Moogfest 2008 kicked off with an appearance by Pink Floyd tribute band the Machine. Keyboardist Scott Chasolen held court on an old school rig that featured a vintage Rhodes electric piano, a Moog Minimoog Voyager, and a Hammond XK3C clonewheel organ. Particularly moving was the band’s stirring rendition of the Floyd classic “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.” Next up on the bill was the jambased collective Prison Shank, featuring keyboardists Aron Magner and Jamie Shields, (of The Disco Biscuits and The New Deal, respectively). Both anchored keyboard setups that centered around Moog synthesizers, as did guitarist Jake Cinnegar, who impressed with his facile command of the newly released Moog Guitar.
The Late Show with David Letterman’s longtime musical director and keyboardist Paul Shaffer presented legendary funkmeister Bernie Worrell with the Bob Moog Award for his lifetime of groundbreaking synthesizer work. Shaffer sat in with Worrell on Rhodes and vocals, (while Worrell dazzled on Hammond Organ and Minimoog Voyager), on the P-Funk classic Flashlight, with the crowd joining in on each groove-infected chorus.
Jammy hipsters Umphrey’s McGee closed-out the evening, with keyboardist Joel Cummins holding court on a vintage B-3 and Rhodes Suitcase EP, as well as a Minimoog Voyager and Yamaha S90 synthesizer.
Moogfest 2008 reminded all of us just how far Bob Moog took the synthesizer, and how much amazing music his inventions have made possible.
Website: www.moogfest.net
Moogfest 2008 Performers: The Machine, Prison Shank, Bernie Worrell All-Stars (with The Eric Mcfadden Trio and special guest Paul Shaffer), Umphrey’s McGee.