Just one day after confirming the death of co-founding member Andy Goessling, jamgrass titans Railroad Earth took the stage for the first of two headlining performances at Hillberry: The Harvest Moon Festival on The Farm in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Railroad Earth’s Saturday night show included an emotional tribute to Andy, while the band was joined by bluegrass legend Sam Bush for a portion of their first set on Sunday.
Railroad Earth was joined by Matt Slocum of The Magpie Salute on keyboards throughout the weekend. The band opened on Saturday with “Sing For Me” featuring lyrics penned by Hazel Dickens that were quoted in a statement RRE posted announcing Andy’s passing. Mandolinist John Skehan then stepped up to the mic and told the crowd they would play the last tune he had the privilege of playing with Goessling. Railroad Earth performed “Tabhair Dom Do Lámh,” a 17th century Irish instrumental written by Ruaidri Dáll Ó Catháin. The English translation of the title is “Give Me Your Hand.”
The group continued on with the classic “Long Way To Go” and went on to deliver a career-spanning mix of material through the rain and tears. RRE fit in a handful of covers including Tom Waits’ “Cold Water,” Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” and the Grateful Dead’s “Terrapin Station.” Guitarist Todd Sheaffer took a moment towards the end of the show to talk about the difficult few days the band had and to thank all of the fans for the love and support they’ve received. Railroad Earth returned to the stage on Sunday for a show that saw them joined by Sam Bush for “Where Songs Begin” and “Fisherman’s Blues” to end the opening stanza. The group treated fans to plenty of staples such as “Head,” “Dandelion Wine,” “Lordy, Lordy” and “The Hunting Song.” Watch video streamed by RRE of Saturday’s concert:
Setlists
Saturday, October 13
Set One: Sing For Me, Tabhair dom do Lámh, Long Way To Go, Saddle of the Sun, Grandfather Mountain, Mourning Flies, Came Up Smilin’, Cold Water, Storms
Set Two: Harvest Moon, Elko, Blazin’ A Trail, Bird In A House, For Love, Birds Of America > 1759 > Terrapin Station > Seven Story Mountain
Note: This show featured Matt Slocum on keyboards
Sunday, October 14
Set One: Soul of a Man, Lordy, Lordy, Head, Dandelion Wine, Farewell To Isinglass > Raven’s Child, Where Songs Begin (A) > Fisherman’s Blues (A)
Set Two: Walk Beside Me, Chasin’ a Rainbow, Mighty River, Addin’ My Voice > Lone Croft Farewell, The Hunting Song, Captain Nowhere, Like A Buddha
Note: This show featured Matt Slocum on keyboards
(A) with Sam Bush on Violin
