MA 

Cousin Earth took the Ballroom stage at 3pm to start it all off.  This band was unique and when I say unique, what I mean is eccentric and off the wall: in the hilarious manner of theatrics.  Between the humor and the diversity in instruments, their act alone could have been done by all mimes… but the audience was blessed to behold such the reality of great music.  The energy in their voices and in their steps were nothing short of a mini musical.  They really impressed me and it was hard to tear myself away. 

Eggy was playing at 3:30 in the Empire Lounge and a very enthusiastic friend raved and raved about them. Tip: Listen to your friend’s taste in music.  I was not at all disappointed.  Going from the Ballroom to the Lounge was like jumping from the hot tub right into a pool.  You know that feeling?  I really like that feeling.

Viral Sound review from the Stone Church November 2014. 

Editor’s Note:  Tragedy struck the Alchemystics family with the passing of roadie Geronimo ‘Budzy’ Dobbs and drummer, band leader, producer and friend Demse Zullo.  Thanks for everyone for their thoughts and wishes and positivity.   There is a funding campaign that has been started by the Zullo family located here. http://www.gofundme.com/tq9e6aw

Eggy was jazzy yet jammy.  They also had diversity but in a different way.  They switched up their sound a good amount so that the next song was always different from the one before.  And the best part about them is that they were just so chill…. I could have danced if I wanted to, but I found I just wanted to chill and have a drink with some ice in it.RRR 15 2

Something happens at music festivals where time seems to become a theory and not actually real.  I plan by the line ups, but then I lose myself in the halls and paths of smiling laughing people. Many times I found myself riding the elevator, with a ready prepared excuse as to why I’m on the elevator even though my room is on the first floor.  I forget sometimes that I don’t have to be worried so much about being judged for my love of elevator rides.  I do suggest to Rock n Roll Resort that they decorate the elevators next time or provide artist contribution and interaction.  Line the walls with white paper and provide markers for the people inside to draw with.  My original plan of this included neon colors and a black light but I realized that an elevator is no place for a black light.

I remember sitting on the hill just outside the resort, basking in the sunshine, when it was mentioned that The Kind Buds would be taking the acoustic stage.  And like a bell and a bunny running, I was off. The acoustic stage is hidden behind a staircase and holds the baby grand piano and assorted lounge chairs.  It’s a pocket of joy that you happen upon when you least expect it after feeling lost in the halls.

Me? I don’t get lost often.  I’m always right where I should be.

Tour date announcements for John Kadlecik and Golden Gate Wingmen.

Anywhere the Kind Buds are, I’m going to try to be there too.  Their music is made up of their guitars, their voices, and their hearts… and of course, Jerry.  Bud and Budd of the Kind Buds are always accompanied by Kitty Kindbud who is a ray of dancing sunshine and promotion.  She has the best stories and she makes you want to hug somebody.  The three of them make you feel good inside when you are near and absolutely blissful when the Kind Buds are playing.

Just two guitars and two voices.  Their guitars and voices dance with each other and if you close your eyes, you can almost visual the sounds they make dancing together in perfect collaboration.  It’s light, yet daring.  It drives you forward while comforting you at just the right moments.  These men truly love the music.

My favorite song of all (so far, and at this moment) is Captain of the Trip by The Kind Buds.  When I heard this song for the second time, I was at Wormtown Music Festival and they were on main stage during the day.  And I cried and told my friends I loved them and that I loved Jerry because he made them who they were.  And all my friends laughed.  Please, take the chance to listen to that song.  It is just so touching.

Check out the review of the Balkun Brothers and Gang of Thieves at Strange Brew in CT here.  

 

When the Kind Buds play, everyone comes out of the wood work.  From all different ages and backgrounds, the audience of the Kind Buds is a thing of variety.  I suspect that the sound of the Kind Buds is the sound of the Pied Piper.  If you’re called, you’re a Bud Head.

The lineup of Rock n Roll Resort was like a dream come true for me. My two favorite bands to go see are The Kind Buds and Consider the Source.  Friday night had them back to back.  Can I not say enough how much I loved my weekend?!RRR 15 3

Consider the Source:  I’m biased.  They are my favorite band.  You know those groupies from the 60s that would drool all over themselves and faint and cry just to be around the Beatles?  Consider the Source could possibly have that effect on me.  They are a three piece band:  Gabriel on guitars, Jon on bass, and Jeff on Drums and Percussion.  I saw them for the first time 2 years ago and listening to them play with such love, spirit, and energy for their sound and what they do, was a completely life altering moment for me.  Seeing them play isn’t just music… it’s teachings.  Gabriel taught me to try closing my eyes when I listened to music.  Jon give me a higher level of happiness during his bass solos that are the best I’ve ever heard.  And Jeff on the drums… well that man is not just a pretty smile.  The sounds he creates and the way it all flows together with just his two drum sticks gives my own drum sticks this uncontrollable urge to move and dance.  You cannot just listen to this band without your body moving. 

Victoria Ska and Reggae festival preview

By the time Fishbone was about to take the stage, I was beat.  I felt like a can of soda shaken up, and then opened to explode all over the resort with fairy dust and rainbows, and now left empty on a table amongst all the other cool drinks.  I had driven three hours with a dysfunctional GPS.  I had danced, I had loved, listened, and I was ready for a lullaby. By 1am, I would have melted into any cuddle puddle if I had found the right one.  I did find a foot massage which surprisingly are not that hard to come by when you’re feet are clean from the halls of a carpeted resort compared to the dirt and mud of a campground.  I can honestly say the rest of the night was so foggy, with bits of flashes and light, that all I can bring forward from the memories was just happiness and acceptance.  Where do the sureties of the night lie and the dreams of our hearts begin and end.  And how much of that would I trust myself to share?

I know I stayed awake long enough to catch Outer Stylie at 4am.  I know that I was determined not to miss it. I know that it was possibly the best show I’ve ever seen of them.  These guys aren’t just great musicians; Talented, skilled, dedicated, and hardworking.  They are also great guys and do a lot for the music community where I am from in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.  I wish I could say I was awake enough to absorb enough of their sound to hold in these great adjectives that will paint a picture of what their show was like.  Picture instead a girl barely able to hold herself up due to fatigue, clapping and rooting for her home town guys that are playing a stage 3 hours away in the great lights and energy of Rock n Roll Resort.  Each of these guys have been nothing but wonderful and kind to me from the moment I crossed their paths individually.  But even if they weren’t friends of mine, they are still a band I would always try to go see.  They put on a great show every time I see them.  They do not disappoint. They do not do anything less than rock hard.

 

My Friday Night of Rock N Roll Resort was nothing short of “the best.”  I went to bed, brain dead, with the grateful dead, sounding beautifully in my head, though not a word was said.  Friday night was absolutely inspirational.  I went to sleep knowing I still had all of Saturday to play still too.  No dream could possibly top my reality in that moment.RRR 15 4

 

Editor’s Note:  Tragedy struck the Alchemystics family with the passing of roadie Geronimo ‘Budzy’ Dobbs and drummer, band leader, producer and friend Demse Zullo.  Thanks for everyone for their thoughts and wishes and positivity.   There is a funding campaign that has been started by the Zullo family located here. http://www.gofundme.com/tq9e6aw 

Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.

To Submit a review for consideration hit us at [email protected]

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