Behind The Lens At Bridge School
06:01 PM Monday 10/24/11
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Contributing photographer John Davisson gives you a firsthand account of all the music, fun and artistic collaborations that made up the 25th annual Bridge School Benefit.
Bridge School Benefit at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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The Bridge School Benefit is special. It’s an annual celebration for Neil Young fans who gather in the area to spend the weekend with iconic artist. It’s also a benefit for a school for children with communication impediments (Neil’s son Ben attended) with all the proceeds going to a great cause, and a platform on the stage for children of the school.
It’s always a great weekend of live music at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View California. The sets are short and, to minimize set change time, generally acoustic. Because of the format, artists tend to perform different music than usual, for unique performances that often feature once-in-a-lifetime collaborations. Saturday and Sunday have slightly different line-ups, but the songs change so it is worth going to both days. I’ve been going every year since I discovered the show in 1999.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the show, and there was a special vibe in the air. Like every year it began with a blessing by the Dennis Ally Wisdom Dancers and a speech by Neil’s wife Pegi in which she introduces the children on the stage. Then Neil comes out for a couple of songs (this year it was “I am a Child” and The Youngbloods’ “Get Together.”)
Delivering her opening remarks at the 25th annual Bridge School Benefit.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Kicking things off at this year's Bridge School Benefit at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Then Neil handed off the stage to the first act; Devendra Banhart played a four song acoustic set (with a pair of musicians on Saturday, but solo on Sunday). This was followed by a set by The Little Willies, a country cover band featuring Norah Jones. She played piano and sang country classics like “Tennessee Stud” and “Jolene.”
Day No. 1 of the Bridge School Benefit at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Beck played next, with a band, and his set was pretty subdued, with songs like “Golden Age” and “Lost Cause.” On Sunday though the band did “Where It’s At,“ which got a very enthusiastic response from the fans. Beck also covered Neil’s “Pocahontas” with Neil coming out to help.
With Neil Young at the annual Bridge School Benefit.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Los Invisibles then brought some Latin jams to the show, featuring Carlos Santana’s music, including “Maria Maria” and “Smooth.” On Saturday, Mumford & Sons played later in the day, but on Sunday they played before Los Invisibles. Of course they received a great response, and Neil joined them for “Dance Dance Dance” which made sure Neil’s fans were listening.
Bridge School Benefit, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, Calif.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Eddie Vedder was there for one of his solo sets on guitar and ukulele. He gets the award for most guests this year as Regine Chassagne and Beck each joined him for a song (“Tonight You Belong To Me” and “Sleepless Nights” respectively). On Saturday, he flubbed a cover of Neil’s “Don’t Cry No Tears” so Neil came out on Sunday to help him.
He also played “Last Kiss” on Sunday for Maricor Pagsanjan, a Bridge School student who went on to graduate from Berkeley. Eddie often does that as he has gotten to know her over the many years that he or Pearl Jam have played the Benefit.
Performing with Regine Chassagne at the Bridge School Benefit, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, Calif.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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On Sunday only, Foo Fighters played next followed by Tony Bennett. The Foos were acoustic but still cranking out the volume for the fans (except for “Everlong” which Dave Grohl played solo acoustic). Tony got a great response from the audience, especially for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
Day No. 2 of the 25th annual Bridge School Benefit.
October 23, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds played a late set and it was an impressive display of the sounds two musicians on guitar can generate. Dave played piano on a song on Saturday, which I have not seen before. On Sunday, Marcus Mumford joined them for “All Along the Watchtower.” Their set ended with Neil joining them on a weird version of “The Banjo Song (Oh! Susannah”). Arcade Fire was the last non-Neil act on both days (although Neil did join them for a cover of his “Helpless”).
Tim Reynolds, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at the 25th annual Bridge School Benefit.
October 22, 2011
(John Davisson)
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25th annual Bridge School Benefit.
October 23, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Neil ended the show with a short solo set followed by the traditional finale in which many of the performers come out for a song (this year it was “Get Together”).
It was yet another great Bridge School Benefit for the history books. Sure there is the CD/DVD that was recently released and there are posters available on the internet from the Bridge School as well as video on YouTube. But it still doesn’t compare to being there and feeling the vibe at the show. That’s why I go every year.
Neil Young and his friends closing the 25th annual Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, Calif., at the Shoreline Amph.
October 23, 2011
(John Davisson)
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Click here to see more Bridge School Benefit photos taken by John Davisson.
--John Davisson