I wasn’t about to miss going to Summerfest this year, just because I moved 80 miles to the west this past December. However, geography did have an influence on the number of days I went (two compared to my annual average of six days while living in the Milwaukee area).

Day one for me ended with another outstanding performance of one of my favorite bands, Los Lobos. Los Lobos is one of those bands I’ve seen so often I don’t know how many times it’s been, but they never fail to disappoint. Highlights from this show included a cover of Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” and songs from their back catalog, like “Evangeline” and “Don’t Worry Baby.”

Day two was a full night with three performances which exceeded my expectations. First, was Michelle Shocked. She and her band played a solid set with a good mix of new songs and some of her more well known tracks like “Anchorage” and “Come A Long Way.”

Next I saw a new band, Blue Merle. Often compared with the Dave Matthews Band, Blue Merle puts it’s own (and thankfully less free-flowing) spin on the jam band style. It’s hard for me not to like a modern, young band with mandolin and fiddle players, which plays that kind of music. I also enjoyed their taste in cover songs when they played the Talking Head’s “Psycho Killer” and “So Lonely” from the Police.

The evening ended for me with my favorite performance of both nights when I went to see Lucinda Williams. Often mislabeled as a country artist, Lucinda Williams is perhaps best filed under roots rock. In fact, the friend I was with called her the perfect example of American roots rock. Sometimes the county sound is there, but she and her band can also knock the house down with blistering rock and roll. I was very impressed with her choice of backing musicians. The guitar player’s talent was especially evident as he musically pulled the strong emotions in Lucinda’s songwriting through his guitar strings and out to the audience. My favorite song of the night was the Byrds influenced song, “Drunken Angel.” Those jangly guitar sounds fit perfectly with Lucinda Williams’ voice and style.