Terrapin Presents Gathering of the Vibes 6/29-7/1/01. I would never attend a festival like this, unless I was working it, which I was. Three days of peace, love, and mud just don’t grab me. But there were a few highlights. Many sets were compressed into all-star jams, because of downtime from the rain, but I enjoyed the Tom Tom Club, who played by themselves. Ray Manzarek did a little more than phone it in, then was off for Paris, The Wailers were finding their groove when the skies opened up and you could tell they would have preferred to play then pack it in -- pay or no pay. Merl Saunders & His Funky Friends was a neat set, and even Bruce Hornsby played a perfectly enjoyable set. BUT there was one true surprise. Damn! Robert Randolph, who at the time had only one available recording - a sampler distributed at the show, was new to me. Randolph plays pedal steel guitar. I was transported during his set, and though it had real gospel qualities, really moving. Afterwards, I read he grew up in the “sacred steel” tradition of the House of God church, where pedal and lap steel guitars are prominent in religious ceremonies. He only recently started playing secular shows and I’d love to catch him again. He played a jam, later in the festival, and shone brighter than anyone else on stage. Really an amazing player. This is a musician I would advise you not to miss. If an opportunity arises to catch him, don’t blow it. The promo EP, entitled “What is the Word,” promises a ropeadope records release “The Word” which should be out by now. Find it. - Ment