The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: COURTESY KATIE ANDREW Fans gather to watch live shows during the All Good Music Festival in Masontown, W.Va. All Good, in its 12th year, featured artists such as Phil Lesh, Bass Nectar and Dark Star Orchestra. [Click to enlarge]

Masontown, W.Va. July 11-13

Open skies, righteous jams and naked hippies! Let it be known, there was nothing bad about All Good.

Nestled high in the unsuspecting mountain country of Masontown, W.Va., All Good Music Festival is a favorite among the most true and devoted freaks. All Good celebrated its 12th year in operation, which is pretty impressive considering it's hosted in a town with a population of about 700.

If you're looking for a relatively intimate, low-stress environment, look no further than Marvin's Mountaintop.

Because the festival hosts fewer big-name bands and thousands less people it meant a generally more pleasant experience than some larger festivals for many reasons - security was light, camping was a free-for-all and there was port-a-potty-a-plenty.

With breathtaking scenery, gifted musicians and an energetic audience combined, you couldn't have asked for a more gratifying live music experience.

On Friday night, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals tore up the main stage, along with Phil Lesh, SOJA and Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood. Gov't Mule put on an unforgettably powerful show around 3 a.m. to wrap up the evening.

Saturday's festivities were launched by a lunchtime Outformation set, followed by several other bands that are no stranger to Athens venues: Telepath, Pnuma Trio, Keller Williams and Bassnectar.

Widespread Panic played an electrifying show with guests Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers and his wife, matriarch of the blues, Susan Tedeschi. The crowd couldn't get enough of this harmonious collaboration, and Panic returned to the stage for a hefty encore after hours of jamming.

Dark Star Orchestra closed with a late-night performance so synonymous to The Grateful Dead it was eerie.

JJ Grey & MOFRO took the stage Sunday afternoon, followed by deSol and Railroad Earth.

Michael Franti & Spearhead, long-time All Good favorite, bid all a good night as it concluded the weekend's revelries. All Good considered, it was definitely worth it.

- Katie Andrew

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