While John Boehner was canceling, then postponing, a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on the first 9 billion dollars in relief funds for Sandy-devastated areas, the Jersey Shore came out to do some fundraising of their own at The Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. On the Beach -- A Sandy Relief Concert brought together bands and artists from the Jersey Shore and across the country to celebrate and to raise some much-needed money for several non-profits engaged in the hard work of rebuilding following Superstorm Sandy. The theme echoed throughout the night was that, while no one ever wishes for a tragedy like Sandy, it's sometimes through events like the storm that communities come together and grow stronger.
Organized by three guys from Jersey -- activist Tim Donnelly, original Asbury Juke and concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi, and photographer, filmmaker, harmonica player Danny Clinch -- On the Beach was roughly 6 hours of music headlined by My Morning Jacket from Louisville, Kentucky. Throughout the evening, host Matt Pinfield brought out representatives from the various non-profits benefitting from the event -- RebuildRecover, Coastal Habitat for Humanity, The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Waves for Water, and Food for Thought by the Sea -- to discuss the work they do. Each painted a picture of some hard work ahead, but Waves for Water's Jon Rose summed everything up when he called the Jersey Shore a "shining example" of a community coming together in a time of need.
Originally slated to start at 7pm, the start time for the concert was pushed up to accomodate some late additions (Steve Earle, The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon) to the bill. The Tangiers Blues Band, with Danny Clinch on harmonica, opened the show at around 6:20 as much of the audience was still arriving. They played an energetic set that included some blues-style covers of well-known songs like "Fight for Your Right to Party." The sound was great, as it would be all night. The Tangiers Blues Band were followed by Toms River's River City Extension and Shark River Hills' Nicole Atkins. Despite playing abbreviated versions of their sets to less than a packed house, River City Extension and Nicole Atkins were each just as good as they were when I saw them last year. As locals affected directly by Sandy, each expressed their happiness at being included on the bill and their heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of support. "It means a lot to us that you're here tonight," said River City Extension's Joe Michelini.
The house was starting to fill when Akron, Ohio's Joseph Arthur took the stage, delivering an excellent set marked by some serious guitar heroics. The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon did a short, acoustic set that included "National Anthem" off of the band's latest album, Handwritten. It's a song that's developed an association with Sandy and its aftermath. Fallon mentioned his excitement at being able to see Steve Earle who followed. Earle made a quick reference to Speaker Boehner as he began his set, intentionally mispronouncing the congressman's name for effect. And then it was time for The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
The theater was full as The Preservation Hall Jazz Band took the stage, and they got the crowd moving wildly to their Dixieland jazz. They were joined by Jim James of My Morning Jacket for two rousing songs. One of the most moving moments of the evening had to be The Preservation Hall Jazz Band's performance with Steve Earle of his song "This City" with its lyrics of "This city won't wash away / This city won't ever drown." Ben Jaffe, the band's director and tuba player, stepped to the mic to say how important the band felt it was to pay back the support New Orleans received following Hurricane Katrina. He spoke, again, of how the hard work following a tragedy strengthened the bonds of community.
Finally, at around 11pm, most of the fans in attendance got what they came for as My Morning Jacket took the stage. I'll admit to being a My Morning Jacket neophyte, but their live show -- especially in a small space like The Paramount Theatre -- is something to behold. Their psychedelic, 1970's inspired rock brought the entire crowd to its feet for the duration of their more than 90-minute set. For the encore, the band was joined by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. There was a nod to Asbury Park in the form of a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart." Nicole Atkins and Danny Clinch joined both bands on stage for a song in another of the evening's memorable moments.
I suppose that congress will eventually do what needs to be done to get relief to those affected by Superstorm Sandy. A few people, through a single rock concert, could never hope to raise funds on a scale similar to that of the U.S. government. Though, if what I saw last night from the organizers, the non-profits, the staff, the bands, and the audience -- people from all over the country -- is any indication, it won't be for any lack of trying.
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